To a Better Place...

My sweet, wonderful Grandma went to be with Jesus last night at 11:45. She was ready to go home and left peacefully.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to visit her yesterday and last Thursday to say goodbye. I rushed up there on Thursday when learning of her condition; however a few minutes before I arrived, she fell into a deep sleep, which she never really came out of. I talked to her, but it really bothered me that I didn't think she could hear me. This is why I am so glad that I visited her one last time yesterday... because, although she wasn't responding and not opening her eyes, she nodded her head ever so slightly when I talked in her ear. I told her that I love her and since I knew she couldn't respond I told her that I know she loves me too, which is when she gently nodded her head so minutely that one would only be able to see if staring at her closely. She hadn't moved for days except for making a couple slight movements, which that was one of them. I will always hold onto that memory because it made me feel so good inside.

The last time I saw Grandma awake was a few weeks ago. She was so thin and weak, but when we arrived she wanted to be moved into the chair beside her bed and she held Luke. She held him for about a minute or so before getting tired. Grandma had her memory all the way until the end- She knew who I was as well as Hudson and Luke.

She was so loving to all of her family. I will always remember the last few months when everytime I would visit Grandma, she would say "I am so blessed to have such a beautiful family. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people who love me." She always wanted to make sure we were comfortable when visiting, asking if we wanted food or drink. I remember about six months ago when Hudson and I visited her, and she shared the graham cracker she was eating with Hudson. He loved it!

Also, Grandma loved to give Sees butterscotch lollipops to her kids/guests. She always had a box ready, even when we visited her a few weeks ago, she had Sees lollipops ready to give us. This was her thing... Grandma always had Sees lollipops!

• When she passed away, she was a loving mother of 4, grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of 27 and great great-grandmother 5 = 48 family members, including one grandchild and one great-grandchild already in heaven (this is only blood family and not in-laws).
  
• If you were to define the word 'sweet', it would be my Grandma.
  
• She was also a strong positive woman.
  
• She raised four wonderful girls.
  
• Grandma always called me "My Sweet Kara" and Derek "Pipsqueak".
• She had a wonderful sense of humor, sassy and always cracking jokes.
  
• Grandma would call me in college and leave me messages on my answering machine just to tell me that she loved me.
  
• Even though she was starting to get weak, Grandma came up to the hospital in a wheelchair to see Hudson after he was born.
  
• She adored Hudson and called him "My Little Kara". She also loved Lucas, commenting on his hair and adorable looks.
  
• She looked so cute walking down the isle on our wedding day.
  
• She was vibrant until the end... even enjoyed square dancing in her later years.
  
• Grandma would have been 93 on February 15th.
  
• She touched so many lives and will leave her place in many hearts.
  
• She is now with The Lord in Heaven, and she is busy catching up with all of her loved ones that preceded her.

I love you Grandma, and I can't wait to see you again one day!!