Bridget (Bea) Anne Grogan

This is a picture that I drew of my granny.

My grandmother, Bea Grogan is definitely my greatest role model and hero. In 2007, my grandma was diagnosed with skin cancer. This was definitely a learning experience for my family and I. At the beginning, my biggest fear was that she would die and I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to her. As she started chemotherapy treatment and radiation, I began to realize how strong she was. Even though it was hard to see her go through these physically tiring and emotionally damaging treatments, I knew she would come out strong and fight it off. Later during the treatment process, I could definitely tell that she was getting weaker. I then started to realize that I would have to spend my time with her very wisely and make those last moments the most memorable in my whole life. When I visited her, I noticed that just by sitting next to her, whispering to her, and holding her hand, I was making her day better than ever.

After about a year of suffering,on January 27, 2008, my grandma passed away. It was definitely the most devastating experience I have had in a long time, maybe even in my whole life,so far. During this time, my friends and family comforted me greatly. I have to say that my grandma couldn't have picked a better day to go and I know she chose the time that everyone was ready for. I'm sure she is looking down on all of us and knows that we all love and miss her, but she is in a better place!

Angel (http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/angel-bw.gif)

Now, for some of the most memorable experiences I have had with her. First of all, when I was young, my brother and I would visit her house and when my grandpa was alive, he would pick my brother and me up from our house and go to the donut shop on Taravel street. When we got to her house, we would eat our donuts with a glass of milk. My granny would always be so glad to see us and we would be so happy to see her and be able to spend time with our grandparents.

Second, on special holidays, my granny would cook breakfast and occasionally, dinner. Her meals were ALWAYS delicious! She made anything my brother and I wanted and we were definitely grateful. After eating a hearty meal, we'd catch up with each other and hear about all the interesting things that have happened in our recent lives- whether it be a basketball game or a good test grade.

Third, and finally, my grandma would always be there to support me in any of my competitions. At almost all of my basketball, volleyball, or soccer games, I would look over to the stands, and guess who was always there...my granny. Even if she didn't completely understand what the referee's calls were or what was going on in the game, she would be there to cheer my team and me on. One other thing that she would always be at to support me, is my Irish Dancing competitions. My family and I have always been proud of our Irish heritage, especially my granny- from Irish foods to Irish celebrations and dancing. I've always been most comfortable with my granny around me, especially at Irish Dancing competitions. She would be proud of me no matter what happened. Whenever she was there, I seemed to be most happy and do very well in my competition. She would comfort me when I was sad, and rejoice with me when I was happy. This is one of the most memorable things about her that I truly miss. These memories are what has helped me make it through the devastating time since my granny has passed.

Bea's faith was one of the most important aspects of her life. She taught my mom, and my aunt to always remember their faith and to always nurture it. She prayed daily and attended mass everyday she could. When her grandchildren, my brother and I, were born she continued her faith by teaching my brother and I about our faith and how to nurture it. On Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and any other holidays or Catholic holy days, we would attend mass as a family, and even though my grandma has gone before us, her love and faith is still in our hearts and we have carried on the tradition of attending mass together, even without her. One memory that has been carved in my mind is one that reminds me of my granny’s faith. It is when my grandma was getting weak, we knew that she was relying on God and her Catholic faith to keep her alive. One sign of this was that when she could barely even talk, she would continue to pray out loud. The one and only line she would constantly repeat is from the Hail Mary “now and at the hour of our death.” This symbolized to my family and I that she knew she was getting weaker yet she still remembered her faith even in her suffering.

This shows my love for my granny.

My granny definitely meant a lot to me. I loved her not only for all the things she taught me and gave to me, but just because she was an amazing woman, friend, grandmother and mother. She was strong not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. This definitely inspired me and made me think about and change my life goals. She influenced my life in great ways and she also influenced many other people by being a nurse and caregiver for more than 30 years of her life. Many people miss her, especially her close friends and family, and she will always be remembered in my heart and the hearts of many others because of the way she loved all people around her and how she touched their hearts. If I could personally talk to her right now, I would thank her, and tell her I loved her. But, because I can’t really talk to her, I just want to say, I can't wait to be reunited with you, and most of all...
I LOVE YOU, GRANNY!