A few weekends ago, we had a beautiful memorial picnic at Knoebel’s Amusement Resort, for my Grandma (and Grandpa on Dad’s side) who passed away in January. It really couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate her life and the legacy that she and Grandpa have left behind. It was so special to watch my daughter experience the magic of pieces of my childhood at one of my favorite places growing up; as well as for her to hear more stories and memories of her G G, and Grandpa whom, she never had the privilege of meeting.

Isabel is only 4, but she has an amazing memory and it has blessed my heart to see the experiences that she was able to have with her Great Grandma. Every once in awhile she will mention to me that she really misses G G and wishes she didn’t have to be in heaven yet (cue tears from this emotional Mama). Despite my Grandma’s health issues and dementia at the end, she was able to do two of the things with Isa that she loves best; color and sing. And in Isa’s eyes that made her the best friend to play with🤍

I wish that they could have made more memories together and that my Grandma would be around to meet this little one that I am now carrying (we actually found out about baby boy just a few days after losing Grandma),  but I also realize that there are many people who never had the opportunity to meet their great grandparents, let alone of a childhood of beautiful memories with their grandparents.

And yet, I had the blessing to grow up within towns of all 4 of my grandparents and I still have boxes of photos and cards showing just how involved they were in my life. My Grandma and Grandpa Heitzman were around for every birthday and holiday, I have endless memories of playing with my cousins in their home and backyard; of fun themed parties like our Hawaiian Luau and Western shin dig, of church cake with raisins (which we had at the memorial service in memory of her), and of getting rug burn on my belly after sliding down on their stairs. I can smell the soap in their bathroom and still feel the way my Grandma and Grandpa’s hugs felt surrounding me as a small child.

I remember traipsing around Knoebel’s with Grandma and the cousins, and riding the 6 person bike by the beach and listening to the waves from the hotel at night with my Aunt and Grandma. My Grandma was my biggest encourager for my love of art and books; I have many books with her handwriting written across the inside of the front cover. My first memory of the movie theater was her taking my cousins and I to see Toy Story; I still remember the candy and popcorn that we ate with her. Not to mention her and grandpa’s love for music and her voice singing Gaither’s songs that is currently running through my head.

Cousins in front of the waterwheel and Ice Cream Shop that Great Grandpa built.

Our memorial service was not a traditional one, but it suited my Grandparents perfectly. It was near where they grew up; my Grandpa helped to build one of the wooden roller coasters and the ice cream shop with the water wheel, my dad worked there as a teen, and I have many childhood memories of Knoebel’s with my grandparents and cousins. My Grandma took advantage of many opportunities to be a part of our lives, to create wonderful memories, and to host our extended family.

Looking around at their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (not to mention 2nd and 3rd cousins that had been impacted by them) had me choked up, seeing the beautiful legacy that they have left behind. I dearly miss my Grandma (and Grandpa), and can’t wait to see them again in eternity, but I know the important parts of them continue live on in the family that they raised up and left behind.