A fond farewell...I love you Tricia and I'll miss you...

A note for my loving grandmother who passed away a few moments ago...

I remember being so young and somebody asking me who Tricia was? I remember thinking that it was a crazy question as everyone had a Tricia..you know, a Tricia and a Grandad. I didn't understand at the time that not all grandmothers were named Tricia, just mine. You chose to use your own name as you thought it sounded so much younger and I just loved that it was something different to everyone else. You had the courage of your convictions and you would fight for what you believed in. More than anything else, you would fight for your family.

Four beautiful children and so many grandchildren that it would almost be too hard to count...you were so loved throughout your life Tricia. I know that Grandad will be there to welcome you home today and you can be together again after all these years...just the way that I remembered you both as I was growing up. Making Grandad's morning tea together, big Christmas lunches, sewing my Calisthenics costumes and the letters that would arrive unexpectedly in my letter box in the last few years...just some of my favorite memories. I loved to get those letters that would always tell me how proud you were of your first grandchild and that I was always in your thoughts.

I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend more time together in the last few years but even that could never change the bond that we have. I love you and I will miss you dearly but in my heart I know that you will always be with me, just as I have always felt Grandad's presence with me too. You earned your place in heaven and I know that you willl smile down on your family for all eternity. I send you this goodbye wrapped up in all the hugs in the world.