Saying goodbye to Grandma Matthews

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Grandma Matthews. My heart is swollen with memories of her spunk and zest for life. She represented, to me, a symbol of a family that I longed for. Because of this special woman, I value what it means to love unconditionally and to stand by each other through the good times and the bad, never giving up on the special bond that holds together a lifelong encasement of support, friendship, advice, and the warm and cozy feeling of family. My tears are bittersweet at this time of loss. I weep in sadness for a bold, confident lady who endured the tough life of raising 4 children while Granddaddy was away fighting for our freedom. I hold great sorrow for a family left behind that reaped the benefits of her stoic, exemplary footprints of motherhood forever ingrained in my memory. However, I’m happy that she has left this earth in peace and the comfort of knowing that she raised her children to lead happy, successful lives who, in turn, gifted others by having10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. As these two sided tears slide down my cheek I wipe them away knowing that we have all benefited from her life and although she physically will not accompany us she will always be a reminding shadow in my life and an echo in heart.

An answered prayer

No matter how much of a planner you are, it is just not possible to predict what life has in store. The proof is in the weather. Right now there are snow flurries falling wistfully as if it's normal for this to be happening in April. Half of my family is in Florida and standing in line at Universal Studios. This was also unplanned. I have learned you can depend on one thing - change is a part of life and we have no control over it. Maybe the small things, like what am I going to eat for lunch or what outfit am I wearing to work the next day, but when life shifts and throws you a curve ball it usually is a part of the big plan. Good does come from out of the ordinary circumstances and in some way seems to be just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes suffering and pain, endured by others, to bring about a change that would be otherwise left unattended. So, maybe I hadn't planned on wearing my winter coat anymore this year, and I surely hadn't intended on spending several days without my husband and eldest son, but like these beautiful and unique flurries, a reminder is made about a force at work. This force is bigger and stronger than you and me. Prayers really do get answered.