It's sad to think of the number of people who's strongest impact happened after they left this earth...Vincent van Gogh, Emily Dickenson, Edger Allen Poe, Tupac. It took their deaths for many people to realize the difference they made in life.I'm sad to admit that this is also the case for a woman by the name of Louise Adams Dunckel...or as I liked to call her, Gramma.
My Gramma was a unique combination of southern bell and bombshell vixen. Beginning in the seventh grade and up until she left us, she was a platinum blonde and was sure to inform all females who came into contact with her of the benefits of being one. Her red lipstick was never far away, and like any classy lady, she was sure to reapply several times a day. One of her favorite phases was "oh, heavens yes!" and once in reference to a boy I was acquainted with, she told me that "he was the kind of boy who she'd let put his shoes under her bed."
My Gramma never forgot your birthday and always sent a card. In later years, these were homemade cards that she printed on the computer so she could personalize them to each family member and friend she was sending it to. She loved Christmas and always started shopping for the following Christmas shortly after it was celebrated. In looking around my apartment, her creative sense of gift-giving can be seen everywhere, from the 'Noelle's Kitchen' crock that holds the ladles and spatulas that I never use, to Babe, a ceramic pig that sits close to my entry and protects me from intruders.
On June 3, in the early hours of the morning, my Gramma passed away. Unexpectedly. At her funeral, the church was packed, and virtually every person in attendance donned her favorite color - RED. Gramma liked red. Red, red, red. It was apparent the number of lives she touched in her life, but I had idea the impact she would have in death. I still miss her terribly and am fearful that I will not make it through Christmas without shedding buckets of tears. Losing her has changed the entire dynamic of my family, almost as if she was glue holding us all together.
I regret so much in terms of my relationship with this woman. I regret that I didn't call her as often as I should have. I regret that mocking manner I used when describing her to my friends. I regret that I took her being there for granted. Most of all, I regret that I didn't get to tell her how much I loved her before she left us.
I love you Gramma. I always have and I always will. I miss you and I wish you were still here. I wish you could fix us.
This post is part of Think Kit by SmallBox
Today's prompt: Who made a difference for you this year?
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