Pauline Pederson aka Grandma

I am pretty sure I grew up with the best grandma in the world.  She was such a beautiful woman inside and out.  She raised 5 children, went back to school to become a teacher, and then taught school, mainly 3rd grade, for years.  She loved unconditionally and had a beautiful marriage with my grandpa.

Cory and I were so lucky to live close to my grandparents for three of the four years we were living in Arizona for Dental School.  My grandparents were snowbirds who lived in Scottsdale during the winter months.  It was so great to have them close to us when the rest of our family was so far away.  I am so grateful for the memories I have of us hanging out together in Arizona.  We loved playing card games with them and just sitting down visiting. 

Any event that happened in my life, my grandparents did their best to attend.  Every birthday my kids had, included my grandma.  She loved her family with all her heart.

As you have probably noticed, I am using past tense when referring to my grandma.  That is because she departed from our world last Thursday.  Even though she suffered the last few years from Parkinsons disease, we were all shocked by how quickly she left us.  I was called Thursday evening saying she was heading to the hospital.  Then I was called to say I should drive to the hospital because they weren't sure if she would make it through the night.  When I got there she was on a CPAP machine to help her breathe.  I was able to hold her hand, kiss her, and tell her how much we loved her.  I even showed her a video of Joey and Genna telling her they loved her.  She seemed to love it and even though she couldn't talk, I could see it in her eyes. 

They wheeled her from the emergency room into ICU and my mom and I went to see her one last time.  She was resting and we didn't stay long so she could rest.  The nurse felt she would pull through and encouraged us to get some rest too.  We left the hospital around 11 and received a phone call around 11:45 that after we left my grandma's lungs started filling with fluid.  They pumped out the fluid but her heart couldn't take it and she passed away.   The last part of my drive back home was so awful.  There is a huge hole in my heart now that she is gone, however I do take comfort in knowing she is in a better place. 

My favorite photo of my grandma

 

the last photo I captured of her at Ava's baptism

My sister Nicole took this photo asking them what they wanted to be when they were little. 
My grandma responded, a flight attendant, so she could wear skirts and heels.

Grandma, I can't begin to explain how much we all miss you.  Thank you for always loving each of us, no matter what we did or didn't do.   Thank you for your weekly phone calls to check in and your thoughtfulness of sending birthday cards each year.  Your love will carry on.  We promise to take care of Grandpa! Love you so much!