Happy Birthday, Granny

Today is my Granny's birthday . . . it is the first one she is celebrating in heaven and the first one we are experiencing without her. In light of the recent Thanksgiving holiday and how much I am missing her, I thought I would dedicate this post to her. I am so thankful for the 33 1/2 years I got to spend with her, though I would have relished 33 more.  She taught me so much and loved me even more. Granny was someone who got it . . . she knew that real wealth was found when you invest in people. And she gave away herself and her money and her time and her love. I am a richer person for it. Granny was fun, too. She loved a good joke and a good laugh. I am so thankful that she had a relationship with Caroline, Tru, Bo, and Sascha. They all adored her and she showered them with love and affection. They brought each other a lot of joy and the four of them cracked her up. There have been countless times since her death in May that I have wanted to call her to tell a story on one of them. There is a longing for eternity in all of us and I am so thankful that this life is not all there is. I cannot wait to see her again and hug her neck in a place where we will never again have to say goodbye. Happy Birthday, Granny. We miss you so much. Thanks for your love and legacy. We are better for having had you in our lives. I love you.

I've heard it said 

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow 

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you:

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend:

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you:

I have been changed for good

(From Wicked)