The story of the Bestest and her beloved "Grandma"

So some of you who read this know me well, some of you don't, and there's probably those random few that find this blog and don't know me at all (and Matt probably won't even post until camps are over - and probably will wait until August when I show him how)...well, i'll fill you in on some history.  I am a Baylor University graduate (Sic'em Bears).  I majored in Forensic Science with minors in History, Criminal Justice, and Chemistry (and one class away from a minor in Biology).  I was pre-med and pre-law, a decision that was made by organic chemistry (really that stuff was like a martian language to me).  So now I'm starting my final year of law school in August.  Well - there you have it...that's me...well at lest educationally speaking.  Now let's get to the good part of college, and no, I'm not talking about Kappa Alpha Theta (although fun), parties, or even the sporting events - I'm talking about the "BESTEST." 

That's right, I said it...so let me continue.

The BESTEST is a huge concept to grasp (read this part slowly) - it is a person who is better than a best friend.  She is another sister - a person so close to your heart that it clear she is family. Insert flashback - first day of orientation at Baylor University.  I lived with Meredith Corbly in dorm room - (525?) well who remembers, on the 5th floor of Collins Hall (side note: Love you Mere, so glad we were roomies with our own bathroom!!)  A girl who lived in the dorm room right next door (I'm talking shared a wall) - was asking who wanted to go to choir try-outs.  Ok, we've all been there - you don't know anyone, but you for sure don't want to go by yourself to try-outs!  So I said sure (do not fear, not to sing, just to support this girl).  What this girl failed to mention was that try-outs were ACROSS campus - Baylor's not that big, but it was a long walk - in mid-day Texas heat in August.  However, thank goodness because that began the BESTEST relationship.  Now there are funny stories along our years at Baylor - freshmen in dorms, roomates at Sterling, roomates at her parents house, drinking parties (I drank, she held my hand/hair when I regretted drinking hours later), NINFAS, spring breaks in florida....and many more..

However, here's some background on the bestest - she is originally from WACO, TX (well, Crawford, but so close - just minutes).  So you might ask yourself what this means - It means I have family in Texas.  Two parents who are close to my heart - I call them my Texas Mom and Dad and of course my Texas brother (who I joke I've known since he was 12 - but I think he was 15...long story).  I've slept at their house (yes they took me in for multiple weeks), I eaten with them (love the BBQ and oh my gosh this dessert thing TX mom makes is phenomenal), I've celebrated with them, I've laughed with them, and I've cried with them (sad and happy times)...However, it wasn't until last night that I grieved with them.

In my years of knowing the bestest and her family, I had the pleasure of meeting Texas Mom's Mom - "Grandma." (And yes, that is what I called her too, even though we weren't "technically" related).  As some of you know I don't always make the best first impressions, I was brought up independent, loud, sarcastically funny, and well with the ability to love and live my life...and at first I thought that was too much for Grandma!  Insert flashback number 2 - trip to Jason's Deli with Grandma, Bestest, Texas Mom, Bestest's brother, and myself.  We sat at a huge circular table - Grandma heard me sing and Bestest's brother dance (and yes, inside Jason's).  Now that was torture enough - trust me I sing like a frog attempting a mating call and the brother well, he dances like - actually there is no good analogy here - but Grandma laughed.  Then when I was graduating my parents came into town, that Sunday we all went to the Bestest's family church (I was there most every Sunday from sophomore year to senior year - Robinson Drive United Methodist - great friends/great memories), and guess who was in town Grandma (I was a Dec. graduate, and she spent all Christmas' in Waco).  Well, my mom sat next to her and Grandma (who had a bad arm) said to my mom "I bet this arm is in your way?" and my mom said "I bet not, I bet it is my hips!" And again, Grandma was laughing.  I thought this church service was where I would say goodbye to the bestest (and hoped it wouldn't be forever). I was crying in the car - and my Dad decided to go to Fudrucker's for lunch.  We get out of the car, and you will never guess who was there - Bestest and her whole family (apparently this stint was not planned by the parents).  Anyways, my dad decided to celebrate Grandma's birthday there - now let me say that 1) it was not her birthday and 2) my dad might have added of say 10 years to Grandma.  Now this was unknown to the Fudrucker's staff so, pictures were taken, songs were sang, and yummy treat was given to Grandma- and she loved it, ok ok slightly embarassed, but once she knew there was no stopping my dad, her smile was huge and she rather enjoyed some of that tasty treat!

I share this with you (since this really is just a post about me, and not about Matt - sorry Baby)...because Grandma passed away last night in her hometown of Jasper, Indiana at a local hospital there.

I want the Bestest and her family to know that they are in my thoughts and prayers, and believe me - I might not have all my questions about the whole "after-life" situation answered, but there is one thing I know...I know that Grandma is somewhere with Papere (my grandfather who passed away last fall) - in a place where GREAT people go. Hopefully looking down, watching and laughing (I laugh daily at myself when nobody is watching, sometimes it is such a good "screw-up" or something else that I hope someone caught it and can laugh with me) - where her arm is healed and her spirit is full of youthful joy, happiness, and innocence.  

So thank you Texas family for letting myself and my family get to know this fantastic woman, spend time with her, laugh with her, and love with her. There is nothing I can say or do to take away the pain, but know that you are loved and thought of in this time and always!