Beautiful

I received this beautiful email today from my Dad's cousin (and one of my favorite people in the whole wide world) in response to my sparkle blip.

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I just saw that you had a blip about your Grandma and I just HAD to find it!!! I loved her too!!! Such a class act in her shopping, in her fun, in her bathing suits and hats soaking up the sun on a raft at Bass Lake, in her expressions........
"OH KID NO REALLY?????"

Showing off her rings and bracelets that she bought and of course....the great LOVE MATCH that was she and your GRANDPA!!! Yep, she was a fantastically fun Grandma and a beautiful, supportive Aunt also. So as an Aunt and a Grandma, I have such great role models to follow or.....at LEAST TRY TO!!! Let the fun and sparkle continue!!!

You know, your dad and brothers, my cousin and her brothers, and I were all just SO very fortunate to have 3 great women as mothers and aunts. They also were such outstanding, involved and loving Grandma's.

Love, DIVA
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DIVA, an all-time great great great woman! A role model to me growing up, an inspiration to me now that I am all grown up, and the source (and I mean THE SOURCE) of endless hours of entertainment. I lovingly refer to her as DIVA and when I tried to end a letter to her, "love DIVA", she promptly reminded me that I don't get to be all all-cap's diva until I reach the age of she and my Mom. So it has been decided, she is DIVA, I am diva, and my daughter is itty bitty diva.

As you can see, I have been raised around amazing strong women my whole life. DIVA being one fine example of someone who has shown me through example how to set goals in my life and reach them. Love others with patience, understanding and devotion, and to enjoy life with an outstanding sense of humor because.......well why not, a smile and a laugh just makes life better.

This photo is dedicated to ALL of the beautiful women in my life.

I love you! Yes........YOU!

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Update email from DIVA.....one day later:

"Hey little d,

I write this to you with gratitude and tears dripping down my face. You are an artist, you paint with oils, with smiles, with words and with your heart!!!! That is why we all love you so VERY much!! I will call you with thanks this week!! P.S. The flower was my mom's favorite color so as your Grandma was sparkling her love around your kitchen, you also just gave me a moment to treasure with my own mom!! P.S. Do you have her Franciscan dishes???? HUGS and sniffs,

Cousin DIVA"

and then from my other cousin......

"Your blips are amazing....You've got it right on! Your Grandma WAS and STILL is a sparkle! She was a classy woman and made a bathing suit look like splendor! The figure and smile to pine for!

Love you.

What a tribute to your Grandma and for your Dad too......gosh...the diva girls are great too...ittsy bitsy diva coming up.....whoa!"