When I was a child, I used to watch my Amazing grandmother wither in pain every day as her entire body was engulfed in the worst case of Rheumatoid Arthritis that I have ever seen. Yet she would always make sure we were all happy, putting others before her own needs. When I was 13,000 miles away stuck on the Island of Okinawa in the Marines, she made sure I got my allotment of her cookies. Now that I’m in my 50′s and my back is aching from arthritis, and I face a battery of tests on Monday to see how far my Lupus and tumors have gone, I realize that she was the strongest and sweetest grandmother I could have ever had. She faced her pain ensuring that others knew about Jesus, and loving them through her physical daily agony. I used to wonder why she would get cranky sometimes (seldom), and now I understand that she had the right to be angry all the time with the daily pain she faced. My Dearest Grandmother, you were a sweetie beyong my imagination. I long for the day when I can tell Jesus, “Look, that’s my Grandmother Dorthy. She made sure I got here to spend eternity with you.” It’s been many years since you passed, but for some reason tonight, as my body aches, my heart is heavier and grateful from missing you. You were amazing. I love ya Grandma, I just thought I’d let you know.
