It's Not Good-Bye

This past week my husband lost his grandmother, Nannie. She not only was his grandmother but she was also a great-grandmother, a great-great-grandmother, a mother, a friend & a TRUE BLUE Royals fan.

She was 99.

Nannie lived such a full life & on Friday we gathered as a family & celebrated her and the legacy that she has left behind. In some way or another, I think Nannie had a bigger plan. She wanted the family to get together again & to spend some real quality time with one another. & she saw to it that it happened. Justin's uncle, that the boys and I have never met & he hasn't seen since he was a junior in high school, was able to be here & stayed with Janet. So we got to meet and get to know him a little more. Yes, we wish it all would have been under better circumstances but it never fails, something always comes up so this was Nannie's way of telling us we couldn't put it off any longer.

We weren't sure if the boys would understand and I am certain they don't get fully comprehend what has happened but Kaden knew what we all needed to hear.

"It's okay to be sad but Nannie is in Heaven now and will always be in our hearts."

& you know, he is exactly right. She has been welcomed into her forever home with our Lord Jesus Christ and one day we will all be reunited and live together for eternity. Just thinking about being reunited one day with all our loved ones who have gone before us brings a smile to my face.

It's never easy saying good-bye to someone that you love & that loved you and your family but it makes it a little easier knowing what the future has in store for all of us.

Nannie was a remarkable woman. & I was lucky enough to have known her over the last 12 years or so. She instantly accepted me into the family, as though I had always been part of it. & when our boys arrived, she was just so happy to meet them. She loved holding Kaden and Logan & I love that these two little dudes got to meet her & celebrate her life right along with us.

They always made the most out of going and seeing Nannie. We would take her on walks. They would trick-or-treat her room. They would have races as she sat back and gave the signal to go. She would love on them & they would love on her back.

She did amazing things in her 99 years---traveled to Italy at age 90, drove until 91---& attended the 1985 World Series Game 7 here in Kansas City when the Royals took the crown. & although I fully believe she had a plan when she passed so peacefully in her sleep on October 18th, I can't help but think she was buying tickets for the best seat in the ballpark. She is throwing one amazing BASH in Heaven right now as she is cheering on her Boys in Blue.

Cheers to you Sophie!