Losing my grandma back in 1996 was the first time in life that I realized that my loved ones won’t always be around.

I remember walking around and actually getting angry at people who were laughing and having a good time!

Didn’t they know that my grandma was gone?

Although the years have passed, and the good memories have replaced a lot of the pain, I still miss her every single day.

If I had five more minutes to talk with my grandma, I would  tell her how much I loved her and how grateful I am that she played such a strong role in rearing me.

I would tell her how thankful I am for all of the things she taught me, from gardening to canning to quilting.

But what I would most thank her for is showing me how to treat people. Her kindness and acceptance of people have taught me that each person I come into contact with deserves to be treated well.

I would tell her how much I miss hearing her sing and hum while she was in the kitchen.

I would tell her how much I miss my birthday cake, and that it has never been duplicated.

I would ask her one more time what I’m doing wrong because my dumplings don’t turn out the same as hers.

I would tell her that I miss her jokes that were just a tad risque.

And I would introduce her to my son. He loves the color orange just like she did.

I wish that you could meet him and your other great-grandchildren.

I miss you, Grandma.

Thank you for living a life that taught me to be gentle and strong.

When I get down, I ask myself what you would want me to do and then I get up and do it.

I talk about you all the time and we even call the room where your old furniture is “your room.”

You are always close by.