Grandmas

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It seems to be the purest, most family-centered day of the year. As long as I can remember, Grandma and Grandpa Kaiser would come to our house (or we'd go to theirs) for lunch, Lions, naps, and board games... This year, Grandma decided to go to her new home for Thanksgiving. Yesterday morning, quite unexpectedly, she had a stroke and at 1:00 this morning, she left for her feast. She was the most unbelievable Grandma. She was so full of life, love, and warmth beyond what my simple words can describe. She was so strong, wise, and gentle. Her love for God was so evident in everything she did.

This week will be very hard, but I'm thankful. I'm thankful that she had 78 FULL years on this earth. Even yesterday morning, while she ate breakfast with Grandpa, she was still the same Grandma we've always known. She lived her 57 years of marriage to the fullest. I am thankful for my 28 great years with her. She was there for my birth, my soccer games, my graduation, my senior recital, and she was able to be a part of my wedding. Every birthday she would make me a pumpkin pie, and I still got one last month. Every summer they would make sure I got a chance to waterski, even if it was the only time they took the boat out all summer. Grandma even skied herself within the past 5 years! I am thankful that she raised such amazing children. My mother is an amazing woman and I can see where she got it. When I watch my mom be a grandma to my nieces and nephews, I am reminded of how my grandma was when I was younger. My 3 uncles are strong, godly men. It is an honor to be part of the heritage.

I could go on an on about why I am thankful for Grandma Kaiser. She enriched my life more than she even knew. The holidays will not be the same without her, especially this one. But it's okay, because death is not the end -- not even close. She is dancing with Jesus, more healthy and happy than she has ever been, and for that, I am MOST thankful. If anyone deserves that happy ending, I think it would be Grandma. I like to think that one of the first people to meet Grandma Kaiser when she walked through those gates was a good friend of hers, my Grandma England, who passed away just eight weeks ago today. I cannot thank God enough for both ladies, I loved them so much. They were both perfect grandmas in their own way.

Cherish the ones you love, and praise God that we do not grieve as those who have no hope.