Goodbye Grandma

My Grandma passed away on February 28, after a 3+ year battle with bone cancer. She was my last living grandparent, and was a very special lady. Even tho my family lived just down the road from her while we were growing up, we didn't spend very much time with her. Thankfully, Abby and I visited with her quite a bit these last two years, and made up for some of that lost time. She was a great resource for marriage and parenting advice, and was a huge supporter of us as we went through the adoption journey. When we finally came to the conclusion that we weren't conceiving biological kids and decided to adopt, Grandma was the first person who told us "anyone can have bio kids, but God picks special people to be adoptive parents". That comment was the one that got me "over the hump" of accepting this new plan for our family.

I wrote this memo to Grandma and gave it to her about 5 weeks before she died.

Grandmas Are Special
(My Grandma is Special)

No one can HUG like Grandma – Grandmas are soft and squishy and lovable and loving
No one can CARE like Grandma – she always has a listening ear
No one can ADVISE like Grandma – whether it’s parenting advice, relationship advice, or spiritual advice, Grandma does it kinder and gentler than anyone
No one can SEW like Grandma – sock monkeys, clothes for little black babies in Haiti, tote bags … you name it, she can make it!
No one can LOVE like Grandma
No one can take your place.
Thank you, Grandma, for the things you’ve taught me, and the love you’ve shown me. I love you!
Your granddaughter,
Judy


Be not dismayed what e’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you, Thru every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.