So long, farewell...See you later

This past week has been an unbelievable time in my life, and for my family.  My beloved Grandmother passed away.  I cannot describe the level of grief we are all processing right now, but I do know that my Grandma would have never wanted us to be sad upon her passing.  She lived an exciting life until the ripe ol' age of 90 years old, and she had never been sick or in the hospital.  I can only hope I have the life she did.  She was an amazing woman, and she will always be with me and my family.  She taught me so many valuable things about life, and I will never forget her wisdom.  I was trying to think of the right words for this post, but I realized the words that describe what and who she was to everyone around her were already spoken.  I wrote a few paragraphs for her funeral with every intention on reading them myself until I tried to read them to Mike.  I was going to be a blubbering mess, so my Aunt kindly took on the job.  She did great.  I think it portrays her life and value the best that I can right now. 

Grandma:

 My Grandma taught me early what it takes to thrive in this world.  She taught me how to be strong when the going gets rough, how to tackle anything even if it seems impossible, and how to always find a way to get to the end of a rough patch.  Because of her life and career, she inspired me to reach for the sky and follow my dreams even if I thought they were unreachable. My Grandma is the reason I chose the medical field as my career.  She is the reason I chose to become a doctor, and she was the reason I tried my hardest, even when I never thought I would make it. She is the reason all of us grandchildren have a passion for learning, and I know I speak for all of my cousins when I say that she has inspired them just as much.  

She gave me one of her old chemistry text books from nurse’s training when I started optometry school.  Whenever I feel like I’m not focusing well or getting confused about something, I bring out her book, and read some of her notes.  In her notes you can see how she had a passion for learning. That resonates in me, and makes me strive to be better.  I will always remember her for that, and I will never forget all the ways she has inspired me.  I know she has been there for all of her grandchildren in good times and bad, and she has been such a wonderful support for all of us.  We could never thank her enough for her support and love that helped make us who we are today.  And I know she has given us invaluable advice when we needed it most.  The phone calls will definitely be what we all miss the most.  She was truly a one-of-a-kind person that will never be replaced.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that her strength, perseverance, and independence inspired us all. 

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I will love you always, Grandma, and I will never forget you.  You will keep influencing my life, even though I cannot call you anymore.  Like Pastor said, you are now just a prayer away.  This isn't good-bye, it's just "see ya later".