Today I will not weep
Not because I'm not sad
But you were a Fighter
and Survivor
Beating breast cancer
So I walked a mile in your honor
To represent all the cancer walks we did together
I listened to polka music
Not because I like it
It's actually quite horrible in fact
But a generational difference
It was your favorite and what always played
on the old fashioned vinyl needle
I went to Belk and then more stores shopping
Not because I needed anything
But you were a bargain hunter
One of the best in fact
I looked for the best dang deal and then bought it
Not for me but I'll surely find someone that will
Just like you always did
I looked up how to make "red" applesauce
Not because I was craving it or could do it justice
After all, you would make it fully from scratch with apples you personally picked
But it was one of the items we used to do together
That I always requested at your house
I also drank the best white wine I could find
Not because you were a drinker
Far from it
But you bought me my first ever bottle at the age of 19
when I was teaching summer camp
Giggling, you told me to sneak it in and share it with the other girls
I capped my day with a slice of pizza
Not because you really liked it
But my brother and I did
Your generation didn't believe in takeout
But if we were extra good on a special occasion
We got one at your house when we spent the night
Today I did end up crying
Not because I'm not strong like you
But I cried in happiness that even though I wasn't technically blood
I only ever knew you as my grandma
And you only ever treated me as the best granddaughter
So with that as the best definition of how you lived your life
Is something to celebrate
