on a life well - lived

she was older when i met her

and her memory wasn't what it had once been

and so she often had to be re-introduced to me

or just reminded of who i was

but every time she saw me

she took my hand and squeezed it

or gave me a hug and kiss

and told me she thought i was beautiful

or sweet

or some other really nice thing :)

you could tell that she was a nurturer

she cherished moments with her husband

though she no longer was able to live with him at their house

and she doted on her grandchildren

the love she had for them was obvious

the dogs of the family preferred her lap over any other

anytime she was around

and she seemed to enjoy just sitting and watching the flurry of activity

because that flurry was made up of the ones dearest to her

when the idea of me moving into her house

to keep an eye on things

was proposed to her, she said

"i think it's a GREAT idea"

and that's all the confirmation her husband needed

she suffered with multiple health issues for several years

although every time i saw her

she was smiling and enjoying the company of people she loved

her latest bout came last week

and she prayed saturday night that she would go home

she woke on sunday, disappointed

because she was ready

but on sunday they brought her husband to see her

and they spent some precious moments together

and a few hours later

her prayer was answered

peacefully

anthony's grandma

was a wonderful woman

and i've learned in the past few days

just how wonderful

but MY favorite memory

(besides those sweet hugs and hand squeezes)

will always be

that on father's day this year

she out-ate the entire family

putting down more baby back ribs

than either her son or her grandson

(and THAT is an accomplishment!)