Remembering Grandma

Today I found out that my Grandma passed away. For the past few weeks everyone in the family knew her health was failing, but she was 97 years old, so she lived an incredibly long and full life. I know she was a wonderful mom to my Dad and my aunts, but to me she was everything a grandma could be. Even though it doesn't seem like much, when you're a little boy and your grandma bakes the best pies in the world, always puts crisp dollar bills in your birthday card, and even hides 50-cent pieces under your plate at Christmas dinner, those actions start to form your opinion and love of the world and life in general. I'm so thankful for Grandma, and all of my relatives, who gave me this gift. I also have no doubt that her constant prayer has had a big influence on my life and all the other lives she touched.

Next week I'll be traveling for the funeral in Ohio, and then strangely enough, traveling to Los Angeles just a couple days later (since the trip was planned months ago). This will give me the opportunity to experience one of the best things about Disneyland - I love it because I have been there with people I love who are no longer here. I know that when I stand in front of the castle, that I have stood there with Grandmother (my mom's mother), Uncle Glenn, Grandpa, and now Grandma, too (this photo is Grandma and Grandpa at Disneyland around 1970). I'll definitely be thinking of them, now and always.