Day 16: Grandma D.

My Grandma D. was one amazing woman.

I've been thinking a lot of her this week because it was a year ago this weekend when I last spent time in her presence. I was in South Dakota for my aunt Judy's funeral and was able to spend time sitting with Grandma -- sharing a DQ treat -- listening to her giggle -- and tell her I love her. Just over three months later she left this earth and entered her eternal home.

From a young age my grandmother's joy, positivity, patience, humor and spirituality affected my life. Spending time in my grandparent's farm home was always an anticipated event. My Grandma would be sure to make our stay fun -- chocolate crinkles, places to play and things to play with, walks in the country, cinnamon rolls for breakfast, treats for the way home and more. Of course, she was also the one who would do things like chase me around the house with box-elder bugs that she's put down my shirt and wrap up some of those dead bugs for me at Christmas time. She also took time to send cards on holidays and birthdays and often included $5, a poem and some scripture. What I remember most about time spent with Grandma is her smile, her laugh and how she found joy in the simplest things.

Since her death in June, our family has been blessed and challenged by reading the almost 200 notebooks she had spent almost 50 years filling with her thoughts, prayers and scriptures. She poured her heart out on these pages. From the few I've read so far one theme stands out -- Grandma was completely dependent on the Lord. She prayed over and over for the Lord to give her joy... and wow, the Lord provided it... little did I know how much she had asked for this spirit! There's so many treasures held in these notebooks and I'm confident I will be influenced by these pages written by my grandmother for years to come.

I'm overwhelmed when I think of the heritage of faith I've been given. When I think of the countless prayers my grandmother prayed for me over the years! When I think of the prayers all of my grandparents and great-grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles and cousins and more have prayed for me. What have I done to deserve a heritage such as this? And, what am I doing with the strong foundation I was given?

One thing is certain: I want to be just like my Grandma as I grow older. Really, I want to be exactly like her. If you ever had the opportunity to meet her, you understand.