in memory

My grandmother passed away this morning...or late last night I'm not exactly sure. I am so glad that the kids and I got to see her when we were home on vacation a couple of weeks ago. My grandmother was suffering from demensia and I'm not sure that she really remembered that I had kids...or even that I was married but I think she knew that I was her granddaughter even though she didn't remember my name.
I have fond memories of going over to grandma and grandpa's house when I was a kid. That painting that is hanging above grandmas head (in the picture below) was always hung over their sofa and I remember looking at it as a kid just impressed by the colors and the style of painting that it was. I always loved to stare at it and wonder how someone got it to look so real. I remember every Easter grandma would make a lamb cake with coconut and at Thanksgiving I could always look on top of the china cabinet and see my birthday present there. I have my grandma's collection of antique cameras and the really awesome thing about this collection is that along with the cameras I have a picture of grandma or grandpa or some other family member that was taken on each of these antique cameras. What a great way to preserve their memories. I am so thankful that my grandma is in heaven now and laughing and dancing with Jesus! I will always remember my grandma as fun-loving and genuine, someone who knew how to have a good laugh (even if some of the time the joke was on her), and someone who loved her family!
Not sure what the arrangements are yet but I'm really hoping that I'm able to go up to Illinois for the funeral.