Once more, a message to my granddaughters.

Oh, how I love control. Make the decision, live with the consequences. If only life was that easy. Circumstances are many times out of our personal control. Maybe because there are millions of people who want to make the decision as to how “things” happen. Sometimes it has worked for me.

For instance, I chose my life partner. I could not, however, make his choices. It was truly a good partnership. Each free to live and love the other. Girls, your Grandfather and I were truly meant to be. We were your Dad’s parents….and then they chose your Mom. AND then you! Each one of you is perfect and lovely. Grandpa and I were always so proud of you. We applauded each achievement. Laughed with and at you! Joy is being a grandparent.

Someday there will be just the right partner for you. Be careful with your choice. It forms who you will become. Life can be cruel. Sometimes the difficulties in our lives are created by our bad decisions. We should seek a life of peace, joy and love. Trauma might be energizing, but it kills the soul. Avoid trauma.

Interruption in our life plan is to be expected. What we strive for, work for and anticipate may not happen the way we would have chosen. I expected to live a long life with your Grandfather—maybe sharing our last breath after a long, fulfilling life. My dear granddaughters, life threw the curve more than 20 years ago when your Grandfather was diagnosed with heart disease, and we had two years to “make the best of” what lied ahead. A heart transplant and twenty years later, we lost him. He got to know each of you. See your lovely faces, and give you many, many hugs! What joy it was for two of you to be able to say good-bye to your Papa and see him respond with a big smile and a wave. That was his last few hours of life.

Why do we need to say this again…………”live, go live”. This was one of your Grandfather’s last messages to us. “Live, go live”. Many times I wanted to sit with him, stay by his side, hold his hand but he chastised with these words: live, go live. It’s true ladies! Life is for the living. Do not look back……go live. We have choices to make, joys ahead, and tasks to accomplish.

I promise you, all four of you, you will see your Grandmother live a full life, knowing I have been blessed with a fulfilling past and charging forward to live, to the best of my ability, a productive, fun, joyful life. Serving others, sharing joy. God is with us, working a plan for each. Go live.

Watch Grandma run……………….