Grandma Chiles

Last Wednesday, Christopher's grandmother passed away. Uncle Gary's text message said everything perfectly; that Grandma had been healed. She had been fighting a battle, was tired, and ready to meet God.

The grand kids are all imagining her dancing the chicken dance with Grandad in heaven, like they did at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

It was expected and bittersweet, but still so hard for us to say good-bye. She was a mother of 3, a grandmother of 8 (13 if you count their spouses), and a great-grandmother of 8 (soon to be 10). From the first second I met her, I felt like I was family. She made me feel welcome and a part. She was the glue that held the Chiles family together.

It was a hard and emotional weekend, but so awesome to be a part of a family lovingly remembering Grandma Chiles. Remembering her labeled Tupperware cups for the kids, remembering the way she called Grandad in for lunch, remembering the Christmas stockings filled with Pez, remembering playing in her and Grandad's barn and on their hay bales, remembering her always fussing at Matt (even up until our last visit with her!), remembering her many crafts like her plastic canvas creations, remembering her cooking, remembering her superstitious ways (like if you leave the house and come back in, you have to sit down for 10 seconds before you could leave again), remembering her faith, and remembering her love.

We were able to see her 1-2 times a year, but because of this blog, she was able to watch my boys grow and be a part of our lives on a daily basis. Some people think blogging puts too much out there or is oversharing, but this blog connected us to Grandma. It brightened her day.

We love you, Grandma Chiles, and you will forever be in our hearts.

Grandma, December 2010