You Will Be Missed

Wilma Joyce Hayward

October 11, 1931 - July 12, 2010

At 78 years old, Grandma Hayward lived a long and love-filled life. She was definitely spunky, even to the very last days. I think each and every one of her children and grandchildren have inherited a little piece of her tenacity. Although I know she's in a better place, there are definitely plenty of things that will be missed. For example,

• Grandma's chocolate chip cookies - always baked fresh every Saturday
• Eating snacks out of her reused (clean) butter dishes
• Hanging out at her house and playing the piano, sometimes after some very convincing coaxing
• Going with her to Wal-Mart and shopping for hours, only to buy a few items.
• Her voice
• Her scoldings
• When she made me plug my ears at the hospital when the nurse asked her if there was anything she worried about...she said "I worry about my grandkids." I wasn't plugging my ears too well...
• Her genuine love for her entire family

July 2008

The last few days have been filled with various family members slowly sorting through Grandma's house. Somehow my neat, tidy, and extremely organized Grandma was able to stash away mementos from the last 78 years of her life in the confines of every drawer, closet, nook, and cranny. I had no clue that her house contained so much stuff! One would never know from visiting because everything was stored out of sight. Just a few of the amazing items found:

• Little notes Grandpa used to give her during high school
• All of Grandma's pay stubs 
• Grandpa's high school report card
• Grandpa's American Literature textbook
• A bag full of get-well cards from 1971 when Grandpa had heart bipass surgery.
• An assortment of pictures, including a few with Grandma wearing shorts while sitting next to a bicycle.
• Grandma's diary...I've heard it contains a shocked entry that "He took a picture of me in my shorts!"
• Newspaper article: "Miss Dekuiper and Mr. Hayward Speak Vows"

Although Grandma Hayward will be missed, we know it's okay because Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
John 11:25-26