Eli and Mom's Favorite Picture!

Eli, right now as I sit in my chair you are sitting with Grandpa in his chair next to me. Oh, Eli I love you so much. You are so much like your mom I can't believe it, and then I turn around and you are acting like your goofy dad - and that is goofy! Dad should be in the Philippines; so you, Mom, Tyler and Isaac get to stay here longer and Grandma loves that. I sure wish I could talk to you and tell you how I feel about my sickness, but I can not so we will have have to talk this way. I am very sad about my sickness, and that means I probably will not get to see you grow up. But at least I get to celebrate your 8th birthday tomorrow.

I have so many wonderful memories of you. Remember when Grandma tried to pick you up by your hands and you had to go in and get a sling on. Grandma, Grandma! I know you still love me though. All the times we visited you in Grand Haven and stayed in a hotel and what did you like about that? The pool, but first of all the snack machine. You knew Grandma would always get you a treat didn't you. I spent most of my time sitting by the pool.

Eli, do you remember the secret spot? Every time you and Tyler came over to Grandma's there was a suprise in the secret spot. The problem was that the secret spot got too small for all the things Grandma bought for you, and Grandma started getting in trouble from your mom for spoiling you too much.

How about the time you had on your new snow boots, shorts, a winter hat and a red wings jersey and we wanted to take to McDonalds, but Mommy would not claim you because of your goofy clothes so Grandpa and Grandma claimed you as ours? We did not care what you looked like! We stilled loved you anyway.

And how could we ever forget your hot chocolate milk. Every morning you had to have chocolate milk, and Grandma always had to go out and make sure we had some in the house. How about Fruity Pebbles? That was always a must-have in the house. Now you think it is great when you can have food with partially hydrogenated oils at Grandma's house.

Eli, when Grandma goes to live with Jesus in heaven it will be hard for you, but I will always be in your heart. You have to remember me to tell all your cousins about Grandma. It is very hard for Grandma to think about not seeing you grow up, but God must have other plans for Grandma. I did not choose to be sick, and I think God is in heaven crying that Grandma is sick. But I also trust God that He knows what is best, my Eli. Thanks for all your hugs, and I know I will get many more. You are God's child, and I know you believe in Jesus. Keep loving Jesus all your life buddy just like you do now.

Love and Prayers

Grandma