Today I said goodbye. I said goodbye to one of the most influential people in my life. She is my grandmother, my mentor, my friend. GG put up with so much from me as a child- my crazy antics, my attitude, my lack of focus during piano lessons, and my obsession with being the banker every time we played Monopoly. GG even came over to our house to watch me when we had an ice storm. She slipped and fell on the ice, and still stayed with me all day. This is an example of the kindness GG showed to everyone that was willing to receive it.
Over the years, GG and I bonded over chocolate, board games, and mysteries. While we waited for Mandy to get out of middle school, we listened to tapes of Sherlock Holmes and made up stories about people as they walked by. The running joke for GG and I was always about being G&L. She tried so hard to get me to be more gentle and ladylike, but I was too stubborn. I know she is proud of me now for dressing like a lady, although I’m still working on acting like one. ;o)
As the years went by, our relationship changed into something much deeper. We went from spending Wednesday afternoons together for piano lessons to meeting for lunch each Friday after my college classes were over. Those afternoons were some of my most treasured that I spent with GG. Our conversations got much deeper at this time, and sure enough, GG became someone I relied upon greatly. I guess the bond was felt on her side too. One weekend, she invited me to go with her to San Antonio. We talked and talked, just as we both loved to do. We drove in silence and enjoyed the peaceful summer day. And then something really cool happened – GG shared something with me that she hadn’t ever shared before. She told me all these neat stories about when she first started dating Grandfather. These little anecdotes just brought her to life! What a special time to hear and see her act like a young woman just meeting the man of her dreams.
As the years went by, I made the tough decision to move to San Antonio. The days of spending time with GG and Grandma became a thing of the past. Boy did I miss them, and looked forward to each time I could visit them. And then I went through the hardest day of my life to date- I lost Grandma. On that day, GG and my’s bond became even closer. GG just stood with me or sat by me and let me hug her and cry on her shoulder. She was the only person that could provide me with solace that day. This was a difficult loss for her too, as Grandma was her friend, but because GG is so full of kindness and love, she put me above her own struggles.
And that is the challenge that GG has left me with. Her legacy is to show others kindness as Jesus did! This challenge is one that I will take seriously because I want to know that GG is going to look down at me and see that I trying my best to carry on her legacy.
Today I said goodbye. All we needed was that one moment. As I was talking to her, she heard my voice, and she opened her eyes. We looked straight into each other’s eyes, and it was like staring into a mirror. The she gave me a quick smile, and I knew she was telling me she is ready to go home. In that moment, I realized it was time to let go and treasure all the beautiful moments God blessed us with. Our love will never die because it will live on in my heart. And I anxiously await the moment when we are reunited in heaven.
