I went to my Grandmother Wayland’s funeral today. While I didn’t have an opportunity to say anything there, this is what I would say if given the chance:

I was 11 when my dad married Cheri. I met Grandma and Grandpa Wayland sometime in there. I honestly don’t remember when I first met them. And they have been a part of my life for the vast majority of it. For that, I am grateful.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

There are lots of snippets of memories that I have and I will talk about them in a moment. But I will never forget Grandma’s smile. And I will never forget how she always made me and my sister feel welcome, and loved. We were part of a package deal that they had no say in, but they never treated us as anything but grandkids. I will always cherish her, and Grandpa, for that.

A few highlights of my memories at Grandma’s house

• Playing pool in the back room
• Chasing Chukka and Anice (dogs) around the backyard, and perpetually letting them in and out, over and over
• Grandma’s smile whenever she saw us, and how warm she was with us
• Picking a movie from her vast, vast, VAST collection of taped movies. I believe she single-handedly kept the VHS tape market solvent some years. I watched every James Bond movie several times thanks to those tapes.
• Shooting off bottle rockets from the back yard at the neighbors.
• Scaring my dad by lighting off an M80 near him, accidentally I swear, in the road in front of Grandma’s house
• Gentle scolding seemed to be the worst we warranted. I’m not sure if that’s because I was such an angel, but she was never harsh with me.
• My 40th Birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa’s

In the end, I will never forget how she made me feel like I was loved and cared for.

What else can one ask from a Grandma?

Secondary Visit

I also had the opportunity to visit my older sister’s grave. She was stillborn (I believe), and I have named one of my kids after her. I wish I had gotten to know her. Rest in Peace, Abigail Hirt. Your namesake is carrying on with greatness and dignity.