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| At 89 |
I remember teaching her to skip.
I remember living with her for a bit.
I remember eating out with her at least once a week growing up.
I remember holidays at her house.
I remember trips to Florida and Hawaii with her and uncountable trips to the Sahara in Vegas.
I remember taking my "Going to Grandmas" suitcase over to spend the night.
I remember her seeing my shows.
I remember the ludicrous amount of gifts under her tree.
I remember her Pink Mickey Mouse themed bathroom.
I remember trying to teach her how to use a computer.
I remember helping put up her Christmas lights.
I remember teaching her how to use the Diablo.
I remember hunting for Easter eggs in her backyard.
I remember her driving to pick me up.
I remember her taking my girlfriend home.
I remember every single time a siren would go past her house and she would call to make sure we were ok and that it wasn't for us.
I remember her stories.
I remember her waxed floor.
I remember the stockings that were 3 feet long.
I remember that crazy cupboard full of party supplies.
I remember visiting her at work at the Bullocks in Pasadena.
I remember every overbearing hug.
I remember how weird I thought her adding celery to salads was and I remember how I now don't like salads without celery.
I remember the chili sauce covered cream cheese log.
I remember her Wizard of Oz collection.
I remember her old and out of tune piano.
I remember every dollar she ever gave me.
I remember being bounced on her knee.
I remember that she always had gum. Always.
In my grief, a few memories lapsed and my brother Matt reminded me of them...
I remember getting a buck a bag for raking up her yard (we scored like $20 every time).
I remember watching her care for her rose bushes.
I remember her elephant collection.
I remember her coins in the bottom of the trash can.
I remember warmed up Grape Nuts.
I remember strong coffee that you could "pave the driveway with".
I remember her specifically chosen outfits and colors depending on when and where she was going.
I remember the first time she let me drive HER in HER car!
I remember her giving me her car provided I was her chauffeur when she could no longer drive.
I remember the hugs, kisses, smiles, and genuine conversations.
I remember her caring for and feeding "her" cats.
I remember her "allergy" to rubber and the large collection of rubber bands outside her front door.
I remember the time we came home prematurely from a vacation and she caught Cousin Troy throwing a party.
My grandma, who always jokingly called me her favorite, was an amazing woman and because of her, I have had a pretty amazing life.
I remember never not feeling like the most important person in her life.
I like to imagine that in her youth she was Lucille Ball and that's the real reason I enjoy "I Love Lucy" so much.
I know that in the last few years she couldn't remember me but Grandma, I will ALWAYS remember you.
All my love.
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| We love you. |
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| I remember this smile. |