Things worth remembering

Collecting pinecones from the yard to make bird feeders with peanut butter and birdseed. Learning to dye muslin with Kool-aid and sew a patchwork pillow. Pitting cherries for pie. Falling in love with the joy of making.

Going to ballet class while she watched from the side. Trying to learn new dance steps as she helped my best friend and me choreograph a dance routine to audition for the elementary school variety show — and the pride of making the cut. Inventing skits to perform in the living room. Making my Alice in Wonderland costume for my school’s spring musical. Realizing the delight of making people smile.

Playing with a houseful of dogs and cousins. Talking about school. Surprise family reunions. A wedding. Christmas presents. Phone calls. Hugs. The playful look of her handwriting. The ringing sound of her laugh.

The searing heartbreak of saying goodbye after her first visit to us in Maryland, our new home state.

The secret joy I felt when her van broke down and she had to stay a few days more.

Knowing that Grandma lived for doing what she loved. Crying alone in a hotel room, missing her.