I wanted to write something for Grandma. She was never one that wanted a fuss made over her but if a fuss is to be made I think she would like to hear what her grandchildren thought of her.

She as a tough lady and appreciated the same in us, her grandchildren. Gramma was smart and fortified. She was a card shark with a quick wit and a spirited laugh. She never let you win, even as a little kid. She taught you that a card laid was a card played. These rules for cards and life were delivered with love but were steadfast so we all respected them and through them we learned her code and were made better for it.

I always knew my grandmother loved me but in my late teens and adulthood we became dear friends. When I was 16 I went out to help after grandpa's surgery. I'd always gotten along with grandpa but grandma and I seemed to but heads. My first couple of weeks there we bickered bitterly. I was a punky kid with piercings, bad hair and an attitude. But that summer we ended up bonding over grandpa's care. I think our initial discord was caused by mutually strong wills. With time we realized how similar we were - or rather gramma knew it and was waiting for me to catch up.

I always knew I had my grandmother's love but over that summer I became a better person and earned her respect.

Once I saw my potential reflected in my gramma's respect I never wanted to loose it. That was the thing with her- she loved you so she made you work for it. There were no empty sentiments with her. I appreciated that her respect had to be earned because then you knew it was real. She was one of the most genuine people I will ever know.

She had many sayings, which particularly in her later years, she repeated often and with flourish. Things like: "A bird in the hand is better than three in the bush!" Or - "six of one is just as good as half a dozen of the other". She would compliment a sunny day but would also celebrate the rain as being nice for the farmers. She was always letting us know that we are lucky, that She felt lucky, for every day. She saw life and family as privilege and in her way let us know that we should never take any of it for granted.

As a woman I appreciated how progressive she was, especially later in life. She wanted for my sisters and myself (and Ceilidh and Cam too) all of the things that were hard for women in her generation to do. She encouraged our strength. She wanted us to be educated and independent. I appreciated that as we grew up, she supported all of our choices equally. Being a woman wasn't one way for her and she cared most that we were all happy and fulfilled.

A number of years ago when I was first on my path to becoming an artist and struggling I commented that it was going to take me a little longer to grow up. She scolded me for not seeing all the good in what I was doing. "Special things take time" she said, "what you are doing is important. You have your whole life to get old, enjoy every bit of it." Her pride in me propelled me forward. Sharing my adventures with her was a special joy for us both.

I am the woman I am today because of my Gramma. I will dearly miss my friend but I know that the best way to honour her will be to carry her spirit with me and let it add to my resolve to live life to the fullest. As she would say: "make hay while the sun shines". She lived her life that way and we are all better for it. Thank you gramma. I love you.