Today.

Today would have been my sweet Gramma's 81st birthday. Not having her with us the last few months has been hard. At times, missing her has hurt so much that it literally takes my breath away. Other times, all I want to do is crawl in a hole and cry. Even so, her legacy of love carries on.

My gramma would go out of her way to make someone feel welcome. She always had cookies baked and frozen for the possibility of needing to give some for a special event at her church. She tried to connect with us, all of us, every couple of weeks. We'd go and have dinner, or lunch, or she'd call, or I'd call her. Her home was our home, any day or time.

When my grandfather lost his sight, my gramma went to work. She was an amazingly hard worker who could do anything she set her mind to. She continued to do so throughout the rest of her life, mowing her own lawn up until last summer.

As I reflect on the woman that she was, I am thankful that I got to be a part of her life. She taught me many things, how to sew, how to cook, how to crochet. She also helped to teach me how to love, how to embrace life, the importance of family, how to open my life and home to others.

She loved me. She adored my children.

And so, today, in honor of the amazing woman who I will someday see again, I want to honor her. In my life, starting again today, I want to try to make life a little more special for those around me. I want to remember how to open myself to others a little more fully. Her love helped to make me who I am today, and so, starting again today, I want to remind myself to continue her legacy of love.

Gramma J, I love you. Happy Birthday.