On one of my first few visits to Mullett Lake I slipped up and used the word “never”. Grandma said, “Never is not a viable word. I never let my kids say never.” I cleverly responded, “Never is not a viable word.” I’m pretty sure that it was at that very moment that Grandma began to like the non-bloods better than the bloods, as we all know she does.

Once, when Grandma and Grandpa were visiting, I mentioned how something was missing above our new piano and needing to figure out something to put on the wall over it (I was not trying to drop hints). On my next birthday my gift was two beautiful paintings from Grandma, so I could choose which one to put over our piano.

Grandma, thank you for always being fun and feisty, going to any lengths to be a part of our lives (driving six hours to be at three hour birthday parties!), and building into the lives of others – you are so selfless and focused on others.

Love, Phil