To Grandma, With Love

I can still hear her say my name.

It was said with an adorable combination of  rural Minnesotan with a slightly Swedish accent. But I mostly remember the instant comfort that came from hearing Grandma’s voice.

I miss that voice, and her crooked smile, the pink curlers in her hair, and that trademark twinkle in her eye that she passed on to me.

Grandma Ruth passed away late last week. My Mom’s Mom, or Guggums (what I called her as a baby), was always in my life. She was like my moon, always there, even if you didn’t always see her.

As a priceless gift, she was one of the most present people in my life. Something I still send gratitude to every day. Her heart was made of gold and had the energy and happiness of the most enlightened angel. And you know what, she was also pretty darn funny and adorable, and I have a suspicion that she knew it!

There are many favorite memories I have of her, so I’ll name off a few…

• It would never fail for Grandma to…A) Ask me to sit on her lap (up until I was about 20), or B) Ask friends of mine, she just met, to sit on her lap
• That time she let the pet goldfish take a swim with me at bath time…poor fish
• No matter the occasion, a pot roast was always at hand, in the backseat of her car “just in case”
• I got many a letter and card from Guggums, and she would always underline and put in quotes the most. important. words.
• Putting M&Ms at the bottom of my sugary cereal to make sure I would finish eating my breakfast…health nut!

I feel so blessed to have this wonderful soul in my life. She has done so much work making our family a good one, and now it is her time for rest. I know she is enjoying her new life in Heaven—dancing the polka with Grandpa, eating as many turtle blizzards and seafood subs as she desires, and yet, still comforting us when we need some love, baking with us at Christmas, helping tidy up our homes, and guiding us through our lives.

Thank you, Grandma for always being you. I love you.