My Granny

Let me start by saying, this post started out as a Flashback Friday post for a picture I found with my Granny & Granddad taken my senior year of high school (the softball picture below).  The more I typed, the more I couldn't stop typing so I decided it needed to be a post of its own.  Enjoy... 

I have 2 unbelievably amazing grandmothers.  One is still living and I call her "Grandma" (my Dad's Mom). The other passed away on December 31, 2001 and I called her "Granny" (my Mom's Mom).  She was the most kind gentle, dainty, selfless, amazing human being you'll ever meet.  I can still remember so much about her.  I can remember her smell.  I can remember her little hands. I can remember the way she would hang up the telephone every time with her Southern drawn out "byyyyyyye."  She honestly was everything I want to be.  I could write about both of my grandmothers but for today I am going to use this post to tell you a little more about my one of a kind Granny.

I grew up living right across the street from her so there were many days that I would hop across the street to Granny's house just to see her (and Granddad, too).  If it was around lunch time, she would always make me something to eat.  Usually a simple sandwich, yet to this day I still think her sandwiches were better than any sandwich I have ever made myself.  She'd always change it up, too, whether it be grilled cheese or roast beef (and I'm not talking deli meat, I'm talking leftover roast from dinner the night before - YUM), chicken salad, or even a hot dog wrapped up in a slice of bread.  And of course it wasn't just her sandwiches that were scrumptious.  She was an absolutely amazing cook!  Peanut butter pie, mashed potatoes, sour dough bread, macaroni & cheese, green beans...you name it, she could make it and it would always be delicious.  My mouth is watering just typing this.

Me probably trying to decide what to eat :)

I never in my 18 years of knowing Granny ever heard her say one bad word about anyone.  She loved everyone.  She took care of everyone.  If I brought a friend to Easter dinner (or if anyone did) she would always be able to scrounge up some extra goodies & make an Easter basket for them so they wouldn't be left out.  Before she passed away, there were 20 of us in my family and she would have an Easter basket for each of us on Easter Sunday.  Every. Single. Year.  Even at Christmas she would have 4-5 wrapped presents for every one of us.  Don't ask me how she did it! 

In elementary school we had "Grandparents Day".  All four of my Grandparents would come & I was always so proud.  Granny would always bring a little treat for everyone in my class.  I can't remember any other Grandparent there ever doing that.  That was just how Granny was, always thinking of others.  Growing up, every Friday night Granny & Granddad would go to the local Valley Mall.  They would eat dinner & then Granddad would sit around in the food court & talk to his friends while Granny would shop.  (Maybe that is when she started buying all those Christmas gifts!)  If our parents would happen to take us in there on a Friday night or if we happened to be staying with them then Granny would always give us a $1 to go spend at the Dollar Tree. Or even if we saw them at one of our cousin's or sibling's ball games, she would always give us money to go get a treat at the concession stand.

I was in college 1 semester before Granny passed away.  There were 5 grandchildren older than me so I had heard stories of the amazing care packages she would send to school. And I heard stories about the money she would slip into your pocket before you would head back to school after being home.  And on top of that, I heard about how she would mail you handwritten letters, which in 2001 it was not common to get handwritten letters, email, yes, but handwritten letters, no.  And I forgot to mention, those handwritten letters would always come with a $20 bill inside. If any of the grandchildren were home on break from college she would slip us a $20 dollar bill without Granddad knowing and then follow up by telling him to give us some money before we headed back.  So we'd always end up driving back to school with $40 cash in our pocket.  That would make any poor college kid happy. :) Of course we were always very grateful, too. Even though I only had 1 semester of all of the above, I still feel so truly blessed to have been able to experience it at all and wish so much that the 3 grandchildren below me could have had that chance as well.  

She definitely taught me to love with all that I have.  The way she loved Granddad made me always long for that kind of love and made me realize not to not settle for anything less.  The kind of love that is 100% unconditional.  The kind that has you holding hands even when you're 70 years old.  The kind that keeps you as happy as you ever were when you're celebrating 54 years together.  Yes, they were married 54 years before she passed.  They were just as in love with each other (actually no, they were more in love with each other) every day that passed.  I thought it was so cute that Granny called Granddad, "Dad" and he called her, "Mom."  I don't know why they did that but I thought it was so endearing in its own little way. They were respectful of one another, they were loyal to one another, and they are everything that I want to be on my 54th wedding anniversary and every year leading up to that. If only everyone loved like they did, this world would be a different place.
   

In all my years of playing sports Granny & Granddad honestly didn't miss very many of my games (from what I can remember). And there were 8 other grandchildren so they spent a lot of time on bleachers. I love the picture below especially because it represents just that, she (& Granddad) were our #1 cheerleaders!

Spring 2001 - My senior year after a softball game

Even as we are approaching the 10 year anniversary of her death, I know for a fact that she is still our #1 cheerleader. I miss her more than words can ever describe. I think about her often. I sometimes can't even believe its been 10 years.  I try not to be sad that she never got to meet Ryan. However, I'm pretty sure she had a hand in us finding each other. So for that, I'm grateful to have had a perfect angel helping me find my soulmate. If she were still here, I know she would love him just as much as her own grandchildren and that in itself, makes me smile.

My high school graduation party

Granny, I can not wait to one day be reunited in your arms.  I can't wait to give you the biggest hug and thank you for showing me what it's like to be a dainty lady, a devoted Christian, a loving wife, and a selfless human being.  I can only pray that one day I will have grandchildren that think of me the way I thought of you, with complete admiration. Even though you're not physically here, I can still feel your warmth and know you are ever-present no matter what.  I love you and I miss you.  Keep watching over us and keep taking care of Granddad, too.  He misses you, but we know you sure do miss him, too. It brings tears to me eyes just thinking how beautiful your reunion will be one day. xo