Grandma Nelson

My heart is so unbelievably heavy right now...my Grandma Nelson has passed. She passed away on Sunday evening with all of her precious family surrounding her. She was 86. A lifetime of love--my grandmother had 7 children, 19 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A a young age, my grandparents met and fell in love. Within months they had eloped to get married. My grandfather was a divorced man and in those days, it was unacceptable to marry a divorced man. My grandparents spent their life in the firehouse and my grandmother managed the kitchen. I remember going several times a week to the bingo hall with my grandmother while she prepared that night's dinner.

I have a lifetime of memories from the minute I was born until the minute she took her last breath. She was at every big event of mine--she even travelled all the way to Newport News for my college graduation. After my parents divorced, my mom, brother, and I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother served supper not only to a bunch of strangers several times a week, but she opened her home to all of her children and grandchildren nearly every night.

My grandparents didn't have a lot of money, but they always made ends meet. They showered us all with so much love. All 50 of us (spouses included) were there to celebrate her life on Sunday night. We all hugged and cried together. We shared so many great stories. My grandmother, I am sure, looked down and smiled at all of us that night.

Here is one of my favorites of her meeting my little AJ, at 6 weeks old:

Last year at AJ's first birthday party, with all three of the newest additions.

I am back from the longest weekend I have ever had. Today was the hardest day so far. I am so emotional and can't focus. I just worked to put together the slideshow for the viewing on Thursday night--and it made me so happy to see her and her life. I will miss her deeply.

Mom-mom: thank you for everything. You mean the world to all of us and I hope I live a life half as wonderful as you.