This is the eulogy I gave at Grandma's funeral last week.
Growing up, I knew I had a good thing going with Grandma. In her cupboards I always knew where I could find a special treat. There was always room in her lap for me and she always took time to sing “The end of the rainbow” song to me. We were always able to share a good laugh trying to get the last hit in on one another. Time and time again she did “surgery” to reattach the arm on Button Eyes, my bunnies by Billie original. She had the patience of the saint when came to teaching me how to ‘gnore my brother, braid hair on my Barbies and My Little Pony, crochet a set of coasters, tie my first quilt, or bake a batch of buns. Looking back on all of this, it is easy for me to see why I was pretty sure I was Grandma’s favorite.
As I got older, but not Grandma (she was always 39 you see), I remember having a discussion with some of my cousins about this very thing and we discovered something. Somehow, some way, we had all come to believe we were her favorite. It wasn’t that she told us this out right with words; it was in her actions that led so many of us to feel a special connection between Grandma and grandchild that surely must have meant we are favored. And we were; we were ALL favored.
The special treat that Grandma stocked special for you may have been a tootsie roll, or a Kit-Kat, or a jar of peanuts, or maybe a cherry slice, or a frozen fruit cup, or homemade chocolate chip cookies, but you knew Grandma kept it on hand for YOU.
She may have sung the rainbow song, the cow shed song, boom ditty or some other tune, but she rocked and sang to each and every one of us at some point. And you could be guaranteed as you grew up and announced your engagement; Grandma would enthusiastically volunteer to sing “CeCe Oh Playmate” or “Blue Moon” at your wedding.
In addition to the laughs we were able to share with Grandma playing dumb like a fox, many also had a special last hit, pinch, or word game (can you say Rats-a-frats and Neh-ner, neh-ner, neh-ner!?) that you played with Grandma that helped you feel connected with her. We all had a nickname Grandma liked to use: Spoofers, BJ, Phlip, Nana Banana, Jake the Snake, Kit Kat, Danni, Topher, Ash, Lissie, Aimes, Jen Jen, Tiffer.
Grandma was always eager to help out with mending whether it was a stuffed animal that needed stitching, a hem that needed to be shortened, or a button come loose.
Grandma taught all of us valuable lessons. Some were in the kitchen or at the craft table. We were all taught that if you wanted something clean, warshing was better than washing. Many other lessons were taught from the heart as Grandma time and time again modeled for us how to care for others, welcome all and love big. Grandma’s waiting by the window to wave good-bye, forcing us to share her with classmates for Grandparents Day, having a stocking and gift for every, and I mean every, person who came to Christmas, and getting up early to cook breakfast and wish good luck to the hunters are prime examples of her devotion and love for not only her family, but for others as well.
It takes a very special person with a big heart and lots of love to make 13 (plus 4) grandchildren feel that each and every one of them is favored. And it didn’t stop there. The same deep love and devotion that Grandma bestowed upon each of us was poured out onto the next generation as well. With each and every great, we got to see all over again Grandma’s love for these babes. First there was Lil Ray Ray and Robby, or Scott Robert, who could get her to sit in a parked truck for hours. Next came Grandma’s Willy Lump Lump. Grandma was so very happy when she got her 1st great granddaughter and was able to share her wedding anniversary of March 5 with Danika, also know as little Deana Lee. Then came Sam I Am, Calvin, Hunter, Dom, Miss Makayla and Miss MaKenzee and Grandma’s love never faltered. She continued being able to hear and understand babies so well that somehow each and every one of them was heard time and time again saying, “I like my Grandpa, but I LOVE my Grandma.” When her most recent great was born, Grandma made sure the hospital staff found a way for her and Grandpa to get from his hospital room to the nursery so she could meet her little Teddy bear. Her adoration for them (and a well stocked freezer) earned her a fitting nickname of her own, Grandma Cookie.
13, plus 4, and 11 more is 28 grandchildren. And that doesn’t even count all of the nieces, nephews, neighbors, Sunday School kiddos, friends, girlfriends, and boyfriends of ours that she also loved like only a Grandma can. Each and every one of them loved, cherished and favored. That takes a lot of heart. I also think it takes a lot of faith in and love for God because her love was very much like the reflection of His. I am so thankful that I was blessed to be one of the lucky ones who got to call her Grandma. Thank you Grandma for the lessons, memories, and love you shared. I know that each of us will have a freshly warshed room and open arms waiting for us in heaven.
