Dear Nana,

You would have loved today.  Everyone was there all clean faced and dressed up.  Your grandsons looked amazingly handsome in their suits and ties and white rosebud boutonnieres.  Your granddaughters were glowing and beautiful, no small feat after dressing 20 great grandchildren in their Sunday best and getting them out the door early on a summer morning!  You would have enjoyed all the hugging and reminiscing mixed with ripples of laughter and happy chatter.  And you would have been so, so proud of Grandpa.  He was strong and sweet and found the strength to make it through the entire day, a big day to endure alone after having you by his side for 70 years.  

Nana, what I wouldn't give to sit across the table from you one more time.  To work on solving the world's problems while eating cantaloupe and cookies and listening to the kids laughter drifting through the back window as grandpa pushes them in the swing.  I'd ask you about your great neighbors and good friend Jewel.  You'd ask me about each one of the children and listen patiently to all of my worries and concerns.  You're such a good listener Nana.  And then the afternoon would turn into evening and we'd pick tomatoes from the backyard and enjoy BLTs together while we sit on the outside bench and watch the children riding bikes up and down the sidewalk.  Daylight would begin to fade and as we'd prepare to leave you'd cradle my face in your hands as you have so often and tell me that I was meant to be yours.  

I was meant to be yours.  Truly a granddaughter couldn't love a grandmother any more than I love you.  

I miss you,