100 Years, 5 Months, 20 Days

My American grandma was born on March 4, 1908, and she passed away on August 25, 2008. She was really the only grandma that I knew. My first home was her house, and even after we moved, we still went to see her, and she would babysit for me sometimes when my parents had to work on Saturdays.

Grandma was a Christian woman who loved to read her Bible and play hymns on the piano. She bought me both of the bibles that I own, and will forever be remembered for her faith in God.

She attended my high school graduation, the first graduation she had ever attended, and after that we went to see her for major events in our lives, my college graduation, wedding, the birth of my children, etc.

This picture was taken the last time that I saw Grandma with my children in May. The weekend that she passed away, she became unresponsive, and we were called. Although she could not talk to us, we know that she knew we went to visit her on the night that she died. I believe that Grandma was waiting for us to come to see her one last time before she went home.

Because Grandma had no immediate family, I was very fortunate to be able to be able to get her pictures, her sewing box, and the hymn book that was always on her piano. As I was gathering the pictures that I wanted, I thought about asking for her desk, but didn't. A few days later I decided that I wanted it, but forgot to call and ask after it. On Thursday I called the pastor to ask about the desk, and he told me that he left the furniture up to the management of the place where Grandma died. I called the manager, and she told me that I was four hours too late. She gave all the furniture to a family that had none. She felt bad, but I told her that it was my fault for not calling sooner. The manager did tell me that if the family had not taken the desk yet, when she got back, she would grab it for me. Fortunately for me, the manager called me and told me that the desk was still there, and I could have it. I went to get it yesterday to put in my bedroom by my bed, and as I look at it, it is not an heirloom piece of furniture, it has no real value except for the fact that it is part of all my memories and reminds me of a time when Grandma use to sit at the desk and talk on a old black rotary telephone.

I will never forget you and will love you always Grandma.