Grandmas are special

My dear, dear friend Shannon's grandma passed away last week. I saw someone post to her Facebook wall a note expressing their sympathies and noting that, "Grandmas are special people." Isn't that the truth? My own Grams passed last January 22nd so the pain of my own loss was fresh in my mind as I entered the funeral home. It was a wonderful scene, really. Shannon's grandma, Bonita, hadn't wanted the Christmas tree to come down last year in her room so the family kept it up and redecorated it for the different holidays throughout the year. At the funeral home there were six Christmas trees all decorated for different holidays (think Easter and July 4th). I LOVED it. Isn't that a way to be remembered? As someone who didn't want to stop celebrating? What a lovely legacy. I was already just torn up for Shannon and her family when I spotted her granda. My heart absolutely fell to pieces to see him sitting by his wife's casket with tears welling in his eyes. According to obituary they had been married for over 64 years. 64 years! That's beautiful. I was just so sad that he was going to be without his beloved. Isn't that what love does to you? 64 years isn't enough!

I wish there were words to comfort people in such times, but they do not exist. Your memories bring you comfort, I've found. I love nothing more than to laugh at times I had with my own Grams. I like to listen to Susie talk about memories she shared with Jackson's dad like they were events that happened only yesterday. Here's hoping that Shannon and her family can find comfort in the happy memories that I'm certain are great in number. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this tough time.

Also, here's to remembering to hold our loved ones a little closer, a little more often so that they know just how special they really are to us.