How Grandma Said I Love You

As many of you know, my grandma passed away this last week.

If you know her, you know how determined she was at just about anything she did. She said what she wanted to say, did what she wanted to do, and that was that.
But if you know my family, you know we are awkward humans that don't say much about feelings.

I can remember a total of two times my grandma said she loved me. Once, when I was about four and she babysat me. She tucked me in bed and said Goodnight, love you. Another time, on a written piece a paper that she had given me for graduation this past year. But thats not the only way she said I love you.

Grandma said I love you by coming to every dance, every voice recital, every play, ever musical.
I honestly don't know if there was one that she didn't come to. And I was always greeted with a, "You did good".

As if the make up wasn't scary enough, I cried to make sure it was.

Grandma said I love you by wearing every single thing I ever bought her. And then reminding me that I had bought her that and that was why she was wearing it.

Grandma said I love you by teaching me the importance of cats. Cats are very important. Thank you Grandma.

Yes. I bought this shirt for her.

Grandma said I love you by dropping everything just to give me something I wanted. She got us in to the cutest little photo op place for prom pics, and then walked around with us even though it had to hurt so bad.

I love my grandma so I'll post this gross pic of 14 year old me.

Grandma said I love you through her small and sometimes strange presents. But let me tell you, no birthday or Christmas was ever passed without something from Grandma. I'll never forget when I was in first grade and she gave me some used kitty cat sheets. I was 6 and I thought, what the dump. Its been 12 years, and I still use them here at college. Honestly, one of the best presents I've ever received.

Grandma said I love you through her unannounced arrivals at our house multiple times a week. If the doorbell rang more than once, that's probably grandma. If someone walks straight in, that's grandma.

Grandma said I love you through her long talks of, "hmmm there seems like there's something else I need to tell you." No conversation was done before she said this at least three times.

Grandma said I love you by being a great role model for all women, to know that they are important and strong and powerful.

Grandma said I love you by bragging to everyone just how great her grandchildren were, even if they didn't know until she was gone that she did this.

Grandma said I love you by waiting for all her children to get home to see her in the hospital before saying goodbye at last.

Grandma said I love you by raising a family and leaving them as a legacy.

Grandma said I love you in so many ways.
Grandma loved me. I hope she knew that I love her too.

Love, Kasia