“March 3, 2009. My sister, my cousin, and I were with Grandma at the hospital. Grandpa and all of his 6 children were having a meeting. They needed to decide if they would bring Grandma home the next day or send her to a rehabilitation center for a while, she gained her strength. Us ‘big girls’, as Grandma called us, decided to go sit with her at the hospital to give her some company. I am so glad we did. We spent the evening laughing and chatting about all there was to chat about. We had such a special bond with our Sweet Gram. We spent a long time talking about Kelly’s upcoming wedding. She was to get married in August. At one point, Grandma looked at me and asked, ‘Gretch, when are you going to get married?’ My response was easy…’When you find me a 6’5″ man with dark hair and blue eyes, Gram!’ We had the best night ever!
The next morning, our sweet Grandma gained her wings. We were told that before someone passes, they sometimes get a burst of energy and clarity. We got to experience that at the hospital that evening. I will cherish that night forever.
Grandma passed in the hospital she had volunteered in for 40+ years. At some point, all of us ‘big girls’ had become junior volunteers along with her. When she passed, we decided as a family, to donate the money we received from our friends and family to the volunteer program as a scholarship for the junior volunteers.
April 27, 2009 my sister, cousin, my mom, and I attended a ceremony to do just that. All of us girls spoke about our dear Gram and how much the volunteer program meant to our family.
While we were gathering our things to leave, I noticed a missed call and voicemail from an unknown phone number. ‘Hey Gretchen, this is Jeff. Our mutual friend Teri is trying to set us up. I’d love to take you out sometime. Give me a call.’ WHAT?! Weeks prior, Teri had approached me asking me if she could set me up with a friend of hers. After much coaxing, I agreed she could. I had heard nothing, so assumed he wasn’t interested. I had kind of forgotten all about it.
My sister and cousin convinced me to call him back that evening. I figured I’d ‘play the game’ a bit. They said to just call him. Jeff and I talked on the phone for over an hour that night. He told me about his 2 daughters (step-parenting is something Gram always told me I’d be good at). We agreed to meet up the following week. Being that we hadn’t officially met, I didn’t even know what he looked like. I asked him to describe himself. ‘I’m 6’5″, I have dark hair, and blue eyes.’ WHAT?! I could barely speak! I knew at that moment that Gram had a hand in this.
June 30, 2010 is when Jeff proposed. After revealing the ring, still on one knee, he looked at me and said, ‘It’s your grandma’s diamond.’ My grandpa had taken Jeff to the jeweler and had Grandma’s diamond re-placed in a different setting to fit his liking. Every time I see Grandpa, he grabs my hand and kisses my ring. I feel so honored to wear her diamond.
I cherish my world every day. I could not have asked for a better partner in life. Grandma knew this all along. Thanks Gram!”
Credit Gretchen Hoxie
[𝘋𝘔 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭]