I’m going to try to do my best to depict the beauty, strength and grace that was my Meme.

Our parents give us life. Our grandparents give us a sense of who we are and where we came from. This is especially true of mine.

We all knew that my Meme and Petu were the true definition of love and devotion; and I’ve heard many times over the years that neither of them could live without the other. I know the most difficult thing for them was being apart, so it is only fitting to take solace in knowing that they were reunited once again after just 18 short days of Petu’s passing.

This week as we said goodbye to Meme, it hit me just how incredibly lucky I have been to have my loving and nurturing grandmother with me for almost 29 years.

With Meme, there was never a life event or special occasion that was too small to celebrate. If she could find a greeting card for it, you got a card! Each one thoughtfully and precisely picked for each receiver. She loved her family so much.

My meme was an incredible matriarch. Really, she was the regal leader in our family. She baked and cooked and babysat and planned all the family holiday’s. She was always present, part of our everyday lives in such a tangible way.

As a child I had friends whose grandparents had retired to Florida and I remember feeling that, while they were lucky enough to get a yearly trip to warmer weather, I was even luckier, because I had my Meme and Petu all the time.

That constant loving presence really shapes a person. Meme is so much a part of who I am that even though I knew she would one day leave us, I can’t quite believe she is gone.

She was strong. The strongest woman I’ve ever met, actually. No matter how sick she was herself, every time I would visit, she would ask how everyone in my family was doing and usually all by name too! She was unbelievably selfless and walked by her faith every single day.

She shaped who I am. Helped to shape who my children will be. She influenced all of us so greatly.

I am eternally grateful for the time I have gotten to share with her and I will save a special corner of my heart to keep her with me always. I will think of her every time I see a butterfly or grab a slice of fudge.