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Hi, I'm Emily.
Sometimes I wonder who comes up with the words inside Hallmark greeting cards. Are they fresh-from-college-marketing-class, scrubbed-up young kids? Are they wisened, experienced people waiting to retire? Are they just clocking their hours and writing witty phrases? Do they write things because they want to say it to someone they know? Do they write from their brain or their heart? I’ll never know.
But I spotted this card Thursday as I was shopping for my grandma and it nearly broke my heart in two as I read it. In fact, truth be told, I started crying right there in Wal-Mart, of all places. Even later as I signed my name to the card, I wished I could underline every phrase because I truly mean them all. She has no idea how loved she is. I wish I could tell her…I wish she’d understand. But love is hard to describe. It aches from bursting at the seams. It hurts from being so full.
Wish we could tell you the number of times you’re spoken about with such pride for being a woman of wisdom and strength, kind, yet with courage inside. And wish that these words could convey the respect you’ve inspired in our family’s eyes. No one could replace the place that you hold in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives.
My grandma turns 94 today. When I stopped by to visit her yesterday, she was the most coherent I’ve ever seen. She was in lively spirits and was actually sneaking some cheese puffs from a baggie tucked away in her dresser when I got there. I took her flowers and she kept exclaiming that they were “the cutest flowers I’ve ever seen!”
I asked her if she remembered that her birthday is tomorrow (which, as I’m writing this, is actually today). She knew, oh, she knew. She said, “Oh yes, it’s going to be a big day. I was born in 1917. I guess that makes me pretty old.” I said, “Oh, no, Grandma, you’re still young!” She started laughing, giggling almost. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
She kept hugging me and thanking me. She told me that she loves her new room and took me to the window to show me that Joe and Suvilla (her brother-in-law and sister) live just down the street there (and she pointed it out), but that she heard that Suvilla isn’t doing very well and she just wishes she could visit her, but she doesn’t know her way around the nursing home so she doesn’t venture outside of her room very much.
I pointed out the garden outside and said that in the spring she’ll be able to see the plants start growing. She liked that very much.
I told her she’d probably be getting a lot of visitors on her birthday. She thought I was probably right. I told her that my parents were in Ohio and she remembered that my dad had told her they were going to go there. She couldn’t remember who lives there, but I reminded her that both of my sisters live in Ohio.
I didn’t get to stay for very long since I was on my way to Washington to shoot a wedding, but she loved that I stopped by and told me to come again when I can stay longer. She told me she loves me. I told her that I love her too and that I hope she has a very happy birthday. She stood in her doorway until I disappeared into the elevator.
I smiled when I left. This was my grandma as I remember her from years ago. The good days make up for the bad.
Em, praying for you… I can remember vividly the last years with my sweet Grandma… You are a great granddaughter. Cherish theses memories. I know you are!
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