Dearest Grandma, I am writing to you because there are so many things I want to say to you that I never did in my 18 years of knowing you. First of all, I know you are smiling down on me as I write this letter to you. There is no doubt in my mind you are among the angels and took the highway to heaven-like the 70 mph highway, not the 55 mph highways under construction. You are the most amazing woman I have ever known on this earth. Your constant love, kindness, and humility to each and every one of your 38 grandkids is almost impossible to comprehend. The most important thing I will forever remember about you, Grandma, is your faith. As you raised my mother to keep God at the center of her life, she has passed that down to me. When I was younger, I never thought it was strange that I went to Mass twice a week, said the rosary during long car rides, or did the sign of the cross every time I heard an ambulance. As I have gotten older, I have realized my family is unique in these times of the 21st century. Although unique, it has shaped me into the person I am today and the person I hope to be in the future. Even though my faith is a constant rollercoaster of ups and downs, you are my inspiration to keep God as my number one. You are what I look up to for how I want to be when I am 95 years old-surrounded by love, family, and faith. The connotation to a funeral is always sad, dark, and gloomy; however, your funeral was full of hope, love, and cherished memories. 95 years of memories. Although tears were shed, they were shed because of your impact on this world. They were shed when your grandchildren played Amazing Grace on violin. They were shed when the scripture readings impeccably described you. They were shed when we reminisced on memory after memory (especially your caramel rolls). They were shed when we looked around at all of the family gathered together and realized you started all of it. You started a supportive, loving, faithful family. These past couple of years have been difficult with your dementia, but I know deep down you still loved and prayed for each and every one of us every single day. I am looking forward to the day we can meet again, and I can say all of these words to you. Until then, I hope to be a little more like you each and every day. Thank you for being my biggest role model on this earth, and showing me the impact one little lady can have on the world. Love you a bushel & a peck, Josephine
1 Comment
On this first day of the new year, I can't help but look back and reflect on this past year. It has brought me so many joys, but also more challenges than any other year I can recall. Graduating high school, going to college, and starting over are not the easiest things to do after living with my parents for the past 18 years. I am still trying to figure it all out. Aside the best senior year I could have asked for and a summer filled with memories beyond belief, college has changed me as an individual, for the better I suppose. Living on my own these past 4 months has taught me a lot about myself, but most of all it has taught me I have so much more to learn in life. It all started with my laundry. All semester when I was doing my laundry, I would always put the POD into the soap compartment. Needless to say, if you know anything about laundry that is not how to use a POD. You have to put it directly into the washing machine with your clothes. Well, about a week ago I finally realized it when I overheard someone complaining about how there were always PODs left in the soap compartment. To all my fellow T-Hall residents: I'm sorry for leaving my PODs and making your lives a little harder. Anyways, laundry aside, I have a lot of learning to do. So instead of "eating healthier" or "exercising more", I want to keep learning every single day for the year ahead. I want to keep figuring life out, taking risks, exploring the world, finding who I am, and making some memories while I'm at it. Here's to another year of unexpected greatness. 2015, it's been real. |
Archives
May 2017
Categories |