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.