About a month ago I got a call from my mom. She was crying. My heart began to race because I didn’t know what was going on. She told me that my great grandmother had had a heart attack and didn’t make it. That was a tough thing to hear. I was in a different country, a whole different time zone. I wanted to hug my mom and be held by her. My poor grandma. What was going through her head? Her mother had just died.
I was so lucky that my parents were able to fly me back into the states for the funeral. After not seeing my family for 9 months, it was so good to see them. I also learned so many awesome things about my great grandmother, who we called Grandma, that I didn’t know. She played softball when she was young. That must be where the athletic and competitive side of our family comes from.
I also learned that she did a bible study every day. She was 88 years old when she passed. The knowledge of the Bible that lady had was truly amazing. She also wouldn’t go to sleep until she had said her prayers. She was very active in her church and she loved it and the people in it like family. As I heard these things I became overwhelmed with the love she had for all her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and the great greats!
My sweet and stubborn Grandma,
You truly were a blessing to so many. I will never forget the hugs and kisses we received when we got to your house and when we left it. I’d give anything to give you just one more. Part of me wishes I could have flown back sooner so I could have told you how much I love you.
I’ll never forget all the games we played at your house and I’ll always laugh when I think of how competitive you were even in your later years. I know for a fact I get that from you and even though most people might not like it, I sure do! I also got my stubbornness from you. What can I say, we are always right! That’s not our fault!
I want to thank you for always being at my basketball games in high school and seeing you at Sister’s in college. I hope that when I’m 88 I’m still going strong like you were! I also want to thank you for all the prayers. It must have taken you several hours to pray for your huge family but you did it. I wish I could have came back from this mission trip and sat down with you and talked about the Bible and see first hand all the things you’ve learned after all the years!
Even though I feel like I missed out on a lot of these things, praise God the next time I see you will be up in Glory! If there isn’t one, I hope you’re building a basketball goal so we can play! I can’t wait to give you the biggest hug and tell you how much I love you.
I’m proud to be called your first grand kid and I’m so honored to have had such a Christianly, funny, competitive, loving, and beautiful great grandmother!
I love you, Grandma.
Until I reach Heaven with you,
Bradley
