Dear Grandma

Dear Grandma,

I write to you

Knowing you could never read this. Even so,

I want you to know, Grandma, how I remember you

 

I remember you in tiny trinkets

In blue board game pieces

And fake glass candies that used to be on your end table

And dozens of photo albums littered across your floor

And the cranberry glass you used to collect

And teapots you rarely used to make tea

 

I remember you in the songs you used to burst out into

In The Dancing Queen

And Que Sera Sera

And going to grandma’s for some ronis

 

I remember you in food

In your pot roast over egg noodles

And  your fettuccine alfredo with chicken marsala

And your undercooked pancakes

And your freezer-burned bread

And the wrinkle in your face when we dared suggest you eat something green

 

I remember you in travel

In brilliant pearl sands on a clear water beach

And cruise ships touring the seas

And Georgia, where your house used to be

 

I remember you in holidays

In eggs of putty on easter, dangling over the banisters of a house we sold

And multi use gift wrap bags at Christmas

And birthday cards filled with two wrinkled dollar bills

 

Most of all, Grandma, I will remember that you loved me.

 

Love,

Granddaughter