For those of you who know us, or have been awesome followers since day one, you know a little about how this blog got started. It all happened around Leona. Renae's and my grandma was one of the most amazing women in our lives, and we decided to name this little corner of the blogosphere 'Leona Lane,' after the street that will be forever internalized in our minds as 'hers.'
Today marks two years since Grandma passed. Two long years of crazy, new adventures; for me an amazing husband, for Renae a big move, for Jen an adorable new baby. Talk about adventures. It's also been two years of remembering Grandma, and sometimes (often) tears. I mostly remember the good, and not how sick she was right before she passed. Nathan and I have been hoping for the past two years to purchase her home on Leona, and keep her memory and her beloved yard and gardens alive. I found out last week that crazy dream I had was just that. A crazy dream. Heartbreaking to say the least, but I do know that I'll always have my memories, and I don't need her house for those.
I love that cinnamon gum always makes me think of her.
And Andes mints with coffee.
How she'd pick me up from school, or volleyball practice, or come to my games when everyone else was too busy to make them. I couldn't wait to see her green car in the parking lot.
When I think of one of my biggest cheerleaders during those silly, crazy junior high and high school years, it was most definitely her. Thank you for the hours you spent quizzing me for exams grandma...
How I used to call her up without a moments notice and say, 'can I spend the night?' And she'd say 'yes.' No hesitation. And then I'd ride my bike so quickly to her house.
Her 'grandma smell.' The best smell ever. I still have one of her goofy sweat shirts, and I'll never ever wash that smell out of it.
Her love of people watching. We'd walk around the mall or Riverfront Park... I think I inherited that from her.
How we shared a birthday every year. I thought it was so cool I was born the day before her birthday. I'm so thankful for those birthday memories.
Playing dress up on holidays in her old dresses and jewelry with Rachel, Renae and Annie.
How pine needles will never quite be the same for me... She'd spend hours raking them into piles and loved every minute.
Her hands. There's something special about her hands, that words can't really explain.
How she gave the best advice. How I'd love for some of that advice now that I'm old enough to appreciate it...
The little piles of weeds she'd leave at our house when we got back from vacation.. You always knew grandma had been there.
Her 'gramme' license plate. She was so so proud of her grandchildren.
And I remember when she cosigned my first car with me. How my little 6-speed accelerated on the freeway and she got so excited. 'Vroom-vroom,' she'd say. And I just laughed at her. I had no idea I'd remember that silly moment forever.
How she married the love of her life, 54 years after they fell in love in junior high. I'll always smile about that story.
How even when her memory started fading, she was still cheerful and able to joke about it.
How she said 'I love you' for the very last time, right before she went to be with her Lord. She looked so very peaceful.
I love you tons Grandma. And I miss you like crazy. Today and every day.
