Thanksgiving and Losing Grandmama

In this season of Thanksgiving, today I am thankful for the opportunity to have known Grandmama and to have had her in my life for the past 7 years.  Grandmama passed away last night, and while I know that she is with her husband and her family members who have gone before her, it doesn't make it any easier.  It is going to be so hard for Jarrod not to just pick up the phone, call her and say, "What're you doing ol' bird?!"  And it's going to be so hard for me not to be there yelling things to her in the background or reminding Jarrod of stuff to tell her about Collin.

As we went to bed last night, all I could think of was how much she truly loved us.  I don't think I could ask for anything better to fall asleep to.  She was so proud of us, and she always made sure we knew it.  And she adored Collin.  She thought he was the prettiest, sweetest little boy.  She would say that we couldn't have made a better baby.  She would make us feel like we had achieved some great feat and produced the most wonderful child ever, when we know just as well that Collin is a complete blessing from the Lord.

I was reminded last night that it was almost 7 years ago to the day when I met her for the first time.  I was stranded in Abilene one Thanksgiving while in college, so Jarrod took me to meet his parents who were in town for the holiday at his Grandmama's house.  We played a game and ate on bread that Jarrod's dad is famous for in our family, and I quickly realized that Grandmama was a feisty woman who appreciated some feist in return.  It was safe to be my haughty-self around her!

We have such good memories of her, and we are surrounded by evidence of her love for us.  Last night, Jarrod was able to wrap up in a quilt she made specifically for him, knowing he could do no wrong in her eyes.  Grieving because we'll never laugh with her again, but thankful because it will be impossible not to carry her with us.