A note from Brooke, Pat's youngest grandchild

I know the sentence I'm about to write is going to make me sound completely lacking of any intelligence but I'm not quite sure how to say it any other way:

Grandma is the most strongest and most caringest amazingest incrediblest person in this whole wide world if I was her I would not have half her strength. She is had the BIGGEST obstacles in her life and somehow she goes over them like the average person does speed bumps on a road. The only complaints she makes are quiet, and all I can think about now that I'm back at home and we're not in Utah is what Grandma said both times she bought all of us a meal, "Of course I'll buy it, I have to to make sure you all still love me."

I don't understand why Grandma goes through all of this stuff.

I was talking to my best friend about what's going on and she said exactly what I was thinking, "Wow, why does your family go through all of these things yearly?"

With Bob, and Great Grandma, and Dad, and now Grandma (for the second round since breast cancer), it's crazy the obstacles we've been forced to overcome as a family. At first I felt as if we were burdened, unappreciated, that all bad things got dumped on us. Then, I transitioned into thinking maybe God and the universe was testing us, seeing how strong our bond as a family was to keep our foundation against the tough winds being thrown at us. But finally I decided it's because it's well known how amazingly close and strong of a family we are. Because not very many people can go through what everyone in our family has gone through and end the day thankful and grateful for every moment lived. I don't know many people who can deal with all of this. But besides that, Grandma I love you and I'm sorry I didn't want to talk to you I don't want you to hear me cry because I can't deal with seeing or hearing the ones I love in pain. I don't know if you remember but I couldn't even talk to Dad when he got out of surgery. but I love you to death and I know we can fight this because our family has dealt with this stuff before and we'll do it again. I love you times a million bazillion. - Brooke