Before Hipsters Were Cool

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

Without ever meaning to... she taught me love for books, radio, knowledge, politics, plants, vegetables, the ability to play and be silly, and thirt stores. I never knew that the death of my grandmother would affect me the way that it has. I have cried uncontrollably. 

I think of my first memory of going to North Dakota (I had been there, at least once, before)... as we entered the North Dakota boarder, I cried and yelled at my mom, "you said my grandma's would be here".  I have always been a literal person, I guess.

Pat, my grandmother, was a different grandma then most. It's funny that when I think about who shaped me as a person.. everything that I now care about.. came from my "Darling" grandparents. They taught me values, life, love, and to cherish family. Although they may have had different expression of what they expected...I wouldn't have asked for a better grandma.

       I get to remember my love for plants, farmers markets, thrift stores, books, pbs, npr, imagination, dress up, being yourself, .... These days, my grandmother is everything that teachers are trying to teach and hipsters are trying to be. She was cool before it was "cool" to be cool. 

RIP ... Grandma Pat, Patricia, Patty Ann, Clara, ... you always had a name. Like Geoff said, "all cats dance in Heaven". I love you!