It has only been a year since you left us, but what a year it has been.

You have been missed more and more with each passing day.

We know now, that you endured our family with more Grace than one person should ever have to show.

You were the rock, you were the middle, you were Switzerland.

And for all that you did for us, again, I just want to say Thank You.

As always, you will be in my Heart.

Hubby’s sweet Oma passed away this morning.  She was 96 years old and a month away from her 97th Birthday.  Apple was due on her birthday, which is also Opa’s (Hubby’s Father, in the photo) birthday.

Although I did not know Oma very well, I knew her extremely well.  You see, I know her kindness and warm heart through her son and her grandson and now her great grandson.

She was a tough Mom way back when, but you would be too if you moved your family to Canada from Germany during a terrible terrible war.  She and her Husband (who has been gone for a long time now) did what they had to do.  They lived in Calgary and grew potatoes in their front yard to feed the family, when they no longer needed to do that, they planted grass.  They raised their kids (two boys and two girls) to be loving caring people and as usually happens, she lightened up when they grew up.

The first time I met her she had spent a whole day cooking a traditional German feast for me.  She was already in her eighties and I felt bad enough that she worked so hard so I could enjoy some of her cooking.  She still came out to visit once a year back then, but once Opa moved to Vancouver she stopped flying and he would travel to see her instead.

The first time I went out to Regina to visit my Sister, Opa was going to be in Calgary and I happened to have a couple of hours to hang out in the airport.  He brought Oma to visit us at the airport and meet Jonathan as she had not met him before.  We had a great visit sipping our coffee and chatting while Opa and Jonathan whipped around the airport on a golf cart. That was the last time I got to see Oma, May 2006.  We talked to her on the phone, but she had a hard time hearing women’s voices so I had to talk deep and loud.  Opa would often help out and shout to her in German, which she often switched to so I had no idea what was being said.

She lived a full life and gave so much to her kids.

We Love You Oma, you will be missed.