My Guardian Angel, and Hero

The Day I Would Never Forget;
My Guardian Angel and My Hero

I looked up to see the clock hit 5:00, just as I heard the steady, heavy sound of raindrops. Even though I was unaware of it, this moment would change my life for ever. June 27th, 2007 at the time it was just an ordinary day, but later in my life today would be a day I would remember forever. We were on our way home, from yet again another amazing year at Camp FaHoLa. Taylor and I are/ and were each others best friends, and favorite cousins. It is our tradition, just the two of us, to go to Camp FaHoLa every year. This year was our 5th year, and we positively love it! She had just turned thirteen, while I was still twelve, we giggled from the back seat. Counting Down until we would reach my house, totally excited, but when I look back... I believe we would have been dreading the return to my house, if we only knew what we would be told upon our arrival. Laughing and recalling memories of camp aloud, for my Aunt Tammy, telling her all about all our fun, and adventures! My aunt received a phone call, around 5:00 (who I would later know was from my mother). Hearing a sniffle and a gasp from the front, I looked up, but I was much to preoccupied to care. Two hours later that been filled with laughter, and we were or at least I was home!

Surprisingly I saw eight or nine cars piled into my driveway. I was so excited to see my mom! Until I took my first glance, I saw all of my family; aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on. They were all swarming around, and crying. Instantly I knew something was wrong. Jumping out of the car I hurried over to my mother, who had been crying and talking with my aunt. All she managed to do was give me a big hug, and say “Granny Jo Died”. At first I thought it was a joke but then, I looked around and saw everyone crying. I didn’t want to believe it; I ran into the house, Granny Jo had to be there. Bounding down the hallway to her room, my heart racing, and terrified of what I would find, I opened the door.

There she was lying on her bed, my aunts surrounded around her. As I drew closer, I noticed the haunt look in her eyes, her pale and papery skin. Right then, I knew my Granny Jo was gone, but what scared me the most was her empty face, no longer full of life and smiling. My aunts that were gathered around her were all holding her hands, or stroking her hair, and most of all crying. They all looked slightly dazed, most of them encouraged me to do the same, but I was scared to touch her empty corpse. Her wish was to be cremated and we saw thought that her wish was granted. Thinking, it was all I could do, was think about her, about what I would do without her, and if I had taken her for granted, why I hadn’t realized it. Closure, that was what I needed or so my family said. Remembering my hurried goodbye before I had left for camp, I felt a stab of guilt. Had I even said I love you? Thoughts of my last words too her filled my mind, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. The cremation people showed up, to take her body, so that her last and final wish was completed. I watched, in protest to my mother and aunts, as the wheeled her away, my eyes misted over as I took one last look at my Granny Jo. Only aware of the next time I would see her, not bearing to think I would only see ashes.

Taylor grabbed my hand, and we were gone! We ran to my grandmother’s house which was down at the end of our campground. Splashing in puddles on my way, I just didn’t care anymore, though deep down in my heart I knew my Granny Jo would be disappointed in me right now. When we arrived we ran straight to her room, for some reason we went into her closet. We both took one of her fleece nightgowns. Hugging mine to my chest, I embraced all I had left of one of my favorite people. Suddenly it was too much for me, all of her things, clothing, and memories! Running out into the hall, bounding into the road, Kurplunk! I had been so preoccupied with getting out of there; I had run straight into a mud puddle! Surprisingly it felt amazing; I motioned for Taylor to try it. Within minutes we had started running all over the campground, splashing though mud puddles and, crying silently.

We returned two hours later, covered in mud, with tear streaks and matching smiles. I remember feeling soo much better after running and not caring that I was covered in mud and I was actually happy. Running though the mud, forgetting about, and hiding from reality. Even though I didn’t want to go back and face the fact about my grandmother being gone, I couldn’t hide forever. Looking back now I think my Granny Jo would have been proud of me and Taylor, for going back and facing life and for getting though that day without her. Most of all think she would have been proud of us for having the courage to stop crying after her funeral. That day was all a blur then, but now it stands out clearly as a day I will never forget. The remembrance funeral was to be held on Sunday, two days from now. Taylor and I knew what we must, and wanted to do.

Two days later Taylor and I were nervously dressing for her remembrance. We listened nervously as my pastor talked, sniffling at some points and laughing at others. Taylor and I delivered part of the eulogy in a speech. “Our Guardian Angel” we both broke down, and stated crying during our speech. She was a medical marvel, a sibling; wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother .But most important to me is she was my Guardian Angel, always looking out for me. I was so proud of my Granny Jo for surviving this long; she had been battling diseases for 15 years. 77 years old, no regrets, wishes granted, a loving family, and an overwhelmingly unconditional love for her family. Sounds like a model life to me. She taught me so many lessons, and she will always be in my heart. It as been exactly 414 days since her death and I don’t cry any more. I still become sad when I think of her, but now I tend to think of happy memories with her, and where she is. My Granny Jo was a phenomenal person, and influence in my life. When I am an old lady I hope I can look back, have no regrets and say that I lived my life as well as she did. And know deep down in my heart that she would of been proud of me. My Granny Jo is, and will always remain my number one hero.