Grandma Barbara

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I said goodbye to my Grandma Barbara. While it's only been 730 days, it actually feels like it's been a lifetime without her. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. I miss her more than I could ever put into words. She was my best friend. I grew up with her and while I got to spend a significant part of my life with her-- it still just wasn't enough time. I miss laughing with her. I miss sharing the holidays together. I simply miss her voice saying "I love you, Gal". Until I see her again, I will cherish all of our memories and keep her alive in my heart wherever I go.

I wanted to share with you the eulogy I wrote for her. She deserves to be talked about, she deserves to know how much she was loved, and she absolutely deserves to know how incredibly missed she is by all of us. This eulogy was first read aloud by my boyfriend, Mikey on August 25, 2017.

The day we said goodbye.

I love you, Grandma and I'm always missing you.

Grandma Barbara’s Letter

Written by: Danielle

Spoken by: Michael

8.25.17

Hi my name is Michael, most of you probably know me by Mikey or as Danielle's boyfriend. For the past year or so I have been blessed to have known such a wonderful, loving, selfless, and strong individual. Barbara inspired this family. Getting to know her and Alfred, who I quickly came to call grandma and Papa is something special in my heart. Today I am going to read something that my beautiful girlfriend has written. I'm sure everyone of you, knows Danielle, Barbara and Alfred's granddaughter. Before I begin I want to let you all know how much Barbara meant to this girl. She was Danielle's world. She loved her grandma so much and I am incredibly proud of you honey for writing such a wonderful letter which I am about to read. Danielle writes: "It's true that your Grandparents are your first friends in life. Growing up I was always with my Grandma and Papa- day in and day out, my fondest memories are the one's spent with them. And I cherish that. My Grandma and I were inseparable, we had a special bond unlike any other. She was my Best Friend and she called me her "little buddy" ... we did everything together. We would play hide and seek...and I knew the best places to hide in grandma’s house, like in the pantry sitting on top of the cans. And grandmas favorite spot was in the shower. Sometimes I would wonder grandma, did you let me win on purpose? We would also play with Barbies, might I add we collected a ton throughout the years. Grandma and I would dress them up, then I would drive them in their convertibles throughout the house. We would go outside and play softball, where she always walked away with many many bruises. "Grandma, you're supposed to catch the ball" I would say, "don't let it just hit you". But even though she was going to get a bruise or two...or seven from every time we played, she still wanted to spend time with me, her granddaughter. From hide and seek, to Barbies, to softball, and to so many more things, I just want to say thank you, grandma for being my best friend. I always thought to myself as I laid in bed at night "I have the coolest Grandma in the whole entire world" and of course this was usually right before I'd go wake her up, for a midnight snack of cookies & milk. As I transitioned into adulthood our bond only grew stronger. Grandma was my biggest fan and still the very best friend I've ever had. We would hunt down garage sales, travel with the family, attend car shows, and reminisce on all the memories we created throughout the years while looking through old photos... which often consisted of her and I chucking deuces at each other. And every moment looking through our pictures I was always reminded how thankful I am for her because this amazing woman raised me and I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. She taught, protected, and loved me unconditionally. She gave me some of the best days of my life and for that I am eternally grateful. On August 21st I lost my Best Friend, I lost a part of me. I never wanted to picture my world without her in it... but here we are and I miss her already. My Grandma was compassionate, loving, and fearless- she fought cancer for 6 years with so much grace. I admire her strength. I hope that someday I am half the woman, mother, and grandma that she was and that she will continue to be in our hearts. I wasn't ready to let her go and I am going to miss her every day for the rest of my life. But she told me something in her final days- that she wanted me to enjoy my life for the rest of my life and I am going to do just that until I see her again. I promise I'll be a good girl and continue to make you proud grandma. I hope you know how much I love you and how much I am going to miss your infectious laugh, those big hugs, and the everlasting happiness you gave me the past 25 years. I have an incredible guardian angel now; I call her Grandma. I love you so much.