I chose the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of my Grandma Nancy. She was one of the most beautiful people I know and I am so incredibly lucky to have had her in my life.
There are truly not enough words to describe my grandmother. She was amazing and a true survivor. In 1999, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went into remission, but was diagnosed again. After she went into remission, she was diagnosed again. In 2009, she passed away. But what I learned from my grandma was not to grieve for her, but to live life how she wanted me to live it. She wouldn't want me to be sad, she would want me to be happy and celebrate her life instead of being upset that she was gone.
If you had met my grandma, you would've never known that she had cancer. Her wig was the only thing that gave it away. But she rarely wore her wig when her hair started to grow back and honestly, it was my favorite way she wore her hair. Her spirit was always so high and she loved everyone.
She taught me to not sweat the small stuff. She was a cancer survivor, how can you sweat the small stuff? She loved with all of her heart, believed in the Lord with all of her faith, hoped for a better future and prayed everyday. I'm not sure I know anyone who had the much love to give.
Selfishly, I wish she was still here. I want to share my joys and concerns with her and pray with her. I feel bad because my little cousins didn't get very much time with her and I had 21 years! I have so many great memories with her and I am lucky enough to have those.
My grandma LOVED Disneyland. She even marched in one of the opening parades in 1955. My two favorite memories of my grandma at Disneyland are going on the rides with her and the flowers. It didn't matter how fast, slow, scary or intense the ride was, my grandma laughed the entire time. It was contagious. We would go on Space Mountain and she would just laugh and giggle the entire ride. And then there were the flowers. My grandma loved flowers, especially the ones at Disneyland. We would all be talking about what ride we wanted to go on and grandma would be smelling the flowers. Every time I am there now, I make sure to look at all of the flowers.
My grandma also loved angels. I think I bought her an angel figurine every Christmas and birthday. The best part about that is that I know she is a guardian angel for me now. She gives me hope each day and I know she is having a wonderful time with her.
I dedicate this month's donation to my Grandma Nancy. I love her and I miss her, but I know that I am a better person because I knew her and she is the reason I am who I am today.
My family and I decided that every year on my grandma's birthday (Dec. 2) we would celebrate. Preferably together, but our lives are so crazy that it doesn't happen too often. Most of the time, when we are together, we go to Disneyland. Tomorrow, my family and I are going to the wonderful Club 33 (we know someone with a membership) at Disneyland in honor of my grandma's birthday. We are going to get a candle and sing happy birthday, but most importantly, I will make sure I take the time to look at the flowers.
There are truly not enough words to describe my grandmother. She was amazing and a true survivor. In 1999, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went into remission, but was diagnosed again. After she went into remission, she was diagnosed again. In 2009, she passed away. But what I learned from my grandma was not to grieve for her, but to live life how she wanted me to live it. She wouldn't want me to be sad, she would want me to be happy and celebrate her life instead of being upset that she was gone.
If you had met my grandma, you would've never known that she had cancer. Her wig was the only thing that gave it away. But she rarely wore her wig when her hair started to grow back and honestly, it was my favorite way she wore her hair. Her spirit was always so high and she loved everyone.
She taught me to not sweat the small stuff. She was a cancer survivor, how can you sweat the small stuff? She loved with all of her heart, believed in the Lord with all of her faith, hoped for a better future and prayed everyday. I'm not sure I know anyone who had the much love to give.
Selfishly, I wish she was still here. I want to share my joys and concerns with her and pray with her. I feel bad because my little cousins didn't get very much time with her and I had 21 years! I have so many great memories with her and I am lucky enough to have those.
My grandma LOVED Disneyland. She even marched in one of the opening parades in 1955. My two favorite memories of my grandma at Disneyland are going on the rides with her and the flowers. It didn't matter how fast, slow, scary or intense the ride was, my grandma laughed the entire time. It was contagious. We would go on Space Mountain and she would just laugh and giggle the entire ride. And then there were the flowers. My grandma loved flowers, especially the ones at Disneyland. We would all be talking about what ride we wanted to go on and grandma would be smelling the flowers. Every time I am there now, I make sure to look at all of the flowers.
My grandma also loved angels. I think I bought her an angel figurine every Christmas and birthday. The best part about that is that I know she is a guardian angel for me now. She gives me hope each day and I know she is having a wonderful time with her.
I dedicate this month's donation to my Grandma Nancy. I love her and I miss her, but I know that I am a better person because I knew her and she is the reason I am who I am today.
My family and I decided that every year on my grandma's birthday (Dec. 2) we would celebrate. Preferably together, but our lives are so crazy that it doesn't happen too often. Most of the time, when we are together, we go to Disneyland. Tomorrow, my family and I are going to the wonderful Club 33 (we know someone with a membership) at Disneyland in honor of my grandma's birthday. We are going to get a candle and sing happy birthday, but most importantly, I will make sure I take the time to look at the flowers.
This is such a beautiful posting Cayla! Your grandmother's story is both inspiring and impacting. Both you and your grandma have reminded me to keep hope even during times when things aren't going quite right in my own life. You have reignited hope for and me and the essence of its power - I had almost forgot... Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Cayla:
Now I know where you get you're amazingness from :) Thank you, your family and your grandma for being so brave!
Lisette <3
Beautiful! Great pick for your first beneficiary; know of my prayers joined to your contribution to their efforts.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an angel. Thank you for starting this blog, you make me want to be a better person. I love you, Daddio.
ReplyDelete