My Biggest Fan...

My whole life, my grandma has always cheered my on from the sidelines. She was the kisser of the scraped knees, the referee during sister fights, the one to hold our place in line at Disneyland while we went for a soda or ice cream. She has never been one to say, "No Erin, I don't think you would be good in that play" or "Maybe you shouldn't play soccer, you're very clumsy." She was the one encouraging me to stretch beyond what I was comfortable with.

Tuesday April 10th my heart stopped with one phone call: "Grandma's in the emergency room."

Until that day I had taken advantage of the fact that my Gram is so healthy and so independent that I have carelessly overlooked the fact that she is an 86 year senior citizen. To me she is just "Gram." I don't look at her like she is "old" because to me she can never be old. She will always be the one on the chaise lounge watching us swim in Clearlake or tucking us in our beds while sleeping over. The ally in the "grand kids versus Poppy cookie war." I look at her and her face has not changed, her smile is still the same warm smile I have known all my life.

She was in the hospital for 4 days. The longest 4 days of my life. For the first time in my life I had to picture what my life would be without Gram in it. It was a very bleak and dark picture, because no matter where she is, she is always the bright center of everything. She lights up a room. She is so humble and unpretentious and does not give herself credit for anything. Yet she is so much smarter and more amazing than she will ever know.

When I was little and did not feel good, I would just lay my head in her tiny lap and she would rub my head and suddenly things were not so bad. Now it is my turn to rub her head and tell her everything is going to be okay. Unfortunately I will never be able to erase that picture of my grandma laying in that hospital bed, bruised and bleeding. That image is forever burned into my memory. The only thing that makes me feel better is that due to her pride and determination, she has almost made a full recovery.

Things have changed though. She is not as invincible as I once thought, she cannot defy death and she certainly cannot outlive me so I don't have to be the one to say goodbye to her. She is the love of my life and my biggest fan and I would be nothing today if it was not for her. And at least she can know that she has had such a profound effect on my life, that she is the star in my eyes. And she has a fan that loves her just as much as she loves me.

10 Reasons Why I Love My Sister...

1. She is the air-guitar to my air-drums and she knows what it means to "add instruments"

2. Her laugh is so infectious, it makes your heart swell just hearing it!

3. She is allergic to my cat but still insists on snuggling her and rubbing her nose in Gabby's fur.

4. She can always be counted on to car dance and sing at the top of her lungs.

5. Disneyland trips are nothing but painful and hysterical with her and no doubt you will leave with swollen ankles, a limp and a enormous smile on your face!

6. She still has scars that I gave her when we were little and she does not hate me for it.

7. We can communicate with each other with out saying a word out loud...

8. She is a master Puzzle Doer!

9. She is the car graveyard...it is where cars go to die! They could be on their last leg or she will kill them.

10. She is the most beautiful person whether it is her sense of humor, her laugh, her sarcastic wit or her smile.

The Perfect Sunday

Once in a while a day comes along that reminds you why life is beautiful. In the middle of the Delta, slightly past the Ryde Hotel is a small little island called Hogback. My parents used to take me there as a kid and I introduced Nick to it last summer. Well after a very busy and exhausting week, we decided that Sunday was going to be "our" day. No yard work, no home improvement or laundry, just us. We decided to pack a lunch and take Maggie to Hogback. Armed with a book and a chaise lounge, I had all the makings of a perfect day. We found a little spot away from the other 4 families that were there and unloaded. After our picnic lunch, we watched some boats go by and chased Maggie around and soaked up every bit of glorious sunshine we could. After a couple hours of reading and sun bathing I looked to my left. Nick was peacefully napping on the blanket with his hat covering his face and to my right my baby Maggie was also enjoying her nap on the cool grass. I sighed and smiled and thought to myself was one of the best moments of my life....