I have so many memories of growing up with my grandmother, and for awhile she and my grandfather were both mother and father to me while my mom was working hard as a single mother. I was so close to her for this and so many other reasons. I can't remember a winter in my youth that she and my grandfather did not have their RV parked on the side of our house for months at a time, their door was always open to me. On Christmas mornings I would tip toe out to the RV to wake up Grandma and Grandpa to come in for presents. She was the face I would see in the mornings when my mom went to the hospital to give birth, telling me yet again, it was another boy. I spent many Summers at her home picking peas and veggies from her beautiful gardens and playing scrabble. Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dan taught me how to fish, play cards and I spent many an afternoon and evening watching soap operas with her and Cops with grandpa - both appointment t.v. shows. As I grew older and life was more busy I always found time to wander out to the RV and visit or play a game. As a mother, I would often call her to find out how to cook foods she prepared for me as a child, of course brought to the table on her homemade pot holders. I am so lucky that each of my children have a huge puzzle she completed just for them to have in her memory. Grandma Judy lived life on her terms, with a spunky attitude and great sense of humor. I have spent may days in my garden thinking of her and my grandfather in the past and more so in the past few days. I will miss her as she has always been there for me, loved me unconditionally, supported me through my mission, and some of life's tough choices. So, in a way, I feel like I am missing more than a grandmother, but a mother and close friend, but she will really always be with me.
One of our visits with the kids and out to dinner with family.
The old girl completing crosswords at the beachhouse, her morning ritual.
Watching all of her great grandkids playing on the beach and soaking in a little sun herself.
