Dear Grandma.

Inside, my heart is still traversing prepubescent terrain- carefree, a bit wanton, a bit naïve. Still willing to learn and far from being too fixed, too broken, too wooden. And still in love, madly in love with you grandma. You were my best friend. You were my kindred spirit. You taught me a lot about love- about my love. Put the mirror in my face actually. And, regarding my love- you showed me how powerful and everlasting my love can be. Steadfast, and centered. Erected from the earth, and unshaken in movement. Death means nothing, graves mean nothing. If I love, I will love even when there is nothing.

When there is nothing- I will love,

When there is sorrow- I will love,

When there is hunger, I will love,

When there is strife- I will love,

When there is disbelief- I will love,

I will love.

A solid, all-encompassing, defiant, maddening, impenetrable, imperfect, undeniable, consuming love. A “journey to the center of the earth with me” love. A “help me define and defy the gravitational pull” kind of love. A love willing to face an army of 144,000 all alone- love.

Thank you, God for this love.

And thank you grandma.