My heart has been so full. The Christmas season often brings tender emotions, but since the passing of my Grandma West they are closer to the surface. Everywhere around me I see the evidence of her love in my life and I want to keep our memories alive. I don't want to forget anything...like the smell of Jergen's lotion on her soft hands, the funny songs she taught me to sing, her distinct handwriting, how she nicknamed me Marci pie when I was little and the way she'd laugh while watching MASH (her favorite t.v. show.) Grandma loved to play cards and we played many games of SkipBo and Kings Corner and she would always say "First I draw, then I play, then I discard, that's the way." I loved sleeping in the guest room in Grandma's old house and how the ceiling slanted down and I could lay in bed and touch the ceiling with my feet at the same time. I remember how grandma would fill a large heated water bottle to put at the foot of our bed to keep our feet warm. Grandma would often fix white rice and raisins with milk for breakfast and she called it "Spotted Pup." I will always remember sitting in the living room eating mini pizza's on t.v. trays while watching Little House on the Prairie. We drank Tang a lot and enjoyed frozen push-up Popsicles from the Schwan man in her back yard. Grandma loved Lemon Custard ice-cream, roasted peanuts, pork rines and gummy peaches. She had a stash of empty wooden and plastic thread spools that all the grandkids would play with. She had shelves and shelves of books in her basement. Grandma loved to read. Her favorite color was green...just like her eyes. She loved Christmas and spent lots of time helping us decorate homemade Gingerbread Houses. Of course, these are only the beginning of many memories I will cherish.

I can't help but believe her passing in December was a tender mercy. She loved the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and it is only fitting that she return to her Heavenly Home at such a time.

I took pictures at the funeral and graveside. I'm so glad I did. Ironic how pictures can be so healing and painful at the same time.

I am missing you Gram,...but I know you are near!

I love you!

"This Is The Time!"