Grandma VanAntwerpen

This past week Grandma VA finally got her finally hope and desire fulfilled-off to heaven!  This was her sole focus the past couple months and to know that she is finally getting to experience what she could only imagine would be "better by far" made this past weekend a little brighter.  Still there was a much missed presense as all the relatives gathered this weekend.  Most times such a gathering my Grandma and Grandpa were the main focus-the foundation.  It was hard to not have them there to pray, to keep things in order and keep kids in line.  This Grandma was not my candy, spoiling grandma.  Most of my life I think I was a tad afraid of Grandma VA...she was a tad stern and it wasn't until college that I realized she and Grandpa didn't mind having me around.  As I have grown I have found her strong solid beliefs refreshing in today's world.  She was my Grandma who was always praying for me.  She always wanted to know what I was doing or how my family was doing...not with some hidden judgement or opinions but just to pray for me.  Something that was so comforting and refreshing during many times of loneliness and frustration.

 She was a sewing Grandma, she starting making these bears with my brothers and following Grandkids and then for all her great-grandkids.  She always had a package under the tree for her daughters-nightgowns were her specialty, although many times no-one ended up wearing them.  I had sweatshirts, nightgown....many that she made, but again never appreciated or wore!

She made the trip to Tulsa for Thanksgiving twice-so thankful she was willing and able to endure the car ride and get to know my kids.

This was just last year, a special thanksgiving for everyone.

This was the first time all of the cousins have been together since my Cousin Shanna's Wedding...7 years ago?  Everyone is all over the country, Canada, Washington, Colorado, Chicago, Washington DC, Wisconsin.

My VA family.  Such a wonderful time together.  Amazing how refreshing it is to have a couple hours to just sit and talk and remember.