Inside The Rice Box: Saying Goodbye..

I know, I haven't blogged in a while.. Okay, it's been more than a while, it's been forever, but there has been a lot personally going on that I have wanted to blog about but didn't know how to put it in words. I still don't really know how to put it into words, but I'm going to try.

On February 11, 2012, my Grammie turned 90 years old. Growing up, she was my 2nd mommy. As far as I can remember, she has always been there. We live in Colorado with her, she moved back down to Texas with us and we have been inseparable every since. She spoiled Bryan and I more than probably necessary. Teehee.. I remember one specific time (and my mom and dad won't let me forget it, either) that I was told that I COULD NOT have a Baby Ut-Oh.. Back then, in the early 90s, it was the hottest toy and $40+! **Hey that was a lot 20 years ago!!** Well, Grammie wasn't having any part of me not having what I wanted. She went to K-Mart **before the bankruptcy, haha** and bought me one and said that I could play with it at her house and we would put it up before Mama and Daddy got there to pick me up each time. I had that baby for 3-4 months; it was the greatest baby in the world! We would go to K-Mart and get her clothes, diapers, extra food, everything. I was the happiest little girl until one day.... I was at Grammie's spending the night, like I spent most of my weekends, and, of course, I was playing with my baby. Well, all as good until Mama and Daddy came to pick me up EARLY! UT-OH!! They walked into Grammie's house and I couldn't hide that baby fast enough. They were LIVID and Grammie sat there on the couch like, "I didn't know she couldn't have it!" HAHAHAHA.. LOVE HER!

There are other memories that I cherish of her.. She had these silk night gowns that I would sleep in when I went over to her house. They weren't the most comfortable things to sleep in, but they smelled of roses, the smell of my Grammie.

I remember putting on shows with Bryan for her in the spare bedroom. Bryan and I would make pictures and hang them on the wall with thumb tacks and drape sheets and blankets on the walls to make a "stage." We would take her cassette player and record ourselves singing songs to her and play those in our shows. I remember my friends coming to stay the night with her too. I remember one specific night when my friend, Tiffany, came with me to Grammie's. We had went swimming and came back and said we wanted ice cream. Of course, Grammie didn't bat an eye and said to load up and we would get some. She also didn't bat an eye to the way we were dressed. We had decided that it would be funny to go to Albertsons, Grammie's favorite grocery store next to Tom Thumb, in over sized shirts and panties, THAT'S IT! Grammie thought it was hilarious! Now, looking back, she should have spanked our butts for walking out of the house like that, but not Grammie.

I remember her handing over her keys to me at the age of 15 the day I got my learner's permit. She let me drive that Crown Victoria everywhere. There was a time when I hugged the right curb, I know it's hard to believe because I'm such an awesome driver now. On this one instance, we were driving down Broadway in Garland and we had just taken a turn and I was headed for the curb. At first, she just calmly said, "Curb, April." When I didn't listen, it was "CURB, APRIL!" and when I finally hit the curb, it was, "Damn it, April, curb!" Haha.. She still handed over the keys every time we went somewhere. Teehee

Other things I remember are her coming to have lunch with Bryan and I 2-3 times a week and buying the whole table ice cream sandwiches, co-signing on my first car purchase, being there on my wedding day, holding my first child in the delivery room, and calling me "April Love." There was no doubt that my Grammie loved me, and if there were any I have the cards that she sent to me every month until I was 3 years old telling me!!

She taught me that french fries are good dipped in honey, to love my family "dearly", and how to sing to the top of my lungs. She told me stories about her Gold Mustang, many parties with important people, and raising my dad in foreign countries. He laughed A LOT and told me she loved me every opportunity she got. She was a beauty in her younger years and older. She was my childhood and a big part of my adulthood. She was there when I took my first steps, started my first day of Kindergarten, graduated High School, walked down the isle, and had all 3 of my babies. Grammie was as close to perfect when it came to being a grandmother.

I sit her with tears rolling down my face writing these memories down, not so I won't forget them, because I NEVER will, but to let know know how truly missed she is going to be. I have had to say good-bye to Grammie 2 times now. The first time was the first time I walked into her nursing home room and she didn't know who I was anymore. She had Alzheimer and forgot who I was about 3 years ago. She still knew she loved me, but couldn't remember my name. The other time was February 17th, 2012. Standing in the room with Mama, Daddy, and Bryan, she took her last breath and entered into heaven's gates. It is bitter sweet. I know that she is dancing a "jig" up there in heaven, singing and praising our Lord and Savior, but it hurts to know that Grammie is no longer here.

The service was the most beautiful service I have EVER been too, and standing in the viewing room, it smelt of roses, MY Grammie. In planning everything, we found out that she wanted to be buried in a night gown and robe, pink, of course. She also had specific songs that she wanted sang and had always told Bryan she wanted him to sing "How Great Thou Art," so he did. Everything was perfect, even the way she looked. The lady that did her makeup took 20 years off of her and the "iced pink" lip stick, I found at Wal-Mart, was the icing on top. Bryan also wrote a poem for her that we included in the program.

My days are all behind me
I've passed through Heaven's gates
This is not a time for mourning,
it's a time to celebrate.

I loved my family dearly
that means each one of you
I want you to rejoice with me
I don't want you to be blue.

My son, my daughter, my loved ones,
Me Darling' and My Love
I have left you temporarily
and gone to my home above.

Life won't always be easy,
it will have a lot of hurdles
Just put the past behind you
and set off like a herd of turtles.

It's ok to miss me a little
and never be ashamed to cry
I want you to know that
I've finally reached that Sweet By and By.

I don't feel pain anymore,
I'm all smiles and no frown
Just remember in life what I always said
"Don't let the turkeys get you down"

So remember my life, the times we had
and I hope they make you smile
Remember to trust the Lord with all your heart
and I'll see you in just a short little while.

--Bryan Booth

Thank you to everyone who came to the viewing and/or service and thank you to the ones who kept us in your prayers, we felt every single on of them. If you have a memory of Grammie, please share in the comments. I will finish with some of my favorite pics of her.