Grandmother remembered as ready for adventure

Over the weekend, my beloved grandmother passed away. Her passing was unexpected, but blessedly fast.

In a house full of chaos, she was always the one to anchor us — the epitome of grace and courage.

Here's a perfect example. When I was 13, my grandparents bought a new motor home, picked me up and started driving west, on a mission to explore every national park and monument between Ohio and California.

Driving down a mountain somewhere in Montana, however, the brakes failed, and the motor home started gaining speed, blowing through narrow curves and passages.

My grandfather said, “Arlene, I think we're going to have to crash it into the side of the mountain.”

Equally as calm, she replied, “No, we are not. Turn right RIGHT NOW.”

She saw the path to safety that he had missed — a runaway truck ramp that we rode all the way to the top.

That's how I will always remember her — calm, patient and ready for adventure.