Today would have been my Grandmother's birthday; she went to be with Jesus a week ago today at the age of 83. Margaret Daniel Lynch was one of the most important and influential people in my life. She loved me unconditionally all throughout my life - when I was little kid and used to kick her in the bed when I slept over at her house, when I was teenager and she listened to all my boy-crazy stories, when I was a young wife and couldn't cook a lick, and when I became a mother and wanted to know everything she knew about raising kids.

Being away from her this past year has been so hard, but in so many ways she and Granddaddy came with me to Serbia. Every time I cuddle with a cat, I think of her. She loved cats. Or every time I make a chocolate pie or let Caleb win at checkers. When we say the blessing before a meal, I think of her. When we would eat with her, dad would ask me or my sister to say the blessing. No matter what we prayed, she would always say, "Well. . . that was good." We would all smile or laugh, especially when my sister would say one of her super-short prayers and Grandma would still say that. She loved Tim so much, and she said he was "steady" - he didn't let things bother him. I think she knew I would need a husband like that.

She loved being a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. She didn't let the busyness of this world distract her from these responsibilities. In today's world, women are admired who can travel globally and independently, who hold tightly to their needs and rights. My grandmother served her God, her husband, her family, and then her community. And look at her legacy! All six of her children love the Lord and serve Him faithfully. All of her grandchildren were raised or are being raised in Christ-centered homes. My granddaddy adored her, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren called her blessed.

I love you, Grandma. I'm so sad that I won't be able to tell you that for a while. But I will see you again one day. And I promise that I will try and follow your example - to love God and know His Word and to love and serve my family. I can't promise that I will ever be able to make biscuits like you. Maybe you won't mind fixing me some when I see you soon in heaven. Happy birthday. You will always be in my heart.