I am content with how the obituary, funeral bulletin, and slideshow turned out. I know how often she read and re-read my blog post about her during all of her difficult days. I wanted to write something at least equal to that. Whether I did is for others to decide, but I know she knows how I feel and that is enough for me.

I am glad I did the slideshow too, though I barely slept for three days working on it. It was the first time all of those pictures of her and our family had been gathered into one place. Each of us had various pictures from over the years, but we discovered that we each also had some very old pictures, and that we all had different ones. By assembling them, we were able to tell an important part of her story and our family’s story in pictures and music. It played in the background off to the side at the funeral home, and we all shared a lot of good memories together while we watched.

I got to sit with her just the two of us and say goodbye to her that last time I was there. I also wanted to say goodbye publicly and tell everyone who might read and see these things that a wonderful soul had left us. But I imagine I’ll be saying my goodbyes in one way or another for a long time – however long the grieving takes for me.

We simultaneously celebrate inspiring lives well-lived, but doing so leaves a painful gap in our lives that will never completely fill back in. I suppose our roles now are to live out the examples they set for us, though we have big shoes to try to follow in.

Hang in there. I know that your words will do your grandmother very proud.