GMC

So today I was describing my grandmother, Charlotte, to my best friend. I was telling her about my 14th birthday when my grandmother threw me a birthday party and we played all the ridiculous games. I literally started crying my eyes out. Its like I told Amanda, its been 5 years and I still can't believe shes gone.

Grandmother always told me she would be here the day I graduated from high school and college, the day I got married, when I had my first child, etc. Well, I've graduated from high school and I'm halfway through college and I'm beginning to approach all these milestones in my life and it hit me all of the sudden, like it did a few years ago, shes not here. Shes not going to be here.

My grandmother was one of the greatest people I ever met. She had a confidence about her that I can only hope to have one day. She knew no strangers. She could walk up to anyone and strike up a conversation. I wish I could do that. She had amazing artistic ability. Because of her, I have my love of art. I sketch some, but nothing compares to her work. More than anything, my grandmother had love to give. She loved me and all of her grandchildren to the fullest. If any of us needed her for anything she would drop whatever she was doing and come to us. I cant tell you how many times she took me to dentist appointments or took care of me while I was sick. I only wish I could have done more for her when she was sick.

I'll never forget the day she told me she had cancer. She took me for a walk in her neighborhood and even when she told me I couldnt fully grasp the enormity of the situation. Its like I felt like nothing could take my grandmother away from me so soon. I felt like she would be one of the success stories. She beat it once. But then it came back. For my fifteenth birthday my grandmother bought me a penguin down blanket. She took me to dinner at souper salad where I sat on her lap for the last time...even though I was 15 years old. She died about a month later. But not until she took me out for a manicure and a pedicure where she proceeded to get her toenails painted red except for her left big toe which was painted green...in honor of the Christmas season. She was just unique like that.

I will never forget what a truly amazing person my grandmother was. I know she is with me everyday. And I hope to one day become the kind of person she was.

I love you Grandmother. Youre always in my thoughts.