-from Mark-

Hello Virginia! You left us two years ago today. But you did not leave us in our hearts. We still think about you alot. I wish you were here to say how DAMN cold it is. Do they have Pagliais Pizza up there? We will never forget you and we will see you soon!!!!!!!

Love Mark

-from Paul-

my grandma died a year ago today. i miss her. she was grace. she was love. she was a collection of moments that made me believe in the goodness of humanity. she is proof to me that love is more powerful than loss.

A frozen rose to mark the day--
a year ago you went away.

still missing you---lisa

"In Christ there is no end---In Christ there is no good bye.
So I will hold on to Jesus as long as I can
to see you again......
I close my eyes and I see your face.
If home's where my heart is
then I am out of place.
Oh won't you give me strength to make it
thru somehow. I've never been more homesick than now."
(Mercy Me/Homesick)

-from Mark-

I cant believe its been 1 year since her passing!!! I still think about her everyday!!!! As I said before she was like a mother to me!!!!! I still miss all the good times we had and wish we could continue them now!! I miss the tradition of vacationing up in Alexandria to see her!!!! We dont go up their anymore because she was the main reason for going!!!! We hope to see you soon Ginia and say hi to Sophie for me!!! I love you!!

Love
Mark

-from Mark-

I still think about you everyday Ginia!!!!!!! You were like a mother to me!!!!! I thank you so much for always making sure your relationship with Paul and Lisa stayed strong!!!!! Thank you for including me in that relationship!!!!! Ginia always put others first and her love for us was indescribable. My heart went out to her when she started to get forgetful because she blamed herself for it and was embarrassed. But, obviously it wasnt her fault!!!!! Whenever I hear or think of Pagliai's Pizza I get sad because it was her favorite place to take us!!! But I also remember the good times we had going there!! She would get so excited to go for pizza, just like a kid!!! There will never be another Ginia!!!!!!!! Even though she has been gone for while it still seems like she should still be here with us!!! I'll never forget her famous lines"I cant stand that man", "Paul, do you like coffee?", "he looked like a bowling ball". There were others that Im forgetting right now. And who could ever forget that contagious laugh!!!!!!!! I'll never forget when we were struggling financially and she gave us a large sum of money and it didnt even phase her because she loved us that much!!!!! I cant wait to see her again soon and seeing that smile. Lastly, she always had a special place in her heart for her grandson Paul!!!!! Goodbye Ginia but see you soon!!!
Mark

our heavenly dwelling

now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from god, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. for while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. now it is god who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.

...we miss you...

-From Lisa-

Faith
believes to be away from the body is to be present with the Lord.

But
there you lay under the cold dirt with snow covering your new home.

And my faith
fails so my heart lies barren and cold waiting for springs new grass to grow
and hope to be reborn.

We miss your laughter...

-From Sarah-

I remember when Virginia lived in the apartments in St.Peter. Lisa and I would pick her up to hang out. She was always so kind to me! I would tell her that she looked so young and didn't act like "old" people are supposed to act! She would just smile and laugh...She had so much life and spirit in her and seemed to always want to be on the go! I remember how much of a book worm she was and how she would go on such long walks. I will never forget Paul's Grandma Virginia! She was definitely a very cool woman!

-From Rick and Sarah-

We remember when we would go visit Virginia while we were in Alexandria for Family Camp. We took her to the duck pond and fed the ducks some bread. There was one time when we took her out to eat at a little cafe. She was so much fun to talk with because she was so honest and funny! She had a glass of iced tea. She kept telling us that there just wasn't enough sugar in it! She added a little...and then a little more...and some more...and more...and more... she honestly dumped half of the jar of sugar in her iced tea!! It was so funny!!...it is a memory that we will always have of her. Virginia was a real sugar! She was so sweet and could bring a smile to anyone's face! We will miss her!!! RIP Love, Rick and Sarah

-From Sharon and Jeremy-

My dear Virginia, the time has passed so quickly for all of us.
I wish jeremy and I were there to see you before you left us.
The memories of you and Gary together are very special in
my heart. The way you took me in when i first married your
Son, made me think of you as my real mother and a part of your family. the times are not forgotten but only missed by
us all. Women like you are the cornerstones of a great family
and you will be sorely missed. Goodbye for now Virginia, time will tell when we all meet. Love and respect always.
Sharon and Jeremy Abrahamson

-From Paul-

when i was 10 or so i saw a mountain dew commercial. in it they showed a close up of a guy doing a kickflip on a skateboard. my eyes just lit up. "i need to learn to do that". so i asked my mom for a skateboard. "no.
youll get hurt". i was crushed. i begged. "no, youll break something". i gave up.

my birthday rolled around and my grandma (Virginia) invited me and my mom up for cake and presents. the last present i opened was the biggest. so i opened it quick! it was a skateboard! my first skateboard. i was so excited. and my mom was so mad. (apparantly grandma went behind moms back) i have a picture of the moment. im so happy..and my grandma is behind me...so happy...so proud. she made my mom mad...but she didnt care at all because she made me happy.

stubborness can be a bad thing. unless its a stubborness that says i love you...and im going to show it no matter what people think. and thats my grandma. stubborn. but so full of love. so full of grace.

heaven may be perfect...but i know its much better now that my grandma is there. and i can let her go, knowing that i havent held anything back. i havent left one word unsaid. and i know she hasnt either. ill miss her..but the pain and confusion is enough. its time for peace.


ps...almost 20 years of skateboarding and thousands of kickflips but NO broken bones. thanks Grandma.