My grandma, who was very dear to me, died on February 6, 1998.
She was the only grandparent that I ever really had and I was very close to her.
My grandma was a very active woman up until the day she died.
For many years she raised a variety of birds, had so many plants you couldn't see the windows, babysat small children, and doted on her 16 grandchildren and her 11 great-grandchildren.
She was a very wonderful woman and loved dearly by all that knew her.

A letter from Grandpa to Grandma

This cheap little old ring

With this ring I did thee wed.� No silver or gold or diamond studded band, can ever replace this ring on your hand.� With this little ring I pledged to be true, and vow no one will come between me and you. � Until God calls and says thou shall part, I will cherish you always, down deep in my heart.� Through all the years, of struggle and strife, there is no substitute for my little wife.� Though it be old, battered and worn, do not look upon it with scorn, but proudly wear it and remember to say, this ring represents our wedding day.

Love Dad
PS Please try it on again.

I wanted to share this poem that Malary sent me when I was going through the loss of my gramma.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me, and I'm Not There To See

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and hug you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you".
Today your life on earth is past but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
And you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?
So if tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I'm in your heart.
~ author unknown ~