We are made to die

That is the inevitable truth of life. We are made to simply live and die. The common factor between us all, is one day we will cease to live.

I have lost so many people I love, and yet today another person who made me who I am has died. I loved her with all I am, who I am, what I am, is because of her.

Strength in the face of adversity, a lady through and through. The woman who taught me the importance of leaving the house looking like a lady, the importance of holding your head far above the mud slung. How to live without those things many feel are "need", in truth they are not.

I modeled much of how I live by this woman. It may be not main stream to do what I do, sew clothes, can food, garden, any of those things that made the difference in living through a depression. I value the lessons she left in me.

The saddest part of anyone passing away, but most especially this woman, is the stories, secrets and messages that died with her. So much lost. I sat many times just listening or watching. Feeling stronger in knowing her.

I am sad now because I feel an overwhwelming relief in her passing. 100 years is amazing by todays standards. She did it, with grace, beauty and dignity. I don't think in however many years I have left I will forget that last kiss she blew me from those wrinkled arthritic fingers. The importance of how many times I saw her do that and to have her do it that last time. I am very glad that despite my hesitance, I went. I told her how much I loved her, how much I will miss her.

It is done for her, an end to suffering. She earned her immortality in Heaven, with those she watched die. Her reward for being her, is an eternal kingdom of glory.

For my grandmother Lillian, an amazing hero by any standard and the woman I owe my integrity to.