Remembering Gammie

We had Gammie's funeral and reception on Monday night it was such a nice ceremony.  There were SO many people that came out to support her, our family, and her legacy.  Sometimes I think I took for granted all the amazing things my Gammie did in her lifetime.  I just knew her as my fun grandma that loved me to pieces and didn't really think too much about the life she lived before she had kids and grandkids.  When my dad & Uncle Phil were talking about her it was pretty astounding to hear all that she accomplished in her 84 years.

I gave a little speech about my Gammie after my Uncle Phil spoke and I was so happy that I got up and said a few words.  I was REALLY nervous the days leading up to it because I knew there would be at least 500 people there and every time I read my speech out loud I started crying at the end.  When I got up there to talk I really felt a calm presence come over me.  I know that my Gammie was with me and she was helping me stay calm and get the words out without breaking down.  I think that she would have been proud of the eulogies that were delivered by me, my dad, & Uncle Phil.  The music was so beautiful and her pastor did such a fantastic job.  The reception was catered by Robert's Catering and the food was delicious.  I know that she would have loved it all and I hope she was looking down with a smile, knowing that we were celebrating her beautiful life to the fullest.

Here is my speech about Gammie:

For those of you that don’t know me I’m Lisa Whyte, Bill & Sharon’s daughter, and Audrey’s oldest grandchild.  I have been thinking about what I want to say and share with all of you about my Gammie.  I have so many memories with her that are priceless and she taught me so many pearls of wisdom throughout my 33 years.  She was such an amazing grandmother to me and my 13 cousins.  We loved going to her house and playing on the farm.  We were allowed to run around and get into all kinds of mischief.  We'd go across the way to ride the golf cart at Uncle Mike's house, which we crashed on more than one occasion, and somehow we never got in trouble. Gammie would ring the big ol' dinner bell when spaghetti dinner was ready and we'd all come running across the field.  

She loved traveling and she wanted to share the world with us.  Gammie & Papa would take the four oldest grandkids on vacations when we were little.  We'd load up in the motorhome and hit the road.  We went to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, southern Arizona, & Carlsbad Caverns.  My papa was always driving, hoping we'd make good time, and Gammie would sit in the back with us and play Old Maid or Go Fish.  I remember having so much fun on those trips.   

Gammie was so thoughtful and generous in every way.  It usually showed up in the little things she did.  I thought it was amazing the way she would send a card to every single person in our family for every single holiday.  Without fail we would get cards for our birthdays, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.  She made every holiday so special.  In this day of electronic everything it was so nice to get the mail and see a hand written note to me, my husband, and each of our three children.  She taught me that it's those little gestures of love and kindness that really make a difference.  

My Gammie was so full of life and had such a zest for living. I think she truly taught me to be a YES person.  She was always up for a good party and said YES to everything.  Whether it be a baby shower, birthday party, or just a family dinner---you could always count on Gammie to show up with a smile.  I know in the last few years that was sometimes hard for her to do.  It wasn't easy for her to get around but she always made such an effort to be there and I was so grateful for her presence.  The last party she went to was on Feb. 9th at our Remax office.  It was my dad’s surprise 60th birthday party.  She was there dressed up in her red & gold jacket, makeup on, and looking great.  She had fun chatting with everyone and took some leftovers home for Bo.  It was a wonderful night and she had so much fun.

She was such a strong woman with a spirit that couldn't be crushed.  The night before she passed away I was at hospice with her and my mom and we will treasure those last moments we got to spend with her.  She was totally coherent and we were having a conversation with her.  She was asking me to scratch her back and said she wanted the nurses to give her a bath.  She asked for her reading glasses so she could watch TV. She probably wanted to see if Dancing with the Stars was on.  We thought she was on her way to comeback again like she had done so many times before.  But this time was different.  She was ready to go home and be with my Papa.  Selfishly I want her back because I miss her so much and it's not the same without her, but I know that she's in heaven and she's the life of the party up there.  My sweet Gammie, I love you so much and I will miss you all of my days.