R.I.P Grandma Burkey 3 - 6 - 06
The major source of comfort for me is that I find comforting about my grandmother not being with us anymore is that her battle with cancer is finally over and that she is with God now. I also take comfort in knowing that I did get to hold her, hug her and kiss her a week and a half ago. My mother told me that she passed away peacefully this (Monday) morning, and I took comfort in knowing that; as I'm sure many of you too here did as well.
My grandmother was the strongest person I've ever known in my life. I know that I could not deal with what she's gone through for the greater half of a decade. I know many people could not go through treatments, being in and out of doctor's offices all the while carrying herself the way she has for the past 7 years since she's had it.
I'm glad to know that I will never have to think about any bad times with my grandma because I don't think I've ever experienced any with her. I'm positive she's touched everyone's lives in this room the same way she's had an impact on mine; with nothing but love and kindness. I will never forget when my mom, brother and I lived over in Huber Ridge. She would pick us up from school or the after-school programs and take us to Revco/CVS for candy every Wednesday. I remember that being the day my brother and I looked forward to the most. She was also always there for my brother or I when we needed a ride to soccer across town; always there. I also owe my driving skills (minus any speeding tickers) to my grandmother, as funny as that may seem to some.
Cedar Point was easily one of the highlights of just about any summer of mine. I'd like to believe that it was the highlight of hers as well. I know she always enjoyed watching me and the rest of the Burkey clan go off on the Bearenstein Bears section, and later on the actual roller coasters. She was always a trooper, and I don't know of any other woman on the world that could make all of that happen while having to deal with the hassle of the hotel arrangements, dinner reservations, the car ride, the kids, the mosquitoes, the weather, and whatever else was thrown at her way in the way that she could. My grandmother was just that strong of a person. Just thinking about the way she carried herself now makes me smile. I just wish she was still here to know that.
I feel so blessed that I was able to spend this past Thanksgiving and Christmas with her. Anyone can attest to the fact that the room lights up when she walks into it and the food tastes ten times better if she's the one making it. I know that's where she could shine the brightest because she loved making people happy. My grandma loved hosting and she was one of the greatest hosts the world of hosting has ever seen. I don't know of many people besides a handful of family members who were close to her in the way she cooked her famous BBQ ribs and to this day don't think anyone will be able to top her lasagna. Thanksgiving and Christmas were highlights of the year because I know that's when she was at her happiest. To this day the two gifts she gave me two Christmases ago are at the top of my list and I will cherish them forever; a large collection of some newspaper articles of me, along with pictures of me wrestling and playing lacrosse as well as the warmest blanket I've ever had which she handmade.
I will never forget my grandmother's smile when she lived in Apple Valley and she would watch Care Bears and other cartoons with her. I remember how excited Taylor and I would be after getting the word that we would be going to Grandma's. Whether it was going to the pool and ordering Snickers ice cream bars or Arizona Iced Tea (one of her favorites), she loved to spoil me and my brother. My grandma could also give the greatest back scratches known to man and you should consider yourself lucky if you ever managed to get one out of her. I loved looking in the local paper and seeing her name mentioned in her contest for the best garden as well. I know that she loved making her house a home and making it a home to anyone and took great pride in making it as warm and comforting as herself.
I've never been a fan of the word 'goodbye' because I don't like thinking I won't see the person for a while. I will never forget her smile two weekends ago when I last saw her. Though I know that was the last time I'll see her in this life, I know her smile will be ten times more beautiful the next time I see her. So Grandma, thank you for all of your love and support these 19 years of mine. You have been a major influence in shaping me into the man I have become. For that, I can never thank you enough. I love you. I miss you. I can't wait until I see your beautiful face again.
My grandmother was the strongest person I've ever known in my life. I know that I could not deal with what she's gone through for the greater half of a decade. I know many people could not go through treatments, being in and out of doctor's offices all the while carrying herself the way she has for the past 7 years since she's had it.
I'm glad to know that I will never have to think about any bad times with my grandma because I don't think I've ever experienced any with her. I'm positive she's touched everyone's lives in this room the same way she's had an impact on mine; with nothing but love and kindness. I will never forget when my mom, brother and I lived over in Huber Ridge. She would pick us up from school or the after-school programs and take us to Revco/CVS for candy every Wednesday. I remember that being the day my brother and I looked forward to the most. She was also always there for my brother or I when we needed a ride to soccer across town; always there. I also owe my driving skills (minus any speeding tickers) to my grandmother, as funny as that may seem to some.
Cedar Point was easily one of the highlights of just about any summer of mine. I'd like to believe that it was the highlight of hers as well. I know she always enjoyed watching me and the rest of the Burkey clan go off on the Bearenstein Bears section, and later on the actual roller coasters. She was always a trooper, and I don't know of any other woman on the world that could make all of that happen while having to deal with the hassle of the hotel arrangements, dinner reservations, the car ride, the kids, the mosquitoes, the weather, and whatever else was thrown at her way in the way that she could. My grandmother was just that strong of a person. Just thinking about the way she carried herself now makes me smile. I just wish she was still here to know that.
I feel so blessed that I was able to spend this past Thanksgiving and Christmas with her. Anyone can attest to the fact that the room lights up when she walks into it and the food tastes ten times better if she's the one making it. I know that's where she could shine the brightest because she loved making people happy. My grandma loved hosting and she was one of the greatest hosts the world of hosting has ever seen. I don't know of many people besides a handful of family members who were close to her in the way she cooked her famous BBQ ribs and to this day don't think anyone will be able to top her lasagna. Thanksgiving and Christmas were highlights of the year because I know that's when she was at her happiest. To this day the two gifts she gave me two Christmases ago are at the top of my list and I will cherish them forever; a large collection of some newspaper articles of me, along with pictures of me wrestling and playing lacrosse as well as the warmest blanket I've ever had which she handmade.
I will never forget my grandmother's smile when she lived in Apple Valley and she would watch Care Bears and other cartoons with her. I remember how excited Taylor and I would be after getting the word that we would be going to Grandma's. Whether it was going to the pool and ordering Snickers ice cream bars or Arizona Iced Tea (one of her favorites), she loved to spoil me and my brother. My grandma could also give the greatest back scratches known to man and you should consider yourself lucky if you ever managed to get one out of her. I loved looking in the local paper and seeing her name mentioned in her contest for the best garden as well. I know that she loved making her house a home and making it a home to anyone and took great pride in making it as warm and comforting as herself.
I've never been a fan of the word 'goodbye' because I don't like thinking I won't see the person for a while. I will never forget her smile two weekends ago when I last saw her. Though I know that was the last time I'll see her in this life, I know her smile will be ten times more beautiful the next time I see her. So Grandma, thank you for all of your love and support these 19 years of mine. You have been a major influence in shaping me into the man I have become. For that, I can never thank you enough. I love you. I miss you. I can't wait until I see your beautiful face again.