In memory / 9.24.12

I can't believe that time has flown by so fast - that somehow DH and I are leaving for the first leg of our honeymoon on Friday, how 72 hours has changed my life yet again.

1986

This morning at 2:30 my grandma passed away. Part of me can't believe that this is the second time in 5 months that I've lost a grandparent. I keep wishing that this wasn't real, but sadly this is real.

My grandma was an amazing woman. She always put her family first - whether it was working during the depression rolling tamales or making almond roca in a factory and giving all the money to her parents, to taking care of both sets of her parents when they became ill, to moving down to be closer to her mom so she could walk to visit her every day.

My grandparents on one of their many trips to Hawaii

My grandparents were married for almost 65 years when my grandpa passed away in 2007 and he was her entire world. I have never seen two people more devoted to each other, or who loved each other so much, even in life and death.

I can't ever remember her being angry or sad when growing up. Whenever we were sick as kids, her and grandpa would be the first ones to come over and keep us company. She and my grandpa were always in the front row for every sporting event, graduation, and major milestone in our lives.

One Christmas at a cousins house

Although the past few years have not been easy my grandma was still always happy to see us. She always remembered my mom, always teased my dad for the color of his beard, and  always insisted that I was such a nice pretty girl.

While I imagine the next few days will not be easy, I can hopefully try and console myself that she is finally happy with my grandpa again - the one thing she's always wanted since December 14 2007.

These words - these few, simple words... I wish I could put down on paper everything - but how do you sum up 28 years of love and appreciate for one person? I'm not quite sure you can. But - I am thankful and grateful that I was able to tell her this before she left us.

To my grandma, thank you so much for everything you have taught me. I will miss you so much but carry you with me every day.

Love,
Laura