As I was taking Mike’s dry cleaning in this afternoon, I noticed all the hustle and bustle of the first day of school just letting out, being careful to observe all the school speed zones. Normally I would turn on talk radio and start thinking about politics or finances, but my mind lingered on the subject and took me back to my first days of school. Every year my Granny would take me back-to-school shopping, primarily at Foley’s in Tyler, which had quite the selection in the 90’s. My heart would pound with excitement going up the escalator to the girls’ section. We had the time of our lives shopping together.

In this moment of reminiscing, I burst into tears (Noelle probably thinks I’m crazy). So many memories flooded my mind: her sweet kisses, bed time stories, her grandfather clock, the endless apples she peeled for us, the Hershey’s bars in the metal cubby in her kitchen, her classy presence at every dance recital and school performance, her tidy home, my entrance into her back door that spurred on the “Yoo-hoo, who’s that coming through my door,” and most of all her deep chuckles when I joked around with her as I sat on the arm of her rocking chair. It’s all the little things that I miss the most.

Our blog is always my happy place, and I know that Gran has seen the happiness Noelle has brought to our lives. I am so honored to have her memory so close to my heart. So, if you still have your Grannys out there, give them a big hug and kiss and be sure not to let the little moments pass you by, because these memories are things I treasure the most. I would give anything to have her back.

This is my song to my Granny today:

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