It has occurred to me that over these past 5 years in business, I’ve never really “introduced” myself to my social media follower base. My posts are generally around items that enhance either my business or my industry, but not myself as a person. I decided to share myself with all of you today because I truly feel that to share an event as personal as a wedding with another person, you need to have a sense of who a person is. You need to feel comfortable with them, confessing to them, confiding in them.. you need the feel that they are your ally. And I don’t know about you, but like I know my allies.
So here it goes, to anyone who is wondering who exactly Miranda Meisenbach, PWC., is. I am a Bay Area native, born in San Jose and raised in Los Gatos. I spent my childhood riding horses, singing to anyone who would listen, cheerleading, reading books during class, getting a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and dabbling in softball and soccer. I graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School, and proceeded to attend West Valley College. At 20 years old, I became a mother to a handsome blue-eyed baby boy, whom I named Aidan. A year and some change later, I was blessed with another little miracle, a mini me named Avia. After being a single mother for 3 years, I met a wonderful man who I am committed to spending the rest of my life with. My family is extremely important to me, I have a loving and beautiful mother named Teresa, a retired Firefighter Engineer at the Los Gatos Fire Station (part of SCCFD). I have a hard-working father named Bruce who is retired as a Captain from the Redwood City Fire Department. I have two brothers, one younger brother CJ, and an “adopted” brother named Chris Fleming.
Anyone that lived in Los Gatos in the 1990s would be able to recognize Chris. He was the “McDonald’s Man”. A gentle and kind man with highly functional Down’s Syndrome, Chris was “Adopted” into my family via my father, who taught Chris in Special Ed at Lynbrook High School in the early 80s. His mother, whom I called Grandma Vivian, was one of the most influential people in my childhood. When my firefighter parents needed an overnight babysitter, it was her house that I stayed. She taught me how to sew and appreciate the possibility of everyday items. When my life was turned upside down during the births of the children, she never uttered a single negative word. She always encouraged me with my life and business.
This week, that wonderful, strong, beautiful woman had a massive stroke and is expected to pass any day. I am both at peace with this and in turmoil.
My grandma is 89 years old, and has lived a long and full life. When I went to visit her on Tuesday evening, I knew she was at peace with her imminent passing. When asked if she was worried about anything, she shook her head “no”. She held my hand and responded when I told her I loved her.
On the other hand, I am devastated at her passing. Although I visited her about once a month, I always wanted to come up with no agenda or plans, and just sit and talk with her. Ask her all of the questions that I sometimes ponder late at night, regarding life and death. Ask her about her childhood, her life lessons, and grand adventures. Everytime I left her house I would say that I was going to find a time to come up and just hang out. It never happened. There will be no future conversations, no more memories to make. Every memory I will ever have of my grandmother is already filed away in my mind.
In the midst of everything, I am reminded of why I love what I do so much. Its because I get to witness memories being made of the most important caliber. I get to see family come together (sometimes for the only time) to witness a celebrate of love. I get to watch the love between a grandmother and her granddaughter on her wedding day. I get to be a part of something truly magical, and I am absolutely in LOVE with it.
My grandma won’t be at my wedding. None of my grandparents will. But I know that they will be there in spirit, and I will remember each of them on that day and every other one of my life.
Rest in peace, my dear sweet grandmother. I love you!