Dear Grandma,

It has been several years since you have passed away but it still feels like you have just left this earth. I remember how much time we spent watching "Some Like it Hot" or "Carousel"... all classic movies from the 50's. You knew about every single actor in those films — who they were married to, where they were born, how many kids they had. I think I appreciate classic movies now because you instilled this love for them within my heart and mind. If we were not watching movies, we would be either baking or playing cribbage. and pies certainly do not taste the same, but I am baking more. Actually, I bake once a week now. I feel like I can finally do more than before, and that was one of your last wishes for me. You told me a couple days before you passed that you wanted me to be more self-sufficient. Do not worry Grandma, each day is one step closer to being fully independent.

I wonder what you are doing up there in Heaven. I hope the sun never stops shining, but maybe it rains once in awhile so your garden and flowers up there can grow. I hope you have lavender up there, and sachets to hand out to all of our family and friends that are with you. Can I tell everyone you were my best friend? Not too often people call their Grandmother's their best friend. They love them and share a special bond but to also be friends with them? It is a rare occurence. You were my best friend. I spent most of my free time with you because I wanted to. I loved going to your house every week. Sometimes we would talk for hours and hours. You always made sure I either cleaned or read a book while I was with you too.

Discipline was often a trait you held but so was education. You had me practice my cursive throughout middle school and one of the last letters you wrote to me was in cursive. Actually, you wrote in a journal all in cursive. I keep re-reading the journal to understand cursive. Everything you did had an underlying meaning to it. You never went to college but you were the smartest and most hard-working person I have ever known. Whenever I question my decisions, your presence seems to appear and I no longer second guess myself. I just let things happen.

Thank you for being the best Grandma a person could ask for. Because of you, I am where I am right now.