Grandma

The day after we got home from Florida, we received a call that my Grandmother passed away. This news is never easy. Even though it was sudden, I was thankful that it was fast. My Grandma had a great last day and she hates hospitals. My Dad was already at the house since he picked us up from the airport. That afternoon, Mom, Mycah, and Molly all came up so that we could be together. We booked our flight to fly up the next week. I used to stay the summers up in New York with my Grandparents and have so many memories with them. I took the news pretty hard and knew that I needed to go up to get closure with all of my family. With the last minute travel plans and flight prices, Mikey stayed home with the kids.

Family deaths are always so emotional and surreal. It brings the family together unexpectedly. Talking about memories keeps a smile on our faces even though we hurt inside because of such a great loss in our hearts. When I say it brings families together...this was the first time in 17 years all of the cousins had been together.

We tried to get a picture of everyone. Except my and Matt's families :-(

My Grandma never wanted a funeral. We celebrated my Grandfather's death as a family 8.5 years ago and we did the same thing for Grandma. We had a private ceremony at the cemetery. The director of the funeral home said a few prayers and Dad played the banjo. She and Grandpa had picked out their plot and headstone years ago. They both wanted to be cremated and requested that both of their ashes be on both sides of the urn together. It was the sweetest story.

We had a private reception afterwards. The siblings...

We cleaned out Grandma's house and went through all of the photos. Love this picture of the brothers.

All of the grandchildren picked out things of Grandma and Grandpa's that meant something to us. I got the photo album she kept of me when I was little and the family picture from my wedding. The one thing I wanted was the windmill that was in their front yard for as long as I remember. I vaguely remember when they got it and Grandpa putting it together.

Now it is in my front yard. I can see it from my kitchen and dining room and I think of them often. I can see the smile on Grandma's face when she was finally reunited with the love of her life. I know that they are smiling down on the beautiful family they created.

I have only been up in the winter a few times. I took this picture on the way to the airport. Everything is so brown unlike the summer but the lake is as blue as it always is.

I missed having Mikey and the kids with me. Since I left town so last minute, Mikey called in all of the backups. Uncle Matt, Uncle D and Ry. They pulled off all of the weekend sports and activities. Thanks guys!!