To My Grandma

On Tuesday night February 2, 2010 my Grandma past away after suffering a stroke, she was 85 years young. My Grandma raised two children, help raise 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and dozens of family friends children who she lovingly called "her kids". When she past it created a huge void in my heart that will never be fixed. I do find comfort in knowing that my "Gram" is up in heaven looking down on me and her whole family with a glass of Ginger Ale and saying. "I lived a great life, and I left some really great people back there who will never forget me." So knowing that she is looking down on me I thought it best to write her a letter to let her know what she means to me.

Dear Gram:

Thank you for being my Grandma, you always had time for me when others were busy or off at work. You always had a ear for me to talk to, and opinion to give back to me. You taught me how to treat others and how to love unconditionally. You taught me never to cheat yourself, because cheaters never win. You showed us how to give of yourself without expecting anything in return. You taught me that saying "Thank you" can take you a long way and in turn make someone else's day. You also taught me that food doesn't taste good because of all the herbs and spices you may put on something. The best tasting food is the food that is made with love, because love is the spice of life.

When I started working at my current job everyone was saying what Culinary School they graduated from and why the decided to go in the culinary field, and I had nothing to say to them it was just my job. However, that changed at my wedding when I introduced you to my Boss and told him that I graduated from the best culinary school on the planet, your kitchen. You taught me so much about food without even knowing at the time. I use to love sitting there and watch you do your thing. I am going to miss eating all the wonderful things you would make. Even though I have an idea of how you made everything there is just always going to be something missing from the spaghetti, turkey, the roast, and tacos are never going to be the same again.

One thing that I am going to miss the most will be looking into the stands at games and not seeing your smiling face looking back at me. You have always been at my games since I was a blond haired, snot nose 9 year old playing for the PAL Sargents, through High School basketball, and now on through beer league softball with a bunch of fat out of shape 40 somethings trying to hold on to one last stitch of our youth. I loved it when I told you of the new home run rule and you said in that the rule was idiotic in your own way. That you didn't come out to see someone hit a home run then trot down to first and then back into the dugout to sit down. When you said that in front of everyone it got everyone laughing because you were right.

I am so happy that you got to know my wife and my daughter. I still remember the day after you met Dawg-ette for the first time at Kim's. You gave her a hug and welcomed her into your heart and into your family. Then the next day you called me in the morning and told me I picked a good one and to hold on to her because she is the one who is going to make me happy. Even to this day you are so right. I also still remember the first time you got see Puppy, and how your eyes teared up with joy and that unconditional love you have for everyone. I know that both of them miss you just like I do.

Gram, I know that you are always going to be there watching over me and everyone else. You have done so much for me over the years and you use to always tell me how proud you were of me. But I never got to tell how proud I was of you. You gave a lot of yourself to everyone and never said boo. You never complained about anything, you just went along for the ride. And I know that as I am writing this and the tears stream down my face. You are right here with me trying to make everything better. Gram, I told you in the hospital that I would never say "good bye" to you. Only that I would see you later, and I mean that.

Gram one last thing. I know that you watched the Super Bowl yesterday and I know that your happy the Saints won because they were the underdog. I was hoping they won too, because I knew you were pulling for them. Oh ya, and the Sharks won tonight 3-2. I know you want to know that too.

I miss you and I'll talk to you soon. Love you Gram!