While I am not one to jump in front of crowds to speak I felt it would be an honor to talk about my grandmother and what she means to me on the day her loved ones remembered her.  I know many of us have thought at one time or another what we would want to be said on the day people remember us.  What I have to say about my grandmother is something all of us would only hope to be said.  To her grandchildren and to me she is Dede so I'll refer to her that way.  Dede truly left a legacy behind.  She wasn't rich or famous, she didn't have a long list of acknowledged accomplisments written in papers.  Her legacy was simple but genuine.  She was a very loving person that knew and followed the Bible, that knew and believed in God.  SHe put family first and made friends wherever she went.  She had a quiet sense of humor and was accepting and calm.  She made her life dedicated to good deeds.  The way she lived her life is a true example for me to be a better person.  Not very many people can have that said on the day of their memorial service.  Not very many people can also claim to have one of the best grandmothers in the world.  To know you can make such a difference in a person's life by mentoring them and putting them first because they are family has become an inspiration to me and how I want to live my life.  I can think of all the advice Dede has given me throughout the years that I'd like to share with you- which I call 10 life lessons to continue Dede's legacy:

Lesson #1)  You need to collect something- we all know for Dede it was her stamp collection!  How I loved paging through her books to see the time she put into it.  Her frugal personality took used stamps to collect- it wasn't about making money or having the most impressive expensive collection.  It was about doing something fun and sharing it with others. 

Lesson #2)  Know your Bible.  I can't tell you how many times I would question something or find my faith faltering and I would pick up the phone to ask Dede what God would have to say about something.  She always knew the answer and it always uplifted me.  As kids she made sure she took her grandkids to bible study and when she moved to Arizona something we enjoyed doing together was going to one here.  Her lifelong friends were through her church and she continued to make friends thru bible study in the last months of her life.  She found comfort and gave comfort through Bible verses such as her favorite Psalm 23. 

Lesson #3)  Give back to your community.  Dede was always doing something for the less fortunate such as making hats and mittens for the babies in the nurseries thru church.  I remember going to her house and seeing her finished product lined up.  She loved to make things for other people. 

Lesson #4)  Put it in God's hands and pray- 2 years ago when our mom suffered from a brain aneurysm and became very ill Dede reassured us all we could do was put it in God's hands and pray.  For that, we thank you Dede for helping us keep our mom. 

Lesson #5)  You can't control what card you're dealt but you can control how you play the card.  Dede was a true example that things might not always go your way but it's important to accept it with grace and make the best of it. 

Lesson #6)  Speaking of cards- play them!  Use your brain and don't be idol.  Do crossword puzzles and read.  I think Dede may have been one of very few people on email at the age of 90! 

Lesson #7)  Stay loyal to the ones you love.  She was born a St. Louis Cardinals fan and died one even with constant pressure to turn to the Diamondbacks.  Dede stuck with things and people.  For this in return I promised her in her last few days that she would not be forgotten.  Even if I have to put a 20x20 picture of her up on the wall like she did of Susan in her house on Village Green.  That picture sat above Great Grandma's head for years and I think became a memorable focal point for us all.  Just one of the many examples of how family mattered to her.  Her prized possessions were her photographs of the ones she loved shown by her amazing photo album she created and shown.  How ironic that picture of Susan sat above Great Grandma- dede's love and devotion to her mom always impressed me and inspired me.  Where else would Great Grandma be in her aging years but in the room next to Dede.  Bill doesn't know this but for all her devotion I promised her we'd look after her "big boy".  We are his nieces but he's more than an uncle to us.  His love and support through the years is really just an extension of who Dede was and obviously what she taught him to be.   

 Lesson # 8)  Don't sweat the small stuff.  I don't know anyone who could go with the flow like Dede could.  You never heard her complain wether it be going on a bus in rural mexico or starting your life new in a brand new state.  Life was always good. 

Lesson #9)  Talk to your plants- that's how they grow!  All life matters and deserves to be well taken care of- plants thrived in her care, my dog cried she was so happy to see her when she came over, and her great grandchildren Loved to go see her.  For a bond to be close in a wide age gap from 5 years to 92 you know Dede could get on anyone's level to make them feel loved and special. 

Lesson #10)  one she told Susan and I on one of her last few days she was able to talk- know we will be together in the house of the Lord.  If there is anyone paving the way and being a guiding light for us it is our dearest Dede, Edna, and Mom.