Grandma, You're not gone yet from this place, and although I know that where you're going, there will be endless Canasta games and food that will always be delicious, and no one will argue in front of you...not to mention all of the mysteries that an intelligent mind can handle, and books galore- no matter how small the print is, you'll be able to read it....although I know that the hardships of this world won't be causing you any trouble any more, I'm going to miss so much about you.

I'd like to believe that I've been singularly blessed with you, but it's not true. The person that I have been blessed enough to call my Grandma has been many things to many people. I was never more aware of this when I was at the hospital reading to you...and I read Proverbs 31 to you. "The Woman Who Fears The Lord," I read, "Grandma, it's about you." You rolled your eyes at me. I knew that you knew these verses, but they did apply to you, and I won't ever be able to read them without thinking of you.

So let me thank you now, Grandma, even though you probably won't ever read this. I want to say it all- in one place- while you're still in this sphere, while we still share the same air.

Thank you Grandma, for giving me an example of what a good wife looks like in real life- Umpa certainly sees you as worth more than jewels, more than olive trees, even.

Thank you for showing me how to support my husband- your husband has seen no lack of gain, and I know that you were his partner in it all. I would be as instrumental to my husband's success as you.

Thank you for showing me how to do good to my husband...even when it seems as though you have reason to wish him harm.

Thank you for caring what I wore and how I looked. I will wear make-up more often, for you. I will buy colors other than black and brown and gray, for you.

Thank you for feeding us so well and so often. I don't care how our waistlines look, you made sure that every bite was given in love.

Thank you for numerous meals eaten out together, thank you for taking the time to eat with me, even when I had my babies to disrupt everything.

Thank you for caring for us all, for making sure that each of your children and grandchildren were taken care of.

Thank you for caring about what was fair, even when we didn't deserve it.

Thank you for making a home full of warmth and light- a home that welcomed so many of your family members when they had no other place to turn to.

Thank you for going wherever you went dressed with grace and dignity, for clothing yourself well, but not ridiculously.

Thank you for caring more about the quality of your clothing rather than the label.

Thank you for walking endless miles with me, for doing all that you could while your body still let you. Remember when we went bowling together? Remember taking me shopping for my eighteenth birthday? Remember dancing at weddings?

Thank you for showing me the true value of things- material and spiritual.

Thank you for always being available to me- and all of your family- at all hours of the night. The lamp of your love never went out.

Thank you for never shying away from a task, for always having a willing heart- or if you didn't- for never showing it.

Thank you for showing me from a very young age, how to have compassion on those less fortunate.

Thank you for leading by example in giving to the poor, to show me how your love for family extended beyond the walls of your home and bloodlines.

Thank you for praying for us, for coming to the Lord for us, for remembering each of us- our families and children, our friends and loved ones, our heartaches and loves. We never had to fear that we would be lost in the great whiteness of the world. Your concern for us marked us with scarlet, so that we stood out as people from a great and loving family.

Thank you for keeping us warm and close- for never letting a need pass without addressing it, for giving even when it was unappreciated or taken advantage of.

Thank you for passing on an understanding that people deserve respect, for honoring Umpa so that we would, too.

Thank you for making a family that people know- a husband that is known by the others and whose word is strong.

Thank you for being a wife that made that possible.

Thank you, despite your dislike of sewing-is dislike too weak a word?- for making certain that we were always clothed...even in the times when my parents couldn't make sure that was true. Thank you for letting me dress the way I wanted, even if you called me Sister Mary Sarah for all of the dark colors I liked.

Thank you for never letting me feel like you loved me less because you didn't like the way I dressed.

Thank you for laughing at the future, for seeing good everywhere, for not being afraid of what this world had to offer, even if you had reason to.

Thank you for meeting each moment with strength and dignity. It was seven years ago that you told me that my father was not alive, but I won't forget your face when you said it, and how you were there to care for me.

Thank you for our car ride conversations, when as a teenager I was able to ask any question I wanted and be answered with understanding and kindness.

Thank you for always treating me as though what I said was important to you.

Thank you for teaching me kindness.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Grandma, charm may be deceitful, and beauty, vain, but a woman of the Lord is to be praised. "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

There is nowhere I can go that I won't be reminded of you, and what you have shown me, and what you have taught me. If only I can be half the woman you are, I will consider myself blessed. You know how I love you, how much I've treasured knowing you, and how grateful I will forever be that I was granted the time I have had with you.

I still pray for a miracle, and am hoping, if God wills it, that we will play Canasta soon at your kitchen table.

If not there, then in heaven. Keep a couple decks shuffled.