March 24th

March 24th is a day forever etched in my heart.  It is a day that my Mom & I honor with a trip to Buhl, Id with flowers and loving thoughts in our heart to remember my Gram.  It's been 7 years since she's passed and I still miss her so much.

I was the youngest grandchild in the area when I was growing up, my Grandfather had passed away before I was born so I had the special honor of getting to sleep with my Gram when we'd go visit.  Although I'm sure it wasn't her honor to sleep with me, there are many pictures with me spread across the bed sleeping.  :-)  There was also the times of sitting on one of the dining room chairs helping in the kitchen, or getting to sit on the old yellow metal stool, or playing with the ceramic pig pitchers on the shelves. 

Probably the most common memory of my Gram is the first thing we did when I (or any of her grandkids) got there.  She's have her arms open for a welcome hug and after a squeeze we'd see where we measured against her top button.  As the years went by and I grew it changed to where she measured on my top button.  Always, every time I'd see her we measure that top button.  I miss my Gram's hugs and her laugh and playing card at the table trying to teach me games.  I miss talking about her childhood, and her kids growning up.  And I'm SO THANKFUL that she was in my life.

Her last couple of years were rough for her, she was moved to Boise to be in an assisted living home with trepidation.  I'm so thankful for that last year.  I'd swing by and pick her up to take her to my Parent's house on Sundays and we'd watch NASCAR and eat dinner and just be a family.  I can remember the last Christmas, she was at my Mom's house helping out getting ready for Christmas Eve and I called for some reason and she told me, in no uncertain terms, to get my butt over there to help my Mom. 

I treasure the memories of that time.  The last time I saw her before the hospital we'd stopped at her place to check in and see how she was doing and drop something off.  I was the last one out the door and she was ironing.  I had the door closed and for some reason I opened it up and told her that I loved her very much, gave her a hug and ran out to the car.  I'm so glad that I acted upon that instinct, it is a great last memory.

Hanging out at the hospital is another story for another time, but there was so much laughter that the Nurses requested that we close the door so as not to disturb the other patients.  That's the kind of family I have, a loving, story telling, happy family.  And I'm so blessed to be a part of them.