A moment of silence

Today is my grandma's birthday. It seems only appropriate that I pause for a moment in my day to say a few kind words about her. The last month and a half hasn't been easy. I'm happy to say that my grandma's final wish is looking likely to succeed. I still truly believe that she hung on at the end to give her family a chance to come together and mend some fences. I wasn't sure at first, but my relatives are continuing to reach out to each other in ways they have not before. I'm proud to say that I've put aside my hurt feelings and let go of grudges. My grandma endured a lot of suffering at the end of her life, but she still pressed on in hopes to take care of the heart of our family. She still put others before herself. She taught me to love God. She showed me just how many lives can be touched by one person's example. She embodied peace and kindness and represented everything a woman should be. If I can one day be half the woman she was then I will have succeeded. She was soft and strong at the same time. She was encouraging but never judgemental. Sometimes people seem greater in death than they were in life, but Irene lived a life that death can not surpass. She is an inspiration. So grandma, Happy Birthday. I love you and I miss you.