Till We Meet Again..... I Love you Grandma!

On the morning of January 4th I received a phone call from my Cousin around 8 am. He told me that my Grandma had fallen and hit her head late the night before but that they hadn't been able to get a hold of anyone in the family. My Mom happened to be in St. George with Atom and Cara (having just left my Grandma's house the day before) and had just gotten an e-mail regarding the event. They had rushed Grandma to the Hospital after it happened, at the time she was awake and conscious. Less than an hour later the Dr.'s discovered a severe head bleed that had caused irreparable damage to her brain. She lost consciousness and was moved to the ICU on a ventilator. She was still in that state when we received the call on Sunday morning. I knew immediately that I had to go. I hopped in the car around 10:30, picked up my sisters on the way and quickly drove to Anaheim to be with my sweet family. When we arrived at 9:45 pm we were able to gather together as a family and pray for her release from this mortal life. Each of us got to spend a moment alone as we expressed our love and gratitude for such an incredible woman. At 10:05pm that night we removed her from life support and she slipped peacefully from us.

I have been postponing this for several weeks now.... somehow I can't find words that are right to describe the ache I feel knowing I can no longer see her face....or the peace I feel knowing she is happy and healthy now....there is no way to convey the compassion and generosity that lived in such a tiny body.....I don't know how to share my love for the only Grandma I've known. She was in every way the nicest woman I have ever known. Her smile radiated love and warmth. The way she hugged anyone and everyone when she met them for the first time, and donated to EVERY charity or organization that asked. She was tiny....at 4'10" and barely 70 pounds....but never lost her spunk! She was stubborn, determined, feisty and yet extremely gentle, loving and forgiving. I'll never forget the way she shimmied when she hugged me, her singing in the shower or laughing out loud at the comics.


She loved Dogs....more than anything! Literally, she referred to them as her children...they got to sleep with her in her king size bed and we didn't. She fed the birds in her back yard religiously after every meal. She recycled every can she bought. She saved all her national geographics for my brother-in-law because she knew how much he loves animals. She NEVER forgot to call us on our birthdays and sent us cards for as long as she could write them herself. She opened her heart and her home to all. She baked meticulously.....and lucky for us because she made the world's BEST cheesecake, angel food cake and cookies! (I'm not kidding..everyone says that about their Grandma but I am serious...).

She loved her home. She was able to stay their until her very last day on this earth. She lived there 48 years. She was adored by her neighbors and family. I will never hear the theme to "The Young and the Restless" without thinking of her....I'll never go to another farmer's market without smiling at the way she taught me to pick out produce.... I'll never read a Peanuts cartoon without remembering her smile.....Hot Cocoa and Hot cakes will never be the same....

I am blessed to have had the example of such a strong yet humble woman. I love you Grandma Helen! You will be sorely missed until we meet again ;)

It was an incredible experience to spend a week in my Grandmother's home with my Mom, sisters and Brother as we made all the arrangements. We remembered, celebrated and awed at her life and legacy. What a spiritually uplifting, emotionally difficult yet healing time for all of us. I am so grateful for my in-laws who took Maci at a moments notice and cared for her all week. I am so blessed with friends who helped and sent their love and thoughts my way. I am lucky to have great co-workers and friends in the ER who stepped in to cover my shifts. Thank you!