Today is my Grandma Donna's birthday, she passed away in 2005. I had the opportunity to speak at her funeral. In honor of her today I am going to share what I read.
Recently I had the chance to talk to my grandma in a very
intimate way, I did an interview for a paper I wrote in April. I asked her all
kinds of questions and found out so much about her. One of the things she
stressed to me was family. She cared so much for her family. She always wanted
to make others as happy as she was. One of the questions I asked her was, whom
she most admired. She told me she admired her mother because she was so strong
and always the backbone of the family. This hit home with me because I, along
with many others, think my grandmother is the backbone of our family. She
expressed to me her worries about her family when she passed away. She told me
she worried her children would not get along and keep the family strong.
Grandma would be happy to know that because we all have a part of her in us our
family will stay strong and close nit. She is not only seen through us
physically, but also in all she has taught us. Grandma Donna taught all of us
that we must look on the bright side of things. She always stressed to me that
when you find a bright side in all situations it makes life better and makes
you happier. Grandma also instilled in all of us that the way you treat others
is an important factor in a satisfying life. Even while she was in the hospital
she was always concerned with everyone else. She knew all about the nurses,
once while I was visiting she asked me about one of the nurse’s dog. This made
me smile because here she is unable to speak and she wants to know about
someone’s dog. Another way Grandma always cared for others was the way she
would ask all kinds of questions every time she saw you. She would know exactly
what was going on in your life and know exactly how to talk to you. She would
know when to listen and when to give her opinion. Grandma Donna had so many
amazing qualities and I can barely get across how wonderful she was. She was
cheerful, sociable, genuine, trustworthy, classy, confident, wise, a giver, a
teacher, a singer, and most of all a kisser. I will never forget my Grandma’s
kisses. She kissed everyone. She knew how to show love and I will always admire
that and strive to be the same. She was a giver because she would give you
fifty dollars to spend when she took you shopping, but would pay for everything
and make you save the money she gave you. She was classy in the fact that she
was always so presentable; she had the best style, the best manners, and the
best grammar. She was cheerful and you could see it in the way she presented
her home, at Grandma’s you always felt welcome and felt at home. Almost every
time I went over to Grandma’s she was in on her bed reading and she would have
me come in and lay down with her so we could catch up on all that had happened
in my life. She was so colorful and joyful in all she did. She let you know
when you were doing something wrong, but she also let you know when you were
doing something right. She was a gift giver in many ways. She loved to give you
anything, whether it be her lip gloss or nail polish, her extra magazines or
books, it could have been all the sweets in the world or something she bought
for herself but thinks you need more, but most of all she gave advice and
wisdom. She always did things to make others happy, but always made herself
happy as well. Grandma Donna was also quite the singer; we will all miss her
humming, whistling, and singing. It was always so comforting because you could
just feel her happiness. Every time I see my Grandma in my self or anyone else
I know it will make me smile because it is what she would have wanted. It’s
amazing to me how many times I have already learned something from her or knew
what she would have wanted since she has been gone. I love to know that it wont
end in a couple days, but that it will go on forever. I know Grandma Donna
would want everyone to rejoice in her memory and continue her love and her
legacy.
As I read over this 7 years later I think of my Grandma and how I think of her almost everyday. When I see a red bird, drive by a Big Lots or Tuesday Morning store, when I talk to my Baum side of the family, or when I see her beautiful picture on my bookcase. I know she would be so proud of me and she would remind me of the joy in my life. Love you Grandma!
