Grandma Jodie

 Grandma Jodie. That was the name of one of my Grandma. Two women who made a huge impact on my life.

I haven’t had a valentine for a long time. But, I could always count on getting a Valentine card in the mail from my Grandma. I didn’t receive one this year, and I never will again. Grandma passed this past December after living 92 years on this earth.

92 years, that’s a long time! There are parts of my grandma’s life that I will never know about.  

Grandma was definitely the Matriarch of our family. She had all the control. I think the hardest thing for her about growing old was watching her control slip away.

Jodie was the last  of our immediate family left in Wichita. Kansas, the place of my birth as well as the birthplace of my mother, Kimberly. In many ways Grandma's funeral was like closing a door on Kansas.

Grandma Jodie was a proper midwestern woman. Always dressed perfectly with coordinating jewelry. Strong willed and opinionated. Grandma always valued family, religion and traditions.

Grandma was an amazing cook and was active in a cooking / friendship club called, The Do Nothing Club. The Do Nothing club threw monthly luncheons and would travel together. The Do Nothing’s were active for over twenty years and even published a beautiful cookbook together.

At Grandma’s funeral three Do Nothing members were there and enjoyed meeting several of the great grandchildren they had always heard so much about.

I know that I would value the strong friendships connecting the Do Nothing members.

I’m sad to have had to say goodbye to Grandma but I know that she now lives in my heart and memories. All that had the pleasure to know Grandma Jodie would agree that she lived a full life and will be missed.