Grandma Donna

April 9, 2007. A day we will not forget. It's been a year since my mom-in-law, Steve's mom and Ryan's Grandma left this earth to go to her eternal home, Heaven! How cool for her! How sad for us! It was the day after Easter, and for Ryan (and us, too), Easter this year brought back lots of memories of where we were last Easter. We are so thankful we had 3 days before to spend with her. We've talked lots about her this year and this week we talked with Ryan about how it had been 1 year that Grandma had been in Heaven. We should do something special to celebrate her. He said we should have a party! Well, despite more creative intentions, our party turned into a night out to dinner, talking lots about her and then coming home to have S'mores in the microwave. It was his pick for dessert and he decided it was either cupcakes because that's what we made for her last birthday or S'mores because he first tried them with her at the Dells in WI. The final decision was S'mores.
He had lots of good "chats" with Grandma, even when she just felt like sitting. She had a great way of captivating him into whatever adventure they were on, even if she just played along from the chair. One of the last adventures at our home was that they were Jonah aboard the ship and in the whale(right on the sofa).
. Another thing that Ryan wanted to do for the "celebration" was write a poem. I love the way little minds think. So he composed, and I put it on paper. Although it might be missing rhyme and rhythm, it brought tears to our eyes and would make Grandma proud! Here goes... it's Ryan's words with no deletions or additions.

Grandma, you read books to me when I was little and when you came to our house you played with me.
You gave me lots of Highlights(the magazine), toys, and books.
You taught me lots of nursery rhymes.
When it was Easter you died. All of us were really sad. We went to your funeral. I know you couldn't see us and then me and Mom and Dad got to bring flowers home. I got to keep one in my room and we planted a tree in our backyard to remind us of you.
I know you can't see this, but I have your toys and that birdie you gave me. I'm making lots of new friends at school and I remember I got that wrestling toy for Easter at your house.
I'm really really happy that you are with God, but sometimes I still feel sad. We are going to look at your book (scrapbook mom made) and remember you.