Teaching Taylor

August 2nd is a day that I don’t often think much of… It quickly approaches and then once it’s here, it hits me. It shouldn’t surprise me, obviously the second comes after the first, so I don’t get why I’m so shocked every time it rolls around.

Five years ago, in the early morning of August 2nd, I got a phone call that my Grandma had passed away. It was shocking to me because just a few days prior, she was laying in her hospital bed complaining about something and asking my grandpa to get her purse so she could give me cash to buy a souvenir at WEFest.

That year, my husband and I won tickets for VIP. It was fitting because it was the year of our favorites. Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, and Florida Georgia Line. We won tickets because I nominated my husband as my hero and they selected us along with a few others to have VIP tickets to enjoy that years lineup.

The morning of the start of WEFest had arrived and there we were driving to say our last goodbye to my Grandma. What a weird way to start your day. I remember driving there and feeling just a sense of calmness around me. I remember taking a few pictures of the sky because it just comforted me on the emotional drive to the hospital.

It didn’t seem long ago that my grandma and I were texting back and forth about wedding decorations, shopping for flowers, and assembling the table decor for Devon and I’s wedding and then she was gone.

After an early morning filled with tears, hugs, laughs and memories of Grandma, my Grandpa scolded me on going to WEFest. He said my Grandma would want that and he couldn’t see us missing that opportunity. After a nap and a shower we were on our way to see Carrie Underwood.

If you have ever seen her in concert, you know her voice is just amazing. It was such a healing experience to see her live that night. It’s what my heart needed even though at that time I didn’t think about it that way.

I’ve seen Carrie Underwood a few times since that day and each time I do, it’s just an experience like no other and it almost just brings me back to that healing comfort I felt the day Grandma died. I’ve been to a lot of concerts, but watching a full set of Carrie Underwood is just different and I can’t imagine any other reason why it would be that way.

It’s so crazy to think that it’s been 5 years… and it’s so crazy to think on how much has changed since then.

I’ve taught elementary school and now high school and every time I take out my craft supplies in my classroom, I think of Grandma. She loved crafting and she loved knowing that I enjoyed it a little bit too. When she knew I was going to be teaching, she gave me a lot of her supplies so my students could craft too.

It was always our plan to have Grandma come and teach a craft in my classroom one day, but God had other plans. Even when his plans don’t align with ours, we’ve got to trust it’s the best plan.

In that five year span, my mom moved closer to us and is now practically my neighbor. Something I would’ve never thought I would love so much. Grandpa also now lives with mom and is close to us too. I know Grandma is smiling down from heaven knowing that he is right here with us.

Devon and I continue to go on adventures, have fun in life, spread joy to others and just love life. All of which I know for a fact are things my Grandma did and she’d be proud of us for continuing to do so.

I received a book in the mail today titled “Like A River” by Granger Smith and it’s about finding the faith and strength to move forward after loss and heartache. It’s like God knew I needed to start reading this book today, because even though I’m only one chapter in, it’s already given me some great reminders.

Pain is not permanent and pain is not pointless.

Even though losing Grandma was painful, it wasn’t pointless and that pain isn’t forever. Of course I miss her and of course I wish I could see her one more time, but I know that one day, I will. One day I’ll get to make another craft with her. One day I’ll get to laugh with her.

August 2nd is just another day until it hits me and then it’s not. It’s a day to remember Grandma and to smile about the times we had with her.

Hugs those Grandmas tight. Those Grandpas too. They are pretty special.