This past summer, my grandma, Nana passed away, leaving me brokenhearted, distraught, and angry with God for taking her away from my family and me. I had a difficult time seeing or hearing things that reminded me of her; the cards she made for me as well as the gifts she gave me ended up in a box under my bed, while the pictures of my grandma and me became a neat pile in a folder, also tucked away.I avoided talking about her, because it made her passing real and more concrete.
But only recently have I come to realize that these reminders and mementos are not something to hide and shove under my bed, but be thankful for, and treasure. Although Nana is gone, her memory remains, as well as the precious things she left behind for me. The pictures remind me how much she smiled and laughed, and how she was never seen with out a smile on her face. The cards and gifts remind me of how often she thought of me, and cared enough to take time to send me a gift to make my day brighter. Her valuable qualities and outstanding devotion as a wife, friend, sister, mom, and grandma are admirable. She has been a true role model in my life of how I should uphold myself to the same qualities, and settle for nothing less. Although I would give anything in the world to have one more chance to have a conversation and tell my grandma I love her, I'm thankful for the time I had with her.
