Amazing Gracie

My wonderful mother in law passed away yesterday in the early morning hours surrounded by my husband, one of his sisters and her partner.   She died peacefully and surrounded by love, isn't that the perfect way to breathe your last breath?

Gracie is seen above with my two son's (Mr 20 year old and my Teenager) in November of this past year.  She adored her family, and took great pride in each and every member.  Gracie gave us all strength and led a life filled with purpose.  She made it her mission to always help, to volunteer, to make this world a better place.  She has instilled that in all of us.  See will be missed more than I can say.

She adored her youngest grandson as much as the oldest.  She was thrilled that we are adopting Little Buddy.  At the age of 95 1/2 she was as interested in him as she was when Mr. 20 year old was born.  One of the many things I have learned from her is to be active in a child's life.  To really care and be at their level.  She always was that way with my kids and believe me if she had been able to she would have been on the floor playing cars with my Little Buddy, just like she did with my older two.  She made it her mission to be at important events, flying down from Wisconsin just to be at big swim meets, big soccer games, triathlons, graduations and birthdays.  Even when it was 93 degrees out, she would gladly go back to finals of a swim meet, and sit in the sun for hours just to see her grandson swim a race that lasted less than one minute .  That is love and devotion, my boys will always hold the love and devotion she showed them deep inside of them, forever.

Gracie helped shape my husband into the wonderful man he is.  Who in their right mind would adopt a special needs child at the age of 59?  A man who was influence to live the way he has by this wonderful woman.  I really can not imagine a world where she is not present, a world where she is not active and participating.  But I know for sure the world is a much better place for having had her in it, we are a much better family, and much better people for having her love,kindness, and direction.

I have written about Gracie several times before, you can read about her here and here.  Keep in mind these were written when I was a very new blogger, not that I am all that fantastic now or anything.

Gracie you have been amazing in every part of your life.  I feel blessed to have had you as a mother in law and a grandmother to my four boys (she loved Max, too).  I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.  Thank you for including me in your family.