Mi Abuela

As many of you know, my Grandma Lu passed away this past week.

I can´t begin to explain to you how big of a decision I was faced with when asked if I wanted to come home. Of course my first instinct was to hop on a plane, but once the emotions backed down a bit I was able to see things more clearly. After thinking long and hard about things, I realized, death and funerals are the end to a life well lived, and there are plenty of other ways to celebrate a person´s life, other than to physically be at their funeral, or see them in their last few days of life here on earth. So, I did the best I could think to do being thousands of miles away. I ran a half marathon and dedicated it to my Grandma.
Here are some of the things I thought about during the half marathon.....
1. Grandma Lu had ten children. If she can have ten children and survive, I can run 13.1 miles and survive.
2. I really admire my Grandma´s faith. Even when she came to Indy to visit, she always went to church even being far from home. But then I got to thinking (13.1 miles is a long time to think, I had a LOT of thoughts), faith is so much more than going to church, etc. Looking back on Grandma´s life, she is such a great example of Jesus´s love, in the way that she loved so many people. No matter what our crazy family was up to, Grandma Lu constantly loved us all; what a great example of faith.
3. While I was struggling to breath and keep running, I thought about what a fighter Grandma Lu trully is. Of course it´s so easy for me to see that now, when all these medical problems came into play. But even before that (or so I have heard), she was a great Mom to all my Aunts and Uncles. I have heard stories about my Grandma in more of her Mom stage, and it sounds like she was a great Mom, always fighting to be there for her kids.
4. While I was running, Grandma was in the hospital. It was so hard for me to be here knowing that I should be there. I just kepting lifting Grandma up to God, and allowing myself to accept that whatever happens is His will.

I will never forget my Grandma Lu. It´s neat to think that we share the same faith, and someday we´ll be reunited. I am praying constantly for my family, because death is so much harder for the ones left behind, than for my Grandma who is chillin´ in Heaven.
I love you Grandma Lu : )