Happy Birthday Grandma

It's sure to be the best one yet

Though you left us here behind,

Did you think that we'd forget?

Your cake this year will surely

Be a beauty to behold

With the icing made of silver

And the candles made of gold.

Yes your birthday in Heaven

Will be such a grand affair

And I know you will look lovely

With a halo in your hair.

The angels will come from everywhere

To sing your birthday song

And we know they are so happy

That you have joined God's home.

Now I can't send you a card this year

Or give you a gift so fine

So I'll just send a special prayer

To that wonderful Grandmother of mine! 

Happy Birthday Grandma!  I love you so much!  XOXOXOX

Another recent memory that I got to thinking about is when you were at St. John's Nursing Home.  Mom, Lowell and I were there visiting and we were in the social area.  There was a gentlemen in there and he was ummm exposing himself!   You thought it was a girl and kept referring to him as "she" and "her",   I whispered to you ... "Umm Grandma, thats a man ~ he's showing his winkie"  and you looked over at him and very seriously you whispered back to me  "Ohhhh, is that what that is?"   Then you couldn't stop looking at him! We both laughed.  I never laughed so hard in my life and I still laugh just thinking about that!

Being at your house this evening, made me miss you even more than I have been.  I think it's the fact that you weren't there and I am not use to being in your home when you aren't!   Seeing your chair in the living room empty made me sad, but I tried to focus on the memories you've created for us when we did come to your home and I found comfort in doing that!   I thought about coming over every Halloween and you always had to take our picture over by the steps and we always got Reese Cups!  I remembered the times we came over and watched wrestling on Saturday nights and the smell of your Apple Dumplin's!   So I wanted to thank you for the memories you have provided me from childhood through adulthood.   Still missing you like crazy ..... XOXOXOXO   Love you Grandma!

I was upset because my car broke down yesterday.  Forgive me for being upset Grandma.  I now know you probably had a hand in that.  You didn't want me driving the "green machine" in this bad weather and it was your way of keeping me safe.  I know it was a blessing.  Thank you Grandma..my Angel.  I love you so much and feeling your arms around me comforts me greatly.

Let's not forget granddaughter Holly - probably the most like mom. She loves to cook (and let me tell you she doesn't get that from her own mom). She is a people pleaser. She has a special bond with grandma and grandma loved her so very much. Don't ever forget that special letter grandma wrote to you when you were pregnant. Remember Chelsie was the only great grandchild that she watched and what a special bond they had. We all know how much mom loved her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. She made sure to show us all when she was living - that is the greatest gift of all. 

Grandma loved her two children and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren very much:

Mom (Barb): You were Grandma's baby. Mom I saw how much love there was between you and Grandma.  I only hope I have given you the love that I have seen you give Grandma.  You were a great daughter and she loved you so much.  Remember the good times and the trips we went on and all the peed pants :) I know how proud she was of you and you should be proud of yourself for allowing her to know everyday how much she meant to you. 

Aunt Peg (Peggy):  I could say ditto to what I said above :)  You were the first born, the mischievious one.  Grandma would tell stories of how you used to almost start fires and get into things when you were suppose to be sleeping, but she would always tell them with smile and laugh.  You loved her so much we could see and she felt the same I know.

Dad (Bob):  You were Grandma's son.  She loved you so very much.  She was your mother, everything a mother should be.  You and her shared special times shopping and going on vacation.  Don't ever forget how much love she had for you.

Mike: Grandma's first Grandchild. You were her Baby Jesus, and I say that in a good way. I say that with a smile because we all knew how much she loved you as you did her.  Remember all the memories you had with her (staying over night, helping her at the house, etc), because that it what will keep her memory alive.

Chris: Grandma's first granddaughter.  She loved you so much.  You helped Grandma so much especially lately and we love you for that.  You were Grandma's favorite "smoking buddy" and I am sure when we meet her again she'll tell us "don't tell your mom"

Brian: Grandma loved you dearly.  You being born on Great Grandma's birthday was I am sure a joy to her. You gave Grandma her first Great Grandchild.  Growing up you were never one for mushiness and showing emotions but Grandma always broke down those walls.  You would always give Grandma hugs and kisses naturally.

Keri:  I remember all the times you helped Grandma and Grandpa. You would help with Grandpa when he was a pain with having his blood taken and you would always check on them at the hospital and make sure they were taken care of properly.  We are so grateful for that.  Grandma loved you so much! And I know you loved her dearly as well.

Rob:  You will always be Grandma's "Robby"...the only one who still gets away with calling you that.  Grandma enjoyed drinking with you those days of your bonding at/before bowling.  She loved that time with you and I am sure you made her feel young again. There is a special place in Grandma's heart for you and she loved you so.

Lowell:  Grandma loved you and saw you as her Grandson.  You helped her out so much and she loved you for that and appreciated it greatly.  Thank you for all you have done for Grandma and thank you for caring about her as much as you did.

Ray:  You were the mischievious one, giving Grandma shots of wiskey and treating Grandma like a young lady.  I am sure she loved you for that.  I remember you call Grandma the "silver fox" with her hair and how nice it looked.

Stacey:  Even though you and Rob aren't technically married yet, Grandma still thought of you as a Granddaughter and she is still Grandma.  Grandma loved you and the Great Grandbabies you and Rob gave her.

BJ:  You were Grandma's first Great Grandchild, the first Great Grandson.  What a special bond that is. Oh what joy that brought to Grandma.  Oh how she loved you!  You made Grandma proud BJ and Grandma loved you so much.

Chelsie:  You were Grandma's first Great Granddaughter.  You and Grandma shared that special bond especially since she watched you so much when Mommy was still in school.  And sharing a birthday with Grandpa.  Grandma loved you so much.

Sammi:  Even though you are 4 and may not have a lot of memories of Grandma, she loved you sweet girl.  You and Grammy and Great MeMaw would spend the day together on Thursdays and spend many days having picnics in the park.

Mikey:  You share such a special bond with Grandma....your birthday.  How honored Grandma must have felt so when you were born on her birthday.  So I want you to remember every birthday you have how much Grandma loved you.

Dylan:  Grandma loved you.  How happy you made Grandma when you would come to visit her and how happy you made her on Halloween would you would come in town to see her.  Just seeing you and your brother would light her eyes up.

Natalie:  Natalie you were so young when Grandma passed and you may not remember her physically but we all will make sure you remember her memory very well.  Although Grandma only had 2 years with you she loved you very much.

Carson:  You were Great Grandma's youngest Great Grandchild and was born a few months before she went to Heaven.  And in those few months already grew such a great love.  Even though she was afraid to hold you, she would look at you and smile and say how cute you were.

Big Mike:  You were very special to Grandma and she love you greatly.  She would always talk about you and even though she sometimes got confused and thought you were in the hospital :), she was always concerned.