She was born today, 93 years ago.
My grandma, Thelma Nadine Vetter.
I will forever thank God for that day.
Grandma taught me so much about life in the times we had together.
Her life wasn’t an easy one, but she made the moments count.
My Dad was born while Grandpa was away serving in World War II. Times were tough for the family as Grandpa became ill and later died of MS. Grandma drove a school bus to make ends meet.
What she couldn’t provide with money, she made up for in love.
She always focused on staying positive, being grateful, and loving on everyone she met. She gave of herself and the little money she had generously. She ever expected anything in return.
Grandma was the sole parent to my Dad throughout his adult life. It was difficult for him not having father to turn to for advice and council, but the impact she made on him will last throughout generations to come. She taught him to love well.
She taught us all to love well.
Of all my memories of Grandma, here are some that stand out the most:
She kept me and my sister at her house by the lake every summer. Even though she owned her own real estate agency at the time, I felt like she spent every second with us. She would lay out on the dock with us. Fish with us. Ski with us. She would even ride on the banana with us behind the boat, while grandpa tried to throw us off.
Her laugh. Oh that beautiful laugh. It was full of joy and peace, just like her heart. I can hear it now.
She took us to church every Sunday, no matter what. She sang hymns with all her heart, like she was singing in front of God himself. And she was.
She always burned the rolls.
She loved animals. She always had a rescue dog (or two) and she spoiled them rotten. She loved them like children, until the day she died.
Grandma never wanted anyone to have to take care of her, she was so driven. Even near the end of her life when she took a job working at a thrift shop, she was always trying to find ways to care for the younger women who worked there. She’d bake for them and make them special gifts.
She would bake for “the old folks”, deliver it to their homes, and sing for them, even when she was in her 70’s-80’s.
Even in the assisted living home, she was always “checking on” her neighbors and the ladies at the front desk.
She loved so well.
When she died, I felt like a piece of me died. Dad hasn’t ever been the same. There’s a little glimmer gone from his eyes. He looks tired and seems just a little sad. It hurts my heart.
Her body left this world 3 years ago, at the age of 90, but there is no doubt that her spirit is still here.
She’s in Dad. She’s in me. She’s in my sisters. She’s in all our children. I see her around a lot. She’s in a lot of people I love. She’s in people I will never know.
She made her life count.
Since today is her birthday, it has me thinking about the parts of me I will leave behind. How am I making my life count?
So I thought I would invite you to do the same.
How are you making your life count?
Who will have a little piece of you in them after you’re gone?
You aren’t promised tomorrow.
Make today count.
To more love,
Crystal
