One of my first and last memories of my grandma was her tradition every year, on every one of her grandchildren’s birthdays, she would call and sing happy birthday. She never missed. She kept the birth of every grandchild of every generation in a book. When her last born great-great grandchild was placed in grandma’s arms a few weeks ago . . . Grandma said, get my book and write it down, so I can remember. Grandpa and Grandma used to visit every winter and spend a few days at our home in Las Vegas. We were learning how to make silk floral arrangements. Grandma discovered how to secure the flowers so they stood upright, she looked at me and said, you know Julia Rae… You never stop learning. This August, my brother, Jeff and I visited grandma and it just so happened to be on the day Hospice was there making arrangements. Grandma wanted so much to come home to the Midwest, she clutched her purse tightly to her chest and said, you know Julia Rae . . . A mother loves all of her children. I spent a lot of time with grandma the last weeks of her life and had time to reflect on how her last days deepened my beliefs about life. The Reverend Billy Graham said “Life is a sacred gift from God. We are not here by chance or by accident; God put us here.” "My times are in your hands.” Psalms 31:15. "Human life isn't only sacred, but it is also precious to God. Although we may suffer, we know this life is not all -- and that gives us hope. Ahead of us is Heaven, and what happens now is only temporary.” Grandma’s days with us have faded into darkness and she has come home. When you look up into that night sky, remember grandmothers are like stars . . . You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

so very sorry for your loss. Ilene Nuckolls-Raley