Dear Mammaw,

I won't lie, I cried some today. A lot actually. When I got the news that you were no longer with us it completely broke my heart.

Growing up you were my best friend.

I'll never forget running across the living floor with Ben trying to out-run the "switch" that you would crack us with if we dared to get to close. We laughed so hard.

I remember your peanut butter fudge and Thanksgiving dressing.

I remember how a few of your fingers were crooked from falling down a flight of stairs carrying coke bottles and I remember thinking you had the softest hands in the entire world.

You were never too tired or too sick to rub my head or tickle my arm and we would sit and talk for hours about little things that don't even seem to matter now.

I will never forget the look that you would get on your face when one of your grandkids walked through the door. We were always made to feel special and unique.

Today is a sad day for all of us here on Earth.

But oh my goodness, I get chills when I think of the welcoming party you had when you stepped into Heaven with Jesus.

I can picture you walking up to Papaw and giving him a big ole kiss and saying "Why, hello there Fred".

I picture you grabbing your little girl that passed away at barely a few months old and hugging her and telling her how much you have missed her and how beautiful she is.

I picture you meeting you dad for the first time and hugging your mom and sisters and brothers, and sweet Aunt Virginia.

I know that your home-coming was a glorious one.

I am so glad that we have the hope of seeing you again one day.

I can't wait to see your beautiful smiling face and hold your hands and let you introduce me to all the friends you have made while you've been there.

I love you Mammaw. Today was a sad day, and the next few will be the hardest of all, but I know you are up in Heaven, smiling down and saying "I love you baby girl".

I love you too.