Grandma,
I haven't seen you in person since, I believe, 1989 or 1990. All you ever really were to me was a voice over the phone. Here's what I do remember, though:
I remember my disappointment whenever a card arrived from you on a holiday with sticks of stale gum instead of money. And I remember being even more disappointed when the gum stopped coming. As a child I couldn't appreciate such a gesture but for several years now I've been planning on doing the same thing when Bry and Lia have kids.
I remember how it seemed like every phone call from you either ended or began with a lecture on cleaning and helping mom around the house. Maybe if I'd been a better daughter when I still lived at home we'd have had more chances to talk of other things.
I remember the toys for us that you lovingly made by hand. They weren't My Little Ponies or a brand new Tamagochi but even as a little girl I knew I wanted to save them for my own kids.
I remember how years passed without seeing pictures of you and my complete surprise when I did. Mom looks so much like you and, since I know how much I resemble her, I know that someday I'll look just like you, too.
I'd know your voice in an instant if I heard it calling out, "Kimberly! This is your mother!" over the answering machine again but I'll never hear it again.
Grandma, I just moved. If I had known I'd never receive another, I wouldn't have thrown out all the cards from you I found littering my living room as we rushed to pack.
Grandma, we never spoke much in this lifetime... perhaps we'll speak more in the next. I'll always miss you.
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| Practicing to be a Grandma someday. |
