Today I am thankful for the life of my grandmother, Roberta E. Hill, or GM as I always referred to her in writing.

I am thankful that last summer I was given the opportunity to fly back from Ghana and spend a week with GM as her health changed.

I am ever so grateful that all my children came to know and love their “great grandma”.

She passed away on June 1st, 2018.

We feel the loss.

Today I am grateful that our family could come together and cry, weep, laugh and remember GM…together.

Remember the 65 years of marriage she and my grandfather (or GP) celebrated shortly before his death.

Remember her love of music and travel.

Remember her love and devotion to caring for her family.

Remember some of her quirks that were so uniquely her…and chuckle once more.

It is truly the end of an era for me. An end of escaping to the safety and rest of Arizona and into the care of my grandparents.

And I will miss it deeply.

I cherish the memories.

I am so grateful for them.

Last summer as the kids and I said goodbye, my mom led all of us in reciting Psalm 23. It was beautiful and apt to get to recite it with my kids as part of the memorial.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Amen