Casey, Drew, and Lex because you are so young I want to share this with you so that you never forget GiGi or how much she loved you. The smile she would get
when we were around was priceless.
GiGi passed away this week. She was 93 almost 94. She did live a
great life but the timing was very unexpected. I think that its really
important for you to know and remember how wonderful she is and how much
she loves you. Whenever you were around she was all smiles. She loved seeing how you played (and fought) with each other and your cousins. It has been really hard to say goodbye to her because
she was such an important person in my life. Through good times and bad
she was there to love and support. I know that she still will from above
but the fact that she isn't here to talk to or smile with is tough. And I really hope
that you remember just how much she loved you, how much she loved to dance, how much faith she had in people and in Jesus, and that smirky smile she would get on her face when she thought she did something bad. (Although her idea of 'bad' was not bad at all. The worst thing she probably ever did was write a letter to someone in which she told them that she didnt like them but that she still loved them because Jesus said she had to. That was GiGi ) GiGi loved life and I hope that we can all do the same and follow her example.
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| This picture is really "her." |
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| Drew always gave a good smile despite his protests. Maybe it was her love...or the donuts we always had there. |
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| Pie Day 2014. I hope I can make the Thanksgiving pies without her. She always added that little bit of love that made them great. |
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| Passing on her talent. Despite her hands hurting, she crocheted each of her great-grandchildren a blanket. Then she taught Casey how to crochet too - she was so
excited to pass that skill on so I really hope you stick with it. |
Her funeral was
exactly what she would have wanted - a celebration of her life. There
were tears because she will be missed so much but there were a lot of
smiles, people wearing her favorite color - red - and singing and
clapping too. Saying goodbye at the cemetery was so hard because it
seems so final but an honor line of people singing and clapping to her
favorite song - Cozy Morley's A Closer Walk - played by her grandson
followed her to her resting place. Quite honestly it was a really
beautiful and I'm sure she was swaying her arms along with us.
Just a closer walk with Thee
I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be
When my feeble life is over
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be
(I think originally it was patsy cline but she loved
Cozy Morley's spin - because she knew him from seeing him play in Wildwood. She would close her eyes and sway along.)
It
is really the first time that any of you have lost someone close. You
are all so young but I hope that you remember GiGi and how much she
adored each of you.
