My Grandmother’s House

What a week it has been!! A whirlwind, but it has been so much fun celebrating the release of my book with you all week long!! I shared in my Instagram stories on Monday about who I dedicated my book to. My grandmother. I was so blessed to group up with a grandmother who only lived 8 minutes across town. My sisters and I would always ask my mom if we could go over for a visit, and I’m so thankful her door was always open. I learned so much in those visits at my grandmothers house, and today I’m sharing my book dedication to her.

It’s true when I say I feel so blessed to grow up with a grandmother who lived close by. I began to realize just how blessed I was the older and older I got, when other friends would talk about their grandparents living so far away, they only saw them at Christmas. For us grammy’s house was our home away from home. It was our first sleepover house, the house we would spend hours playing dress up in, and it was also the house where you got to eat dessert before dinner.

My sisters and I have so many fond memories of time spent at my grandmothers house, including just about every family gathering from the time I can remember. She always had a smile on her face, and she gave the best hugs!! You always felt welcomed in her house, it felt like a warm embrace just like her infamous hugs.

She was an amazing women, and showed my first hand how to love others like Jesus did. She always had her guest room made up for a sleepover, or a friend in need, or an unexpected house guest in need of a safe place to spend a few nights. She taught me the importance welcoming others in, regardless of their circumstance, and that there was always room for one more around the table.

My grandmother was my first blog reader! Actually, now that I think of it, she was probably my only blog reader for the first few months, but she was so encouraging, making sure to comment on every post I wrote, like they were her special letters from me just to her 🙂

She went home to be with Jesus on November 11, 2017, after a short battle with alzheimer’s. And I can say this from everyone, she is dearly missed. If you have a copy of the book already then you may have read the dedication to her in the beginning, but I wanted to share it here as well.

For my grandmother. You were the ultimate hostess-with-the-mostess who made the gift of hospitality look effortless. For teaching me that gatherings can be magical, and to never overlook the simplicity and awe of using everyday items as meaningful details. For wanting to pass down traditions, and instilling the importance of setting the table, even I did roll my eyes a bit. You were a home-maker, a wife, a mom, and a friend to all, but most importantly my grammy. I dedicate this book to you and all the wonderful things you unknowingly taught me by the example you lived out. I will forever remember you and your love for gatherings. Thank you for showing me that no matter what size table I have, there is always room for one more.

{In loving memory}
Betty Virginia Lee Buhrmann 04/13/1933 – 11/15/2017

I’m shared more about my grandmother and her house over HERE. About how she worked a full time job, and still managed to have a successful side hustle for 30+ years. She didn’t have a formal dining room, or even a table that would seat 8, but that didn’t stop all 12 of us from squishing around it for holiday meals. You can click HERE, to read more, and I feel so honored to be able to share her memory with all of you.