It is 5 years ago my phone rang at 5 am. The call I was waiting for. You were gone. After 6 months struggle with ovarian cancer your body finally gave in. At the noble age of 92. You were living on your own, in your own apartment to the very end. Our friends and your neighbor came and helped you as well as a home health nurse. But you were amazing.

You were an amazing grandma. You taught me how to sing. You certainly knew it after your years at the Copenhagen Royal Theatre. You took me there to see it all behind the scenes. They let me perform on that magnificent stage. All of the professional singers, dancers and staff was sitting down in the seats, the orchestra in the pit when you pushed me out on that huge stage. All eyes on me.

I was around 11 or 12 years old. I started to sing Phantom of the Opera as that was the last musical I had just seen. The orchestra started to join in quietly. It was an amazing experience. My first time on a big stage in front of an audience. And they liked it! They were impressed with my voice. And I knew that these people did this for a living. They were amazing. That day was probably the day when I realized that to be on stage and have people watch you wasn’t scary. It was fun.
I have something very valuable left from your time at the Opera House.

The top is your backstage pass that also was the pass that you used when we visited them that day. The second is your ID card issued by the Opera House. I cherish these two so much!

Food… Good Lord you could cook. And bake. You cooked 3 meals a day for grandpa, you made sure I had food when he came and picked me up and took me wherever I had to go. And it was always amazing. I am pissed at myself for not learning more from you.

But then it came to driving… haha… that was not your forte. Now, a driver myself I realize how crazy you were behind the wheel but back then I had no clue, and that was probably good. That you didn’t get into more wrecks is to me a God’s thanks! There were a lot of curbs that was jumped when you were behind the wheel. I wish there was YouTube back then, I could have made a fortune recording you. It was hilarious!

Now mom has joined you up in heaven and I know both of you and grandpa are sitting up on a cloud watching me. I miss all of you! I miss our family time together. All of you gave me the best childhood anyone could ever dream of. You spoiled me rotten! You never held me back! I have so many wonderful memories with all of you and for that I am forever grateful! I wish everyone would have had the opportunity to meet you. You were so funny. I could write a book about things you’ve said that made me crack up!

I wish I had more pictures of you. These are the only pictures I have right now. At least it is better than none…

A fun detail about this picture. The purse grandma is holding is one that my mom made. It is cross stitch embroidery. I believe we still have it somewhere in a box. At least I hope. Grandma loved to do big weave tapestry and paint. She was pretty good at it.

Thank you for everything granma! I love you forever! It is such an honor to carry your name and celebrate the same heartday and birthday with you!

May-Lis Yvonne Nilsson
March 21, 1923 – October 5, 2015