Dear Gramma...

I know I’ve told you this before, but I love you! You are the Best! You’ve always been easy to be around. Your laugh and joy for life are contagious and I am honored to call myself your granddaughter. I have always, even today, thought you are beautiful and though I wasn’t lucky enough to inherit your great legs, I do believe I inherited your sassiness and fight for life…and we both know sassiness can carry you further

You know, “Jane” means “Gracious Gift from God”. You have always been a gift to me and that is why I didn’t think twice about naming my sweet girl after you, Emily Jane. Thank you for always loving me and even the love of my life, my quiet husband Jason and our sweet daughter. You know, I still have the card you sent from when Noah was born, congratulating us for the birth of a baby boy. The money is even still in the card. I am so sorry you never got to meet him. He would have loved you and I know you would have snuggled him close.

Gramma, thanks for all the memories that you have given me over the last 37+ years! My favorite thing growing up was going up to the Mogollon Rim with you and Gramps to camp and explore. I loved playing games with you guys and learning Pinochle. We must have sounded crazy to the neighboring campers yelling, "Corner on the Market on Rye!" I loved waking up to the smell of kielbasa and eggs on the camp stove, or bacon and then later having popcorn cooked in the bacon grease. Of course, some of my favorite memories are spending hours on end in your closet trying on your shoes and accessories and dressing up in your jewelry. I always wanted to be as beautiful as you and my mom…you both have shown me that beauty is only skin deep but true beauty lies within the heart. And, even though I never was a great dancer, or even a very good one, your love for it and the beauty and ease with which you and Gramps glided around on the floor has given me a great appreciation for it.

You and Grandpa have shown me how to love in thick and thin. Thank you for being an example to people everywhere of a marriage that can last a lifetime! That is a rarity in this day and age but a huge testimony that love endures! I know my parents have that kind of love and I know that Jason and I are well on our way to 70+ years of loving each other!

Well, I know you are going to live until you are 104, so I hope you aren’t mad at me for saying these things now! I’ve learned that life is too short and we can think many wonderful things in our heads and hearts, but if we don’t share them with those around us, then they just don’t mean anything! I just wanted to take this opportunity while you had to sit still for a moment and let your hip heal to tell you that even though I don’t get to see you as often or talk to you all the time, I love you so much and thank God, truly, that He made you just the way you are, sassiness and all, and that He loved me so very much to make you my Gramma! I love you and am praying for your recovery! And though you can’t necessarily tune in, I am dedicating my radio show to you today! I love you, Gramma! Love, Boo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

(Make sure you don't forget to tell the people in your life that you love them.)