Time; Don't Let It Slip Away

Suzie's Surprise

Both concert's were absolutely amazing… The best we've ever done, I think. 

Today was our last day in Jersey, before we start up the South American tour, and like Steven promised me, we were sitting in Grandma Suzie's room cleaning out her belongings. 

We were relatively silent. Just kind of sorting everything out. 

Occasionally I would chuckle at an old memory or tear up at an old photograph, but otherwise, I stayed quiet. 

Everything was almost done… There was just another box, or two, that needed to be packed up. 

"You okay?" Steven asked, glancing up from an old photo album. 

I paused, thinking about it for a minute. 

"Yeah…" I sighed. "I mean, it's hard, but someone's gotta do it… I'm just honored that she wanted me to be the one."

"That's the best way to look at it." He smiled, scooting a little closer to me. "Look what I found…"

I peeked up from the ceramic angel statues I was looking through, to see Steven inches from my right side, slipping an arm around my waist. 

In his right hand was the photo album he was looking at, which he softly rested in my lap. 

"Look how cute you were as a baby." He laughed, kissing my temple. "I could've sworn that was a picture of Alaska with blonde hair." 

"Ahh I remember this picture…" I smiled looking at the old photo. 

It was a picture of me on my first birthday. I was sitting in a high-chair with chocolate cake smeared across my face, and Gramma Suzie was sitting next to me, laughing while trying to wipe the cake off my face. 

I chuckled, scanning over the rest of the photos on that page. 

My eyes landed upon the picture that was resting in the slot directly next to it. 

It was my most favorite picture of my childhood, which was taken that very same day.

It was a side-profile picutre of Grandma Suzie was sitting on the couch, with me standing on her lap.

I had my little one-year-old arms stretched out, and I was touching her cheeks. A huge surprised grin was permanent on my little lips, as I crinkled the button nose that I had. 

Grandma was holding my little waist, making sure I didn't fall off of her, while she wore the same laughing expression that I was. 

"This is my favorite…" I smiled, sliding the photograph out of the clear plastic slot it was sitting in. 

For some reason, I flipped the photograph over.

I wasn't expecting to find anything other than the date, or the label of the printing company.

Instead, I found my grandmother's flawless curly-q script, waiting to be read. 

Instantly, my hand flew up to my mouth covering the gasp that inevitably escaped, as my eyes scanned the letter waiting for me. 

"My precious Mia; I know my time is coming, and I don't want to burden you with the sadness my death will cause, so this letter seemed like the most appropriate way I could tell you everything I need to. 

Mia, I love you with all my heart and soul, and I need you to know how incredibly proud I am of you. I'm so proud of all you've accomplished. I'm proud of the career you've built for yourself, and I'm proud to call you my Granddaughter. I'm happy to have been able to spend my last few years giving you my full support in whatever your heart lead you to.