Memories...

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I know that Facebook has gotten a bad rap but this time around using it I feel connected to my family that is so far away. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for Nana. She was a special person. I have so many fond memories of visiting her and grandpa Beck in Chicago. Even though we were not close location wise, I still felt close to her. The trips we made to Chicago each year were very special. I still remember going to her house (10303 Chaucer) as a child and every year I would ask them to drag out my mom's old Barbies. Every year my grandpa would dig into the depths of the basement to find the Barbies for me to play with. I would spend hours playing in the back bedroom. They would always comment how quiet we were playing for that length of time. It was peaceful there and safe. I was surrounded with people who loved and cared about me. Nana would always make a roast and creamed spinach or was it creamed corn? (at my sissy's request). I remember her cute Easter tree she had up every year with all the cute little Easter ornaments. I used to love the pretty lady figurine light she had in the bathroom. It was like a pretty nighlight. Isn't it funny how we remember the little things? I think that's a good lesson for parents. It's not about the big trips or spending money or the big toys, you remember the LITTLE things.

I remember one year my mom and dad flew me and my sister to Chicago by ourselves so that they could paint the garage, and probably just get some time themselves. I don't remember a lot about the trip. Everyone always jokes that my sister had a list of things ready to do when we got there. I dont'remember if it was the same trip but I cleary remember it was winter and dragging my Nana through a couple feet of snow to go to McDonalds (she didn't drive at the time). She got stuck a few times in the drifts!

I think the most special times spent with Nana were snuggled up in bed before we went sleep. I would ask her to tell us stories about when my mom was little. Me and my sister requested the same stories about 100 times. She told the same story over and over and it never got old. My favorite was the one where my mom thought she could bring the case of milk bottles up the stairs by herself and she ended up falling down the stairs with the milk. Doesn't sound like a great story- but Nana made it the best most exciting story ever. Or when my mom went ice skating with her friend against her parents wishes and she ended getting a huge gouge in her head. Oh, she told a good story!

I miss you and love you Nana. I am happy you are not in pain anymore.