5 years

Dear Grandma,
It has been 5 years since you slipped into heaven. Did you hear us all singing around your hospital bed? Actually, I didn't sing too much, I was crying too hard--but it really was beautiful. I bet it doesn't feel like 5 years to you--has the time been more like a blink of an eye? Well, I expect you are keeping busy up there--mending people's clothes and reminding everyone of the card game rules. I would expect you have a little garden and you never miss a practice with the choir of angels.
I have been keeping busy down here too-mostly making quilts and babies! I have had two children since you died. Clara Margaret was born exactly 9 months after you died--how cool is that?
You and grandpa now have 24 great grand children and guess who is pregnant right now? Stephanie, Carrie, Sarah and Laura! You can do a little bragging to your friends in heaven about that!
Grandpa is doing good. He had pneumonia a couple of weeks ago but he was mothered by his daughters and is feeling better. He is still as handsome as ever. I know he misses you so much. I think each year that you are gone gets harder for him instead of easier--no one could ever replace you.
I guess the most exciting thing that has happened since you died (for me at least) is the start of Margaret's Hope Chest. There is a passage in the Bible that says "What man meant for evil, the Lord meant for good". Grandma, what happened to you was so very evil. But our great God meant what happened at the end of your life for good. That is so confusingly amazing.
And so, as a result of God's great plan, 550 people all over the United States of America have gotten a handmade quilt bearing your name. A quilt of HOPE and comfort. A symbol of God's grace and love to you and to our family.
Do you already know all of these things? Did God sit you down 5 years ago and say "Margaret, my beloved daughter, come and see what I have planned--I think you will be pleased"?
Grandma, I miss you and look forward to joining you in heaven, until then I will carry on raising my family and making quilts!
Love,
Carin