In Loving Memory

Dear Jase

When you were 12 weeks and 1 day old, we said goodbye to your Great Grandma Lois.  Since you won't have any memories of your own of her, I wanted to write you a letter to share some of mine. 

It's hard for me to decide what to say about her since I have only known her for about 3 years now so I'll start at the beginning.  Your Great Grandma Lois was your Papa's mom.  She was married to your Great Grandpa Bud who passed away about 6 years before her.  I know she would probably be embarrassed about this picture because of the beer cans, but I just love how she looks here...always smiling, always joking around.  Just how I'll always remember her personality.

Great Grandma Lois & Great Grandpa Bud had 3 children...your Great Aunt Sandy, Papa, and your Great Aunt Nancy.  Their children blessed them with 5 grandchildren; Chris, Corey, Caleb, your Aunt Shilo, and your dad.  They were blessed again with 5 great grandchildren; Alyssa, Jasmine, Jamison, Hayden, and you.  You all meant everything to her.  Bud used to call her "Lodie" but when Jamison & Hayden were little they left off the L and she became "Grandma Odie."

Speaking of nicknames, I can still hear her talking to your Aunt Shilo...she always called her "Sis" and I loved the way she and your Great Aunt Nancy said it. 

Great Grandpa Bud taught Papa everything he knew about hunting and fishing and Papa taught your dad everything Great Grandpa Bud had taught him.  Your dad spent a lot of time at their house when he was growing up and became extremely close to Bud & Lois.  He's been telling me about them for years...I can't wait for him to share his stories with you.  Make sure he tells you about Great Grandpa Bud and the monkey, the maple tree and the watermelons,  and bringing home the chicken dinner.


I remember the first time I met her, she walked right passed me when your dad introduced me and said, "I need to see my man first."  She really thought the world of him. 

 

When we told her we were pregnant with you, she knew you were a boy right away.  All she wanted was for "my Kiel" to have a little boy that he could pass on all his knowledge from Papa and Great Grandpa Bud about hunting and fishing.  The day we found out you were a boy, your dad couldn't wait to call her and tell her the news.  She started sending letters with boy names and telling your dad to take good care of me since I was carrying "our boy."

She was already very sick when you were born so we couldn't take you to see her right away, but you did meet her once and while it was brief, it was a very special moment not only for her, but for all of us.  While she was alive, she got to see you grow through the blog when I would mail the posts to her.  I'm pretty sure she looked forward to the weekly updates more then anyone else...she read every single one.  I will miss her letters she would send with her thoughts on the newest entry.  She always ended them with "I <3 U...Hayden taught me that."

Papa took her out on his Harley once and she told him it was the best day of her life.  She made Grammy give her the shirt off her back and her do-rag so she could have some Harley gear :)  Once they got out on the road she told Papa to step on it because she wanted to go fast!!  A few days after the ride, this picture showed up in the mail...this is how I will remember her.

Lois used to sing the Love Bug song to your dad and Aunt Shilo when they were little and not long before she passed away, Grammy started singing it to you.  So every time Grammy sings the "Love Bug" song to you, know Great Grandma Lois is watching from Heaven and smiling.  She will love you and protect you from there...you have one of the greatest Guardian Angels on your side.

"Love Bug" - George Strait
Well I was ruling the roost, had all the chicks to myself.
And suddenly it happened, that funny little feeling I felt.
Well I tried to outrun it, but it finally caught up with me.
Tell me how can I run from something that I can't see?

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

Well I always thought that I had me a pretty good style,
But I lost that race by a good old country mile.
Well I was walking all around with my head held way up high,
And it fooled me, hit me, really took me by surprise.

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug. 


I hope we can do her justice with the stories and memories we will share with you because she was truly an amazing woman.

I <3 U,
Mom

Rest In Peace Grandma Odie
July 30, 1932 - April 26, 2013