MY GRANDPARENTS "Harry & Geri Loudenslager" 'BLESS THEIR HEARTS'

This picture of my grandparents was taken in 1984, I think I am the only one that has a photo of them together. My grandfather told me "I'll do it just for you".

These are my grandparents on my mothers side of the family. My grandmother and I were very close from the time I can remember. Many fond memories of mud pies, complete with raspberries on top, cinnamon rolls from the leftover pie crust dough. My grandmother was quite the creative soul, and avid gardener, must be where I get it from. I love her dearly, and will live my life with many wonderful memories. When I was 6 years old, my Aunt, their only child together was killed in an auto accident. I then somehow became the light of their life. I was always my grandfathers favorite, still remember him taking me shopping, and when he worked for my father, how he would protect me from the rest of the family that I didn't seem to belong to. I can't help but wonder how life would have been different for me had I been left in their custody. However,  I have a wonderful life full of wonderful people and would never think now to change it. My grandmother passed away the 6th day of June 2001, I was on my way home to visit on the 6th. I never got to say goodbye to her and feel a bit saddened by it. But she is no longer suffering from the heart attack that put her in her bed for the last 5 years of her life, she is now free to enjoy all the things that were special to her. Sunshine, her 2 predeceased daughters, flowers, plants...and all the things that brought her so much joy in life.

What a big difference 17 years makes between photos. The thought of them getting up there really didn't hit home until I compared these photos of them. This is the last photo I have of my grandmother, taken at Christmas 2000. She weighed only 88 pounds. Bless her heart for going as long as she did.  I think its sad when even 'Hospice' gives up on a patient. Guess they thought she would live forever. She was what we all called a "tough old bird".

This photo of grandpa was take the same day...Christmas 2000. How I will miss him when he too goes to be with gram. His health is not the best, 'arther' has gotten him down for the last 5 years pretty bad. He misses working in the shop. His business began many years ago building boats, and painting them, then he moved onto painting cars as well.  I had a horse drawn sleigh that him and my father built when I was young. Used it as often as I could when we had a good snow. Wish I still had it.