An Open Letter to my Grandma in Heaven

A little background information: My grandma passed away when I was 16 years old. She was only 62 years old when she passed. She had many problems with her health throughout her life including polycystic kidney disease, COPD, and she was a smoker. I remember when D.A.R.E would come talk to our class in elementary schools, I would come home from school and see her. (She lived with us for a while so she could babysit us after school.) I would tell her how bad smoking was for her (as if this was new information for her). I would come home with stickers and would post them on the garage door because that is where should would go to smoke. Long story short, I always tried to get her to stop smoking because I cared about her health. Now, I hate when anyone smokes. Especially people in my generation because I know they grew up with D.A.R.E just like I did. We knew from the start how bad smoking is for us, so why even start? Back to my grandma, she was my BEST FRIEND growing up. I would talk to her like I would talk to any of my friends my age. I loved hearing her all her crazy stories about when she was a teenager. She was my best friend, and I spent a lot of time with her growing up. When I lost her sophomore year I was devastated.

Grandma, you were my first best friend. I could talk to you about everything; you were my go to person whenever I had any kind of problem. Then one day you were taken away from me. That was the hardest day of my life, watching you take your last breath. There isn’t anywhere I would have wanted to rather be than with you, but I just wasn’t ready for it to be so soon.  When you first went to the hospital I thought you would be home soon, but it was the last time you were home. My parents had so many plans for you. They were working on getting you a new kidney, so you could live longer. We had no idea we were out of time, your health was already too bad. I can still remember being little – you would stay the night at my house and it would be the best thing ever, especially when you stayed on Christmas Eve. You would always put my hair in curlers or paint my nails pretty much every time I asked. I remember before I would go to kindergarten you would watch all my cartoons with me and pretend you liked them as much as I did. I wish I could visit you in heaven just once and have one more conversation with you. I would have so many questions for you. You were taken too soon from me. You were gone before I could drive.  I missed out on being able to pick you up and take you to lunch, or bring you a coffee and visit with you. My boyfriend was able to drive, and he would take me to see you. But I wish we would have seen you more. When someone is taken from us, we always regret not spending more time with them. I miss you more than anything. You were my best friend, and I miss you every day. I never stop thinking about you or what you would do or say if only you were still here. Here’s a picture of me from graduation. You always said you would be there, so I made sure you were. I love you and miss you so much. 

RIP my angel, until we meet again.

Don’t take your loves ones for granted. We only have so much time with them before they are gone. Call your grandma and have a conversation with her. Ask her out to lunch. Do this with everyone young or old. Anything can happen at any time in our lives. Make each moment a memory.

What’s your favorite ways to make memories with your loved ones?

I would love to hear everyone’s ideas!