Throughout my life, I’ve had several step grandparents. My stepmother’s parents, both my stepfathers’ parents, and my paternal grandfather’s exwives. Grand total? Ten.

Yep. There’s a reason my husband stopped trying to figure out my family tree.

Tonight I found out that one of my favorites passed away. Allie was my grandfather’s second wife and they had an interesting relationship… They dated after they got divorced. I loved her.

She moved away several years ago and developed dementia; it didn’t matter because her death came as a blow to me, probably because I remember her genuine love for me and for life. She was one of a kind and she took care of me even when she had no responsibility to me. Oh and she snuck me Cokes in the hospital when I wasn’t supposed to have any. I loved that.

Rest in peace, Allie Mae.