Grandma Olsen

She has been on my mind a ton lately. She has been gone just over a year now and oh how I have missed her. I miss her calls. She meant so much to me. I was searching through photos for a photo project I am doing and ran across some photos of her. I loved her smile and her gentle touch.

Here is the poem I wrote and read at her funeral.

Grandma how I loved you so

Now I must say goodbye

I know it is your time to go

Although it’s still not easy

I’ve always admired you

From my beginning to your end

You were courageous and strong

More than anyone I’ve ever known.

You have been through so much

But you kept on going.

You had a life to live

You wanted to watch the children grow.

All of which you adored

We meant so much to you

For this is why you fought.

Even though you were hurting

You have seen us grow

We have watched you in awe

You have been through a lot

But never did you complain

The pain you must have lived with

The strength and love you had

God was always with you

No matter how bad

Your love showed through your pain

As you were always there for us

You kicked us and pulled our hair

But only out of fun

We always played along

Your hands were like silk

Your feet were in pain

We always had a lot of fun

You were saddened that you were not

The grandma you hoped to be

You could not bake cookies and

Play in the park with me

I told you that it was OK

Because you were my grandma

I knew you loved me no matter what

You were always there

In my eyes you were the best Grandma

It seemed as if you always had a job for us

Large or small we did not care

We knew it would help you out

We might have complained just a little

But deep down we knew you couldn’t do much

So we always liked to help

I loved to come and visit

I loved to comb your hair

To take care of you

And get you ready for bed

I loved your smell of lavender

I loved playing “This Little Piggy”

On your feet with missing toes

You happened to be missing the one

That did not get none and the one

That went wee wee wee all the way home

That would always make you smile

You were ornery and feisty

You even gave us a hard time

You always told us how it was

But we always knew you loved us

You had a huge heart and the best of hugs

Even though your were crippled and stiff

You had a very special gift

Now that you are gone

I will miss you

You were a one of a kind, kind of lady

God called you home

May you enjoy your life in Heaven

Happy and pain free

I know Grandpa is there

Awaiting his young lady

Go meet up with everyone

And have a family homecoming

Just wipe away your tears as

Grandma would always say

You loved me while I was here

Hold onto my memories and

Keep me close to your heart

We will meet again

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can only hope to be as strong as you one day

I love you Grandma

You will always be in my heart

I have many fond memories of you

I have much admiration for you

For all the love and strength you showed us

Family meant the world to you

And you meant the world to us

I love you Grandma forever and all eternity