It’s been really hard without you. You have been on my mind a lot more. Caitlin prays that God gives you a hug from her daily. Now this week Buddy has gone to be with you this week. Caitlin gave buddy a message for you and Jesus.

A year ago today was the last time I physically saw you alive. You had a walker and didn’t look well. My brand new umbrella for my table broke and my daughter lost her gym shoe. I still think she threw the one shoe out since toddlers are weird like that. I was distracted by silly things. If I knew that would have been the last time I would have thanked you for always being there for my kids. Thanks for purposely irritating me by buying them a bunch of junk to make them happy. You had the grandparent role while I had the mean mother role. My oldest adored you and still does. She still talks about last Easter. She doesn’t remember the walker or you having trouble getting around. She remembers spending time with you. I still think about our conversation about a rain check for you to go fishing with my kiddos on the 30th. The hardest thing I have done in my life was fight back the tears and put my kids to bed that night because I knew your son was going to come home broken. It was hard to tell my children that grandma can’t do that rain check for fishing the next morning. You just can’t replace a devoted grandma that poured all her love into the children. Now I have the role of deciding what goes into those Easter baskets that you gave them last year but it doesn’t feel enough. I wish I would have told you last year how important you were to my kids and how Caitlin adored you.

Mom always encouraged us to try. She was happy when I started going back to school. I finished part one and plan on pushing forward. We love you and miss you. It’s been really hard without you.

Jose, Dan, Samuel and the entire family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Anyone who had interaction with Cathy is a better person because of it. O remember when my Dad was in the hospital, Cathy made sure to sit with me in the waiting room. A quiet spirit, you could sense her prayers. She never sought attention, just plugged ahead. Cathy, I can only imagine the joy that surrounds you. I have some people up there you've probably met by now. We mourn, not as others, but we mourn. I wish every comfort to the family.

There were many kind gestures when my father died two years ago. Cathy and Jose brought food and drinks in to the funeral home with no fanfare whatsoever. In fact, I didn't even know they had done it until I went to clean up the kitchen. That was Cathy. She was a quiet, gentle light in a very dark world.

She adored all of her grandchildren, three of whom we shared. She was always ready to play a board game or card game with Caitlin. She was always ready to work on a craft , color Easter eggs, or celebrate birthdays and holidays. She had patience and that is key when you are dealing with children.

She worked hard at Christ Hospital. She truly amazed me with her ability to overcome obstacles. I remember talking to her about the long hours that she put in at work. She never complained. She was a Christ follower who "walked the talk." I never heard her say a mean thing about anyone. We could all take a page out of her book. That book was the Holy Bible and she lived it. She was an inspiration to me.

She is glorifying God in Heaven now. She doesn't have to be in pain or work long hard hours. I am very happy for her. I am extremely sad for our grandchildren. She is already missed by those who got to know her. Her memory will be honored.