SARAH AGNES RENTZ
August 4, 1921 – August 15, 2014

Dear Grandma,
Hi, how are you? What a silly question. This time I know the answer. You are GLORIOUS! I imagine the reunion to be a grand celebration. Catching up with Great Grandma & Grandpa Devalon, Elizabeth, Aunt Mary, Uncle Tom, and that handsome guy you wrote a letter to all those years ago…tell Grandpa Hi.

We’ve been celebrating here. Over peanuts, oatmeal cookies and Smartmouth (we may have some cans to crush), we are reminiscing the impact that you made on our lives.

You taught us to play – riding bikes, sliding down your driveway, and what other grandma has a pool table, ping-pong table and a fridge filled with soda. It was a kids dream! And somehow you convinced our parents it was OK to let us all sleep outside…that may be where the real playing began, right boys?

You taught us to love and appreciate nature – we hiked. We canoed. We took nature walks, puffing on an acorn pipe that Grandpa made and searching for birds. Even on 9 Orchard we’d stalk the bird feeders to see what treasures nature would send our way.

You instilled the importance of good hygiene – maybe that wasn’t your goal, but you had so many combs and toothbrushes in the bathroom drawer. Perhaps the lesson was more about always being prepared.

You understood our childish ways. Whether it was our need to make place cards for the dinner table or to use all of the toilet paper in the house, wrapping our arms in a “cast”, you showed us how to be patient, kind and loving.

You taught us to have faith…but assured us that we wouldn’t get drunk off of communion wine.

And you taught us to embrace adventure and enjoy the ride! You even make I-10 through Texas seem like a good idea. I loved every postcard that you sent and couldn’t wait for the annual slide show of your trips.

And now, another adventure awaits you. I realize we won’t be getting postcards on this journey. But I also know that you’ll be with us always. Occasionally I’ll feel your strong but gentle touch or hear you say “Missy….that hair is still wild!” Or a beautiful bird will land on the feeder and I’ll know you sent her to say hi.

But for now, enjoy your adventure…keep an eye me…and one day, we’ll embrace on a breezeway in heaven for a summer reunion and a family photo.

I love you, Grandma!
Missy