My day

So Mom and Dad came down on Saturday afternoon and since Mom didn't have school today, they stayed until this morning. We had a lot of fun. We went to Penguin Ed's for some BBQ on Saturday night, went to church yesterday, had spaghetti for lunch, then went to Buffalo Wild Wings for "snack" last night. With all the drama of the last few months, we've gone home to Kansas City a lot, so they've not come down here in forever. It was nice to have them here and be able to relax with them.

Now, that all being said....................

I had a Dr's appt. this morning so I didn't go into work until this afternoon. Steve had in-service training at the Academy, so he took Tanner to school on the way. Mom and Dad and I had a nice laid back breakfast, then they got around and left around 8:30 or so. I finished getting ready and was just about to finish up when the phone rang. It was Mom's cell phone.

When I answered, the tone of her voice made me think something was up, but I really figured someone had gotten sick or they forgot something. Mom said they had stopped in Bentonville (about 1/2 an hour or so from here, the way my Dad drives) and they had gotten a phone call. I still wasn't really thinking anything major. She said that my Aunt had just called and said they found my Gma this morning. She had passed away during the night.

I'm telling you, I felt as if #1 that time had stopped, #2 that I had been punched in the stomach and #3 like I was having a bad dream and couldn't wake up. This is my Gma that was the wife of my Gpa that passed away just over two months ago. Yea, double whammy, huh?

My Gma was quite the woman. She was a rock star. She was my Gpa's soul mate. She was awesome-always had hugs for us grandkids. She was always there to cheer me on and encourage me throughout life. Even if my decision to do something wasn't the "popular" decision, Gma supported me. My Gma was the one person that didn't make me feel awful when I told her that I was pregnant-instead she hugged me and told me "Everyone plays with fire, but not everyone gets burned." She used to tell me that she sang the song "One Day At A Time" on her way to work when she was having a bad day. I now do the same thing. My Gma was a very devout Christian and loved the Lord with all her heart and she wasn't afraid to show or say it.

Even though Gpa died, I still kept in good touch with Gma. I called her at least once a week, if not more, to check on her. Usually I'd call her at night and we'd talk for 30-40 minutes. We'd talk about Gpa and how much she missed him, we'd get teary and sappy about him, we'd tell funny stories about him and laugh together and we'd just catch up on what was going on. I loved my conversations with her and I think she loved them just as much.

She missed my Gpa terribly. That was no secret. She told me just last week that though it was "easier" she wasn't "ever" going to get over him being gone. She was telling me story after story about him. They were funny. For instance....Gpa began stocking up on groceries a long time ago just in case he went first, Gma would be taken care of for awhile. She said "That Gpa of yours is up in heaven laughing because he got his way-he got there first, but I'm going to get him one of these days." Funny, funny.

Thank goodness I talked to my Gma yesterday afternoon. We didn't talk long because she was eating a sandwich. We chatted for a few minutes-she was so excited because one of my Aunt's from Joplin had come up last weekend and stayed with her. She thought that was so great and she said she really enjoyed the "girl time." Gma said she was feeling good. She said she felt better than she had in a few days. When we hung up I told her I loved her and she said "I love you too" then we hung up. Ugh.

So at some point in the night, there was a HUGE reunion in heaven. They are once again together. It sucks. I'm telling you, it freaking sucks. But at least they are home together once again.

My heart is so heavy I can't describe it. Like someone said when Gpa died "we are Goldens. We put on our game faces and prepare to face the world."

I love you Grandma. I'll miss you like crazy-more than you know. Give Gramps a hug for me and tell him I love him and miss him too.