One Year

It's hard to believe it's already been one year since Grandma has passed. We miss her so, so much. I know it is much worse for me when I am in Illinois. Her absence in my parents' house is felt keenly. It is the same way when I walk into Opa's house. I still expect her to be sitting in her chair watching her shows. It's amazing how much can change in a year. We are all slightly different people because of it. Missing a piece of the puzzle so to say. Grandma has three new grandchildren and one new granddaughter-in-law. 

I keep thinking of all the stories she would tell us. When I was younger Grandma had the most fasicinating life of anyone I knew. Her stories were (and are) still the best. She told us stories about when we were younger: picking up acorns in North Carolina (I think about her everytime I walk outside and am surrounded by acorns), bees on David's head, going for morning walks in North Carolina when she came to stay. Stories from when Mom and Dad were younger: Mom avoiding Dad and asking Nana to tell him she wasn't home, Nana putting powder on the stairs to see if anyone had gone up or down, Aunt Dee and the cookie jar, the huge number of people that came traipsing through her door when Mom was in middle school and high school. She told the stories so well, too. 

When she lived in Maryland, she'd come out for one whole month each year. We LOVED it. She'd come to school with us (even missed recess one day because she wouldn't eat the peas either) and play games with us (four square anyone?) She even had a special place in her heart for a girl who was quite mean to me. I think she knew that one day Emily and I would be great friends. She always asked about Emily. We absolutely loved watching her play games on the computer. I've never seen anyone so animated play maelstrom. Ever. I'm pretty sure someone in Kansas could have heard her. 

We'd go visit for a few weeks every summer. The last years she was in Maryland she lived with my aunt and uncle. I'd often head down there to find peace and quiet. Dorothy often joined me. I loved spending that time with Grandma and Opa--although Opa was often at work. Grandma also had the added perks of tuna and PB with sugar! Before they moved into my cousins' house, Grandma and Opa were at their house almost every day we were there. We loved every minute of it. Grandma would play games with us in the pool and Opa was a human diving board. One year Grandma and Opa went with us to Prince Edward Island. I still think that trip, as miserable as it may seem to an outsider, was still the best trip we took as children. "Hey, Grandma! Watch me throw!" Was only one of the disasters that happened during that trip, but seriously, Best. Trip. Ever. Aside from the vomiting, rock crashing, camcorder death, car breaking, and teddy bear leaving...it was great!

So many years and so many memories. The memories will continue to be made, but they just won't be the same without you. Miss you and love you, Grandma!

Love,

Lauren, Dean, Sawyer, and Annabelle