A Grandma's Love

My Grandma Lois means the world to me!   

We have this special bond that will never be broken and I'm proud to call her my Grandma.

I have a few women in my life that I really look up to.  My mother comes first and my Grandma right after.

There is something so special about a Grandma's love and her presence in your life that touches a child's heart so deeply.   I have many fond memories of her as a child and more memories are still being made even to this day.  I still love to write her letters, call her on the phone, e-mail her notes and pictures, anything I can do to create more memories and bring her joy and love in return.  This women (along with my incredible Grandpa Bud, another happy post for another day) has stood by me down in Naples, Florida while I attended Ave Maria University.  Their love and support were incredible.  My Grandma and Grandpa were the ones sitting front row as I read and defended my thesis in college.  My Grandma was the one to drop off food so I wouldn't starve.  She was the one to give away her down pillows because I slept so well on them.  On more than one occasion she would take me and my girlfriends out to lunch.  She was there for my Graduation.  She was the one to introduce me to my first sip of coffee, I'll never forget the day.  Heck, she was even the hip Grandma to join in on all the fun wedding festivities, such as the manis and pedis and even waxing and threading!!!!  She was the first to volunteer to have her eye brows threaded.  Go Grandma!! It truly meant the world to me that my Grandma, who is so important to me, could be there with my mom and I as we got ready for the wedding.  I always want my Grandma to feel loved in every way possible.  She has done so much for others, and is beyond generous and loving and always wants to help people.  This past October, it was my turn to give back some of the love she had shown me.  So, on my wedding day, I really wanted my Grandma to feel loved and get pampered.  It was my chance to surprise her with something special. 

 A few months before my wedding, I pulled up a box from the basement.  In the box was my Grandma Loie's wedding dress!  I took it with me downtown Chicago when I went to visit the florist and told them how special this dress was to me, my Mom and to my Grandmother.  They were in awe over how gorgeous her dress was and promised to use the lace on all three of our bouquets!!!   So, my wedding day arrived and the florist came.  I was stunned at how perfect each of the bouquets turned out.  Then in walked my Grandma.  I told her that before she got her hair and makeup done that I had something special for her.  She said, "for me???" and I said "YES, for you Grandma".  Then I handed her her bouquet and explained how it was wrapped in her wedding dress.  She was in such shock and surprise because she didn't even know we still had her wedding dress.  

I can still hear her saying, "my wedding dress?  you wrapped it in my dress?" and seeing how touched she was, the happy tears came. 

Then I showed her how they had wrapped it around my bouquet as well, even down to the button details!

And I love to hear my Grandmother talk, he expressions, her words, her emotions, her responses, they touch me deeply and make me smile!

Here my grandma is, each step of the way.  She even rode with me on the way to the church and kept my mind off of being ridiculously excited!!!

My Grandma is so beautiful!!!  She definitely looked stunning that day!

And here we are, three generations:

These are by far, the two most important people in my life!  If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be the person I am today.  They are both my heros and each in their own way.  I have so much love in my heart for both of them and I can't wait to share the story of my love for my mom.  If it weren't for her, I don't know where I would be.  Hopefully one day, I can be more like these women.