Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday, we buried my grandma (my dad's mom). The weather was beautiful for a February afternoon. She looked so beautiful. I know that often times at funerals, you say, "they look so good", but she truly did. She looked at peace for the first time in her life. The weight of the world had finally been lifted off of her shoulders.

I was pretty torn about the whole situation. We intended on going down to Proctorville this past weekend to visit as she was returning home from Cleveland Clinic. When she left Cleveland, she was so excited to be going home. My brother lives in Cleveland and had several opportunities to visit with her while she was there. Selfishly, I didn't call, and I don't even know why. I was just planning on saying my goodbyes to her this past weekend.

I did not get the chance, as she passed in the plane on her way home. 10 minutes from landing, she went to the lord. I have been angry with myself for not calling or saying my goodbyes. I was angry that "fate" flew her to Cleveland for my brother to see her. I was angry that "fate" didn't whisper in my ear to call her or to travel to Cleveland to see her. I was angry period.

When we arrived at her house early Saturday evening, my dad greeted me with a letter. A letter that my grandma had written to me Nov. 26, 1978. She had written it 3 days before my birth 31 years ago and had all intentions of me opening it up no sooner than my 12th birthday. Ironically, it was written on the same date that I had delivered her first great-grandchild 26 years prior!

I sat there absorbed in the seven page letter, tears flowing from my eyes, realizing that, I had received my dose of "fate" after all. This letter is a gift like no other than I have received. After finishing the letter and doing the math, I soon realized that the letter she had written to me in anticipation 3 days prior to my birth, finally reached my hands 3 days after her death.

Below is a picture of the letter. She had even sealed the back of it with wax! I am deeply saddened with the loss of my grandma, but forever grateful for the gifts she gave me in life and in death.

On a side note, Parker and I were busy creating our Valentine boxes for school last week. Parker's party was postponed due to the snow last week. Her party is to be on Wed. this week. My party was last Friday.

For Parker's box, we used an old gift bag shaped like a castle, complete with opened doors and princesses!

My box is an old coffee container that I wrapped with wax paper to provide the bulk, and then covered it with foil. The lid is stuffed with wax paper also and wrapped in foil. My name is on the traditional Hershey's Kiss label instead! We had fun being creative!