"Because I knew you, I have been changed for the better."

As you know today, I attempted to speak to everyone and read this letter. For those of you that weren't there, or could not hear. This is what I had said;

Dear Mema,

        It's never going to be easy, but it will get better. You have left an unforgettable handprint on each and everyone one of us. You are my best friend, my grandma, and my guardian angel. Mema, you have taught me everything I know today about life. And although I can't touch you, look at you, or even talk to you physically. I know you will touch me, look at me, and talk to me spiritually. There will not be a day that goes by that I don't think about you, or remember something you said or did. You were the orneriest person I know, you would always get the first and last word in whether we liked it or not. You made sure we knew what you were thinking, good or bad. We will always remember the way you used to make us laugh. Your memories are unforgettable, and even though we have to make new ones without you, we will know you are right by our side watching our every step. You are in a much better place now, one where you can eat all the Gardetto’s and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that you want. You won’t have to be sick anymore or suffer. I know that you will sing the word of God, and be right by his side learning what he has to teach. We are all closer to you now then we have ever been. Even if it doesn't seem like it. I will cry, laugh, be angry, and rejoice at the thought of you being gone because of what you have left me with. Just like you have always told us “No matter what happens, I will always love you.” We did not expect to have you leave us so soon. It will bring us comfort to know where you are, but it also hurts to know you can’t be with us. You were the rock that held us together. You made sure we were together, even at the worst of times. Thank you for everything you have done for me, and taught me. I love you.

Love,

Your Grandbaby, Kelsey.

Wicked, "For Good."

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.