Happy Birthday, Grandma Jenny!

The day is almost over but my thoughts certainly never stop thinking about a very dear lady in my life. Today is my very precious Grandma Jenny's birthday! Had she not left several years ago, she would have celebrated her ninty-ninth birthday today. I'm sure she's still celebrating but now she's in a place where years aren't so definitive anymore. :) But I had to share a birthday greeting to her anyway. She will always have a very special place in my heart and days like today make me miss her even more and love her even deeper.

She may not have stayed on this earth long enough to see one of her dreams come true but we're still working on it. And some day soon, Lord willing, we will bring home our sweet baby girl from China and tell her all about her namesake. Yes....Jenna Elizabeth (+ Chinese name) Lorenz, aka "JennaBeth" will hear all about her Great Grandmother Jenny and how the love of one precious, humble, gentle and genuine soul...touched countless lives for generations.

I miss you so much, Grandma. I miss sitting at your table and laughing like two school girls. I miss the letters we wrote to one another when I was in college. I miss the phone calls from Kentucky to Virginia late at night when we shared life...and love...and secrets...and dreams. I miss surprising you with unexpected visits to your house when you still thought I was in KY that day. I miss our trips in my little VW. We had some great ones. I miss calling you to ask how you made a special recipe...and you talked me through it. And I still use those recipes for my family! I miss your laughter, your music, your joy and your faith. I miss your smiles and your strength...your love and your hope. I miss hearing your voice and walking into your home where love abounded every moment. I miss hearing the exciting stories from your life and how you remember historical events I've only read about. I miss hugging you...and kissing your cheek...and knowing there would always be a bond between us. I miss you, my precious Grandma Jenny.

But I also remember some of the last words we spoke to one another...and we knew that even though they might be the final words we shared on this earth...we would see one another again someday...forever. I remember the promises we made to one another on this earth and for eternity. I remember you. I remember your love. I remember your incredible influence on my life. And I remember a place in my heart that will always be yours...and only yours. You were...and are...one of a kind. It has been, and will always be, a joy to call you my Grandmother.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Jenny. You are one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love you so much and I can hardly wait to hold your namesake in my arms. Then I will tell her for the very first time that her name is Jenna...because of a dear, precious, selfless and loving, faithful woman who had a heart full of love and who changed my life forever. It seems only fitting to name your great-granddaughter after you...when our JennaBeth will also enter our lives with lots of love and will change our lives forever, too.

From all of us here to all the love, glory and hope where you are, Happy Birthday, Grandma Jenny. I can only imagine how wonderful the celebration is there for an amazing lady like you. I can hardly wait to hug you once more..for eternity.
Cherishing your life and love always,
Terri and Family