My grandma Mary died on Saturday. She wasn't my biological grandma; she was technically my step grandmother. But that sounds so ridiculous, don't you think? In my heart, and in hers, she is my grandma. Since I was ten years old, she has loved me, fed me, hugged me, taught me, and laughed with me. She accepted me from the first moment I walked into her home. When my daughter Katie was born, a relative stated that my Katie "wasn't really the first grandchild". My grandma said, "oh yes, she is."
When my son was born, my grandma flew down to visit. She laid down on the couch with that baby, and she sang and cooed to him for so long I thought they would both fall asleep.
On the day she died, I felt so empty, so helpless and pitiful. So, my daughter and I went and bought a beautiful candle and a candle holder. We lit it in rememberance of our beloved grandma.
I lit the candle
It was golden and beautiful
As I looked into it's flame
I realized that my grandma was a light
She taught us a love of good cooking
She taught us a love of travel
She taught us to live each day with joy
She taught us to chase our dreams
She taught us how to laugh
She taught us to be strong women
She taught us to stand up for our beliefs
She taught us how to embrace every day like it were the only one
She taught all of this by her example
She didn't just tell us stories
She lived them!
My grandma is a light
People were drawn to her because she shared that light
And now that light lives on
in the hearts of all she touched
We carry on her flame
it will never grow out.
As she dances with my grandpa Jack tonight, we remember not the darkness of her passing, but the bright, unending light she passed on to all of us.
Her flame grows brighter still.
Oh dear lady, how I miss you and love you. I will hold you in the light and you will live forever in my heart and in the hearts of my children. Three generations call you blessed, and generations to come will shine with the light you have left to us.
