IT’S FRIDAY!!!  A somber one for me.

“He died that day because his body had served its purpose. His soul had done what it came to do, learned what it came to learn, and then was free to leave.” ~Garth Stein

Twenty years ago today, my Gramma Tilly passed away.  Two days later, Grampa followed her and left us as well.  I like to think he died of a broken heart.  I was 17 years old when two of the most important people in my life were suddenly gone.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of them. in some aspect.  They were quirky.  They were wonderful.  They were loving.  Yet they were also a bit on the “grrrr” side if you stepped out of line.  They yelled at each other.  She had this incredible laugh.  You would wake him from a seated nap to him defending, “I wasn’t sleeping – I was inspecting the inside of my eyelids.”  She smelled funny.  He liked his Blackberry Brandy beneath his desk.  She left the butter and mayonnaise out on the counter all the time.  They loved their Jeopardy, Bob Ross, and Wheel of Fortune.  Every morning on my walk to school, she’d poke her head out the door, waving and shouting, “Have a good day, Leesee!” And oh how the family got together to play cards. ❤

I’m so grateful they lived next door when I was growing up.  I truly got to spend a lot of my influential years with these two characters.  And I love them still. Oh, so very much.  And they loved each of us.

Walter & Tilly.  Truly loved, forever missed.

Embrace those that you love today.  Have you lost someone?  Honor them and share your favorite memory in the comments below. I’d love to hear about them. ❤