day 7

dear grandma bird,

i have never seen such immense love in someone’s eyes. when i looked at you looking at grandpa in his hospital bed last week, i could not help but get lost in your sadness, and yet, there was such an intense connection of love and life. i guess that is what 68 years together does.

i am grateful…

1. that your love and marriage is an enduring example of commitment and loyalty
2. that you and grandpa had my mother and raised her to be the woman she is today
3. for every grandparents’ day that you came to and that you let me share you with aisha, since her grandparents couldn’t be there
4. for your sage grandma wisdom including, but not limited to, making sure to look smokin’ hot for my man, so he’ll never stray
5. for your reliable prayer work and dedication to christian science
6. that you knitted me an amazing baby blanket
7. for your peach cobbler and baby back rib recipes
8. that you made me jump over a broom so i’m not living in sin with my boyfriend
9. for the love and generosity you have for your grandchildren and great grandchildren
10. for the jewelry passed down to me that you acquired from your many travels
11. that you have kept a detailed account of when and where you and grandpa have traveled
12. for the strength you have and the strength that comes with being a “bird woman”
13. and that i am a bird woman
14. for your relationship advice and reminding me that forgiveness is essential
15. for your beauty, in youth and now
16. that backseat driving runs in the family, starting with you
17. that you are always there for my mother (as a mother should be)
18. that you took care of grandpa for all of us, especially over the last few years
19. that you always buy milk in a bag
20. for your skepticism of the internet
21. for that time you got down on the dance floor with anthony at mark’s wedding (seriously, so good)
22. that thanks to you, i will always have a plethora of beautifully embroidered pillow cases
23. for all the photos you collected over the years and the album you created to preserve them
24. that you are healthy
25. for your hugs and big kisses on the lips
26. that you are the glue that holds this family together
27. for how warm and inviting your home has always felt to me
28. for all the times you babysit me as a child
29. for your infamous wall of photos of your 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren
30. that i am your granddaughter