(this isn't necessarily a condolence, but something that has been in my heart lately...)
For most of my life I have been at loss as to who I really am. I'm not sure why, but I haven't had a very strong sense of my own strengths, talents and gifts for this world. But I do now...
I am Vivian's Granddaughter.
Strong, capable, intelligent, charismatic, hard working and loving. Vivian Evora Cranswick has successfully passed her legacy unto her first granddaughter.
You may not believe me, but she is in my eyes when I look in the mirror. She is in the snuggle I get from Jordan every night. Her life story, which I just recently read, brings me strength and a deep connection. I admire how she held her head high, as a hard-working single mom of three. And yet she was always so very proud of me. And though she passed away just one month before my college graduation, I know she was with me. And she will be there when I marry, when I have more babies, when I become a grandma myself...
But you won't see me apologizing for or downplaying this newfound knowledge of myself. Vivian's grandbaby wasn't born to dim her lights. It's time to shine my friends! Always in the honor of my incredible, wonderful Grandma!
Nanny,
We miss you so much. We think of so often and enjoy looking through old photographs that we have of you over the past 11 years that Marc and I have been together. We very much enjoy the pictures we have of you and Ava Grace. It is so special to us that although she was too young to get to know you we know that we will be able to tell her that in those photographs she is with her Great Grandmother Vivian who was such a wonderful, amazing person.
We love you and "light a candle" each night in our memories. You are in our prayers.
Love Marc, Vanessa and Ava Grace
