Corinne Hart
Dear Grandma, When I was a little girl, visiting you was one of my most favorite things in the world. You were the very coolest grandma any grandchild could wish for and I know Jamison, Dylan, Mike and Brian feel the same way. When I was with you, everything was like a fairytale. I knew that none of my friends got to whiz around the fun streets of a storage center in a golf cart with their grandma in the passenger seat. Being with you meant endless hours of playing cards, bowling, and eating copious batches of gooey delicious, monkey bread. Even as a little girl, I knew I was lucky to have you as my grandma ? leading my brothers and cousins through these magical adventures. And then, as I grew up, I started to realize ? you weren?t just a cool, magically-fun grandma; you were an amazingly special and good person. You were an adventurer, who traveled to California as a teenager and decided to put yourself in charge of your own destiny, forever changing the course of your life. You were a dedicated hard worker who had many diverse talents and an unwavering work ethic. You had many different careers ? from being a school teacher in a one roomed schoolhouse to one of the only women working as an electrician at the shipyards during World War II. You were a gifted storyteller and writer with an enviable openness to share your journey with others. You left us all an amazing gift by creating your book of stories and allowing us into some of your most personal, difficult, and joyous life moments. I cannot wait to share your stories with my children one day and maybe even write a book of my own that they can then share with their grandchildren. I have always cherished the lesson you taught me to keep a journal and write about my thoughts, and the importance of writing for both yourself and for others to enjoy. You were a joyful smile-maker and giving friend. I?ve never known anyone with such a big heart who truly exuded joy and positivity and put smiles on the faces of everyone you were around. Maybe it was because everyone around you knew that you were a bona fide graduate of the University of Hugs or saw you wearing your ?free hugs? pin, so they knew a big, loving hug was coming their way. Or maybe, their smiles were because you were cracking jokes and making them laugh with your hilarious sarcastic wit. And of course, you were an amazing, loving mother. You were incredibly nurturing and supportive of all your children. I have watched you always be there for my dad through everything. You even quit your job to help him with his scratchpad company while he was in college. You were his lead saleswoman and even once pushed your way through a crowd to show President Eisenhower your son?s crazy twirly scratchpad invention. You?d do anything for your children. And to me, you were a best friend. You were my advice giver and role model. During our long weekly phone chats, we would talk about life and I could always count on you for great guidance and insight. You were a leading source of inspiration in my life. And even though you are now gone, I am going to always remind myself of your wise advice and life lessons and remember your smile and hugs when things get hard. I hope I can be just even a little bit like you so I can be the great friend, mother, grandmother, andwoman that you were. Love you, Grandma. Corinne