This is my grandma, my mom’s mom, Lena Ray Price. My grandma LOVED her grandkids. As much as we were my mom’s world, we were her. I spent a lot of time there, I would say nearly everyday and then in the summertime, my cousins would come visit and I would stay there with them for a few weeks. I have the best memories at my grandma’s house. She had a chair that opened up like a hope chest where she kept all of her many high heels. My cousin, Jennifer, and I would play in those shoes and put on shows for grandma, grandpa, and anyone else who happened to be there. There was so much life in that house because there was always company and activity. My mom and grandma would always be cooking or if not cooking, they would be drinking coffee and talking at the kitchen table. They never seemed to run out of topics or things to say! My grandpa raised beagles and also had a beautiful garden in the back yard. We were never allowed to play with the dogs, but that was ok with me, I had more fun just playing in his boat or searching for unique rocks in the driveway. My favorite thing to do, though, was to perform concerts in their garage. I remember pretending to be this famous country singer, as big as Dolly Parton, and walking up and down my “aisles”, singing to fictional audience members, just having the time of my life. I remember spending time in her extra bedrooms, admiring the antiques that she had from her time as a military wife in Europe. She had family pictures everywhere and cute mementos from my brother and I in the cabinets. Like most grandma’s, she let us have whatever we wanted and let us do whatever we wanted. She was a HUGE part of my young life. She passed away two days before my wedding, June 2nd, 2011. My mom and dad were here in Florida for my wedding when they got the news. They stayed, for me. My dad was determined to give me away at my wedding, and I am forever grateful for that moment. My grandma wouldn’t have had it any other way. In the last year, I have dreamt of her a lot. I am always in her house, reminiscing, and then she appears. Sometimes she talks to me, sometimes not. My mom has been with me in the dreams before, but she doesn’t see my grandma. The last dream I had was so haunting because I was outside, looking in from the backyard through the French doors. My grandma, grandpa and even my great grandfather were all sitting at that kitchen table looking back at me, waving. I wanted in so badly to talk to them and see them but I wasn’t allowed. I do believe that my grandma’s spirit has been visiting me in my dreams. She loved me so much that she wants me to know she is still around! It brings me a lot of comfort and makes me happy that she still is watching. Whether you believe it or not, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that my heart is full and happy from a grandmother who loves me still.