It is with deep sadness in my heart that I'm writing this now...even though we all knew that your time with us was limited, my first thought was: ..."it wasn't supposed to happen this soon..." But, I also know that I would have had the same thought even if these sad news had come at a later time...I feel so sad for Kannyn; you were such an important and amazing mother figure in his life. I feel so sad for Olivia, that she didn't get to spend more time with her Grammy. My heart goes out to Jennifer, Stone, Shayde, Jeff, Deanna, Bryce and Garrett. They lost a wonderful mother, grandma and mother-in-law. And, my heart cries for Gary, who lost the love of his life. The love they shared was true. I remember you giving me a little "relationship lesson": "What is important is respect, understanding, forgiveness, love and 'don't sweat the small stuff'...and the main thing: don't go to bed angry at each other!"
I only got to know you for two years...but I'm forever grateful for the way you from the first time we met you, welcomed Phillip, Victoria, Isabella and myself into your home. You were the grandma who would rearrange the living room so the kids could put up a tent in the room and "go camping"! You were the grandma who would let the kids pull out ALL the blankets and comforters from all over the house, so they could have a massive sleepover party in the den! My children were so lucky to get to know you...I know they are very sad in their hearts as well...
And, you NEVER gave up, Patty! You ALWAYS had such a positive energy about you. You would always see something positive in even something negative. Your glass was always half full! I remember when we came to see you after you had been in the hospital for 3 weeks. You were telling me how you now could see how some people would give up and loose hope after going thru what you went thru. You could understand how people would think they couldn't make it back up. BUT, YOU weren't giving up! You weren't like that! Even though you felt like you started completely on zero after those three weeks, you still had the willpower to slowly getting ur strength back. Taking tiny little walks every day. And every day doing a little bit more than the previous day! I admired you sooo much!
The last weekend we spent with you, the Jazz In The Pines weekend, was wonderful! You made it out to the concerts both days! We ended the first day with a great barbecue out on the deck with Billy and Amy. I'm still laughing about that. Gary had cooked two "beer bottom chickens" and they came out so delicious. But you, Patty, had told Gary to save the chicken wings for a late night snack for you! I guess you really loved those chicken wings! When Amy and Billy came, they were kind of wondering about the missing chicken wings(they also favored them!!). Anyway, it was kind of that awkward moment, and I don't remember now if it was you or Gary who just said: "Well, these two chickens came without the wings!" You could tell by the puzzled look on their faces that this was something they hadn't experienced before! But, nothing else was said, and we enjoyed the wingless chicken!!
But, Patty, you felt so bad about the whole thing (I kept telling you it was actually very funny!), so the next day you had Gary go out and buy a HUGE tray of chicken wings only(it must have been 40-50 wings on it), and had Billy and Amy come over for another deck hang! And when they came, you presented them the "missing wings"!!! We all had a good laugh about it!
Our last one on one conversation out on deck, is also very much preserved forever in my heart. You were telling me how you looked forward to Olivia starting to talk and she would call you Grammy. And you said we had to decide what Olivia was gonna call Gary. Since Olivia says "Pappa" to Kannyn, we would have to come up with a different one for Gary. We never decide on one.... I think maybe Granpapa could be an option...I wish you were here so you could tell me if you agree...
Patty, you will be missed by soooooo many people. Even though our hearts feel sad and empty and our eyes are filling up with tears, I THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being such a LOVING and AMAZING woman!
You will NEVER be forgotten...You Will Stay In Our Hearts and Memories Forever...
(I had added the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" on this slideshow, but silly Facebook wouldn't let me post it since I don't have the copyright to it!!!! (I know, Patty, don't sweat the small stuff!)