A Library card to Heaven

When my Grandma Reed was in her 80’s we took her to get a library card, her first.  Gram was an avid reader and the romance novels were her crack.  She traded books with her girlfriends, daughters, and the small used bookstore in town.  So one afternoon when she mentioned that she needed something new to read, I offered to take her to the Library.  “No Library card”, was her reply.  So of course, it instantly became my mission and I talked her into going by telling her she would need a Library card to get into Heaven.  We laughed and off we flew (as quickly as one can fly escorting a 4’11” woman with a cane).   It was only a couple of miles from the house.  Her girls had Library cards growing up and in fact her oldest, my Mother, loved books and became an Elementary School Librarian. 

When we arrived a very sweet, young Librarian took Gram’s license and attempted a couple of times to find her in the system.  Gram impatiently told her again, “I really have never had one, I need an application”.  The gal smiled and promised to get her all set up.  Once we made it through the paperwork she guided us to the romance novels with Gram’s instructions to point out the Nora Roberts books.  At the top of the row she paused and gave us the beauty queen hand wave at the hundreds of paperbacks in that genre.  I’ll never forget my little Grandma’s mouth falling open, eyes popping, and her smile at the endless row.  She checked out 10 books in record time and let the gal know she would be back next week for more.   

Last week my beautiful, sassy, brave, 91 year old Grandma went to Heaven. I know she is there, because she had her Library card.  I loved her fiercely and thank her for telling me to let go of things beyond my control and to love everyone around me as much as my heart would allow.