Thursday, December 12, 2013
Dear Grandma,
The world may have lost one fiery woman on Dec. 9, but on the bright side, heaven just welcomed its newest angel.
In my eyes Grandma, you were an amazing person and an inspiration.
I will never forget how gifted you were with your hands. Few people these days can sew or knit with the skill you commanded. From making tailor-made school clothes for your children to blankets and slippers for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, your handiwork has been a part of my life for as long as I remember.
When I first moved to Montana, every Christmas Jessica and I would look forward to getting a new pair of your knitted slippers to replace our worn-out ones from the year before. No matter how cold it got in the cabin, those slippers always kept us comfortable and warm. We marveled at their craftsmanship and your, shall we say, interesting color patterns. It's OK, we knew you were just using up your mountain of leftover yarn. But knitting wasn't your only talent; you also worked wonders in the kitchen.
As a young boy I remember hovering around your stove when you baked cinnamon bread. Even back then, I knew I could have eaten the whole loaf — if only Grandpa's sweet tooth would have let me — but it never did.
I must have been about 5 years old when Grandpa asked me if I wanted a cup of coffee to go along with your cinnamon bread. I thought that I was soooo cool to be drinking coffee — just like Grandpa — with my sugar.
Boy, you found out about it and yelled at him in that booming voice of yours: "STAAAANNNNN."
To which he just gave me a sheepish grin and chuckled.
Growing up, I must have witnessed a hundred of those "STAN" moments between you and Grandpa. But it made me smile, too. Over time, it showed me how much you two loved each other like grandparents and a husband and wife should. So thank you for giving him a hard time. You knew he deserved it every once in a while!
Grandma, you were also one of the most competitive people I've ever known. It didn't matter if you were playing BINGO at St. Helens or cards against your grandkids, you were in it to win it and I loved that about you. Your will to win didn't stop at the BINGO table though.
I will never forget the last time we drove together. You must have been in your early 80s. That day we were leaving Lynette's house at the same time as my Uncle Rick and he jokingly challenged you to a race back to my house.
He should have known better.
You got so fired up, you said something smart to him and we hopped in the car and sped off. In those days Rick was known for having a lead foot and I think that made you smile even more when we beat him. Driving yourself around town was one of your biggest joys and I know how much that hurt a few years later when you lost that independence.
It's bittersweet to write these words for you, but it is also comforting that you finally made it to heaven to be with Grandpa and your three boys that you missed so much. For that I am truly happy for you.
Someday when I get to heaven, I look forward to going on another ride with you.
And I can't wait to see you drive again.
Love always.
Your grandson,
Chris
