Passing the torch

Yesterday my Grandma passed away, she was 88 so I can't say it was a shock. I am so grateful that she died peacefully in her sleep, she wasn't sick, so in a way it was a surprise.

My Grandma was the best woman I have ever known. I lost my mom at an early age and my Grandma help my Dad raise me. She was strong but gentle, she had an endless amount of love and generosity for her family. She would defend us, right or wrong, without question or hesitation. It is from my Grandma that I learned the meaning of being a family.

At her house birthdays were special, she would make you your favorite meal and dessert and gather the family together for a mini celebration.

At her house Christmas was magical, she would decorate the whole place, slave for hours making the traditional Christmas cookie - peppernuts. We would have a giant family Christmas eve where she made the best meatballs and Santa would always visit. And most of my Christmas pictures is all of us sitting in the same room in the same chairs (Grandma and Grandpa on the couch, Dad in the blue chair, Orene in the gold and Jason and I on the floor.)
At her house college football season was another holiday. We would set up several TVs in the living room to watch and turn the volume down so we could listen to the radio too – made sense to the adults. She would make more “finger foods” than we could eat and watch the Oklahoma Cowboys play and usually loose back then.

At her house everyday was a day that she did something special for us. Most of the time it went unrecognized. Grandma would make two batches of oatmeal cookies, one with raisins for me and one without for my cousin; she was almost always there when I got home from school; she sewed me some of the best clothes I have ever owned; she would keep our favorite foods stocked at her house; she would let me pick flowers from her garden to take to my teacher; she would make chocolate pudding in the middle of the week for no reason and to this day I still wish she was living with me to take care of me when I am sick.
I grew up thinking that we were like every other family - just like the Cunningham's on Happy Days. Now that I am grown I realize how special we really were. Most families are not as close as ours was. Most of my immediate family members are gone, which is sad for me but more so for my children.

So this is my life now, teaching my children all the amazing things that my Grandma (and Dad) taught me. Passing on to them the love and appreciation of family and keeping the traditions going. How I raise my kids will be my best tribute to them.