An Open Letter To The Great Grandma I Never Knew | The Odyssey Online
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An Open Letter To The Great Grandma I Never Knew

You are loved by your great granddaughter.

Heidi Payton
Apr 25, 2016
Olivet Nazarene University
An Open Letter To The Great Grandma I Never Knew
Linda Payton

Great Grandma,

I never met you, and yet, I know you were a hero. You weren’t just a hero for my Grandma and her siblings; you are a hero for me too. I didn’t have the privilege of knowing you but I know what you did and how you lived. I know how you took care of your family and always filled your home with warmth. I wish I knew you for real, but the stories are enough to make my heart beam with pride for the woman you were.

When I think of you the word that comes to my mind is love. You were always available to give a smile and a word of encouragement to everyone you loved. This does not mean you were without fault, but I think for me, that’s what makes me love you even more. Hearing stories about what you did and who you were makes me realize that it’s OK to not be perfect. You showed me through your life that it’s what you do after you stumble and fall that counts. It’s how you get up and keep fighting.

You are an amazing example of what it looks like to be completely bathed in grace. You didn’t let mistakes or fear get in your way. The love of Christ was enough for you. I am a product of the legacy you began with my Great Grandpa. You have great grandchildren following in the footsteps of Jesus because you showed your children how. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that.

People say I look just like you. I hope they aren’t just saying that because I think you were so beautiful. You were so effortless in that, too. You always came just as you were and were always flawless. Another thing I want to thank you for is your willingness to put your grandchildren’s health after their joy. According to my mom, there were only desserts when they visited you. So many sweet stories of shaking doughnut holes in paper bags with powdered sugar and hot pies from the oven. You took special care when you fed people, and that’s the reason I love to cook. Did you know that? When my mom said that her grandma loved to cook and she said how much she cared for you, I wanted to one day make my grandkids that happy. You ignited a passion in my heart. Thank you.

Mostly though, Grandma, I just want to tell you that I love you very much. I love who you were and the legacy of love you left for my family. I can’t wait to tell my future kids stories about you so they can love you as much as I do. You are a treasure.

Ik hou van je, Oma.

-Your Great Granddaughter

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