it is with a very heavy heart that i blog about my grandmother's death.

as i blogged below, she had made this total 180 degree turn after being admitted to the hospital on sunday when she was told she only had a few hours to live. yesterday, my mom came over to mountain view to hang out with me for the day. we knew my granny's friends and some more family members were visiting along with a few more tests, so we decided to give others some time to be with her now that she was up, talking, and very happy.

actually, our first item of business was to get a mani/pedi. the moment my mom picked out her color, her phone rang. it was the discharge nurse at the hospital telling my mom that my granny was being released and asking when could she pick her up. my mom just said, "well, i'm out with my daughter now, so i'll have to call you back when we can figure out a few more details." we also thought that there was no way she should be released so early, so we decided that wednesday would be a better day for her.

this morning, right as my auntie and uncle went to pick her up from the hospital, she complained to the nurse that she was feeling short of breath. a few minutes later, she stopped breathing and peacefully went to heaven.

i wanted to take some time to remember one of the most important ladies in my life, and the wonderful things she did that made her my wonderful grandma.

*she would make red cabbage special for me because she knew i was a weirdo who would eat it all up.

*i'd always call and say, "it's your favorite graaaanddaaaaaughter!!" and she always knew it was me. :)

*she came to all the grandkid events and always supported us. she used to take pictures at my swim meets or water polo games and make copies for me by the next day.

*she was born on leap year day, and just turned "21" last year. my brother, cousin, and i took her out for her first "legal" drink that night. someone from the local newspaper came and wrote a story about it, and the waitress asked for her I.D. she loooved it!!

*she reminded us of how things were when times were tough and how well we have it now. she also reminded us of our past and what sacrifices our family made to be where they are today. a little past helps define who you are today, and i won't forget that.

*she always gave us money at christmas, but the best part was it always came in some really cheesy container. this year, she gave the girls little jeweled purses that i kept on my dresser.

*her house always smelled like gardenias, and for the longest time, she had the most amazing raspberry bush in her backyard. when i was younger, she'd give me a bowl and have me pick some fruit for her. i'd always come back with a red face and half a bowl since i liked raspberries the most.

*she knew what made her happy. she loved random hole in the wall dim sum places or some ice cream for dessert every night. she said ice cream every night made her happy all day long.

*she loved having me over to spend the night when i was little. my mom would throw me on bart when i was like 7, and i'd ride up to her station and she'd take me out for dinner and we'd have little slumber parties.

*i loved going shopping with her and my mom. we'd go out for a nice lunch and a stroll through nordy's where i'd proclaim to everyone that we were triplets.

*she taught swim lessons/classes with the red cross for 50 years, and i always remember her taking me to her classes when i was younger. she used to teach classes to ladies her age, and it was always a hoot and a holler with her.

*she travelled more than anyone i knew, and could count each and every time she went to hawaii...which i believe we figured out was 17 times.

*she used to play music from the 40's or 50's on her old radio when she'd make me breakfast in the morning.

*she told me that if i didn't sweat the small things in my marriage, i'd be the happiest wife.

*she really loved everything about life and always was laughing, helping others grow, giving, and loving.

some of the last things i'll remember about her was from the day we spend with my mommy on sunday. we stayed at the hospital pretty much all day. she went from not being able to communicate to talking to us be the evening. my mommy and i chatted next to granny while she was resting, and every now and then granny would pipe up and we'd ask her some questions. we bought her a little stuffed animal which she loved and gave lots of kisses to. hee hee!! we also made sure to give her a few pieces of chocolate when nobody was around and my granny thanked us profusely. when we were leaving, i told her to relax and pretend she was on the beach, just relaxing. she got the biggest smile and later told my aunt that she had great dreams of hawaii. :)

on a final note, my auntie had a great little story to share with me. when i was younger, my aunt apparently said something about how sad she was the my cousin meggie wouldn't get to meet my grandfather who had passed away the year before. i was 8 at the time and said, "don't worry, auntie...grandpa is in heaven picking out the right baby for you." today my auntie told me that my granny was up in heaven, picking out the right baby for me. :D