{OUR GRANDMA}

We made a trip down to the valley this weekend to see our Grandma Patty. She has had cancer for a while now and earlier this week it began the final stages of taking over her body. We went down Friday night to get to spend some time with her. When we got there she was unable to move or speak with us. She was in severe pain and kept on constant pain medication. We know that she could hear us though and she was happy we were there with her. Matt, Gage, Garrett and I got to spend the last few hours of her life in that little Hospice room with her. We got to tell her all about the boys' latest accomplishments and all their sillies. Gage sang her his favorite song. {Twinkle Twinkle Little Star} We even got a little smile out of her then! Matt had some time to tell her what a great Grandmother she was while he held her hand. And I got to tell her how much we love her and promise her that we would let our little misters know all about her and how much she loved them and what a sweet woman she was. We didn't fully realize that when we told her goodbye that night, it would be for the last time. She passed away only minutes after we left. It was hard for everyone to let her go but we are so grateful that her suffering has passed.

She didn't want us to grieve her death. She wanted us to celebrate her life. So here is a little celebration for our Grandma!

Born January 6th, 1941, Patricia Ann Crowe Broomall was a lover of all people, ESPECIALLY her family. While going through her things after her passing we all laughed as Aunt Vicki mentioned how delighted she would be now, seeing her family all together looking through pictures and enjoying all of the memories. Her family truly was the greatest treasure in her life. In all my time of knowing her I never once heard her speak ill of anyone. She treated me as if I had been born into her family and I never once doubted the sincerity of her love for me. She believed that gray hair was the most beautiful shade on any woman. She loved serving others and even found energy to volunteer when it was difficult for her to get around. Have you ever had Prickly Pear ice-cream? Grandma Patty has! Apparently it is quite tasty! Perhaps when the boys are older we will find a little parlor where it is served and we will tell them how their Great-Grandma loved it so, and how she also loved mayonnaise in her spinach! We could tell them how she loved her dogs as if they were another member of the family. Or how we found stacks and stacks of cards tucked away all over her house because she couldn't throw them away. Those small kindnesses meant so much to her. Maybe one day when they are sitting and drawing at the little table that she gave Gage last year, we can tell them how she would have loved to have that drawing on her fridge and how she would have told them it was the most fantastic piece of art she had ever seen! And she would mean it. And one day when I find candy stashed in the drawers next to their beds I can tell them how they are just like their Great-Grandma Patty! And they will smile and laugh and say "Grandma Patty sure sounds great!" Then I will get to smile back at them and say "Yes, she was."