Dear Grandma,
First, I want to say thank you for starting such an incredible family. I know it may sound cliché, but if it weren’t for you, none of us would be here today. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had cousins to grow up with or my crazy Aunt who is un-doubtfully one of my absolute favorite people on this Earth. As a family, we have gone through some very hard times, but we have made it out stronger than ever. I truly believe that strength is a quality that we learned from you.
Thank you for always appreciating the little things. It didn’t take much to make you happy. As long as you had McDonald’s double cheeseburgers, a Goodwill nearby, and your dogs, you were the happiest person in the world. You didn’t need to drive a brand new car, have a fancy house, or wear designer clothes to bring you happiness, and that is something that I appreciated the most about you. You were all about simplicity and that is something that we all need to work on.
Thank you for teaching me to give back to my community. As far back as I can remember, you were always volunteering your time and donating your money to help where and when you could. I will always remember your community-wide Easter egg hunts, where every child got an Easter basket that you paid for and put together yourself. You had a special place in your heart for special education students, and would always take them gifts at random. You also ran multiple bingos every week to raise money for different organizations. If someone needed it, you would have given them the shirt off your back.
Thank you for always making me laugh. Even though you’re no longer here with us, I can still think of you and smile because you were truly one of the funniest people that I have ever known. Even when you weren’t trying to be funny, you had a way of making other people laugh.
Thank you for blessing me with a love for family. I can truly say that family is one of the most important treasures in my life. My heart is at its fullest when I can spend my days with my family just simply being together, reminiscing, and making memories. However, this is a blessing and a curse, because it also means that like you, I am basically a tornado when someone messes with or talks bad about someone in my family. You always said, “I don’t care what anyone says about me, but if they mess with my family that is a different story” and you meant it with every ounce of your being.
June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize my grandma who suffered with dementia, a major public health issue. I love you and I miss you each & every day, Grandma!