It's a bit hard to explain my emotions this morning. One part of me grieves, while the other part rejoices. I'm so grateful to my grandma for the amazing legacy she has left her family.
You know, as I think about my memories with Grandma, the most vivid ones are not from the recent years when her strength was weakening. My vivid memories span my lifetime. I remember waking up on Conference morning to Grandma and Lucky Charms; her laugh as we waved her bright burgandy swimsuit from a stick as our "boat flag", Grandma and Linda giggling and up to another one of their practical jokes; many scoops of ice cream; sitting on Rendezvous Beach, Grandma with a baby on her lap, under the big shade tree; a game of Rook (no, hundreds of games of Rook!); my second grade "trip" to grandma's class where I just knew I had the BEST grandma on the planet; Grandma mouthing the words to every song at the Spencer family Christmas party; rounding the corner to the cabin and seeing first thing, Grandma on the deck awaiting our arrival; Grandma's face at my baptism; taking a hike with Grandma at the Lake, amazed at all the "deer" she would see; Lorna Doones; Grandma and Grandpa pulling into the driveway in the big silver car with a straw hat in the rear window; sharing peas from her garden; her complete honesty (especially as she told me she didn't like what I had done with my hair!); her spunk, her fun personality, her complete devotion to her family and her inclusion of anyone who needed a family! Truly an amazing woman! Grandma glued our family together, and I'm so grateful that some of my best friends growing up were my cousins and my family!
I've felt over the past couple of months that our time was short with Grandma. Jud and I took the kids up last month to spend a Friday night date with Grandma at the care center. We really had fun! We pulled out the card table and set up the Dominoes. Even though Grandma didn't have complete use of her right hand, she played a mean game of chicken foot. Keaton was so sweet as he would reach over and help her with her pieces. And Chase and Brooks just beamed as she praised them. Landon has since named her "chicken foot Grandma". And then, on Saturday evening, my parents picked up Grandma and she attended Brooks' baptism. I know it was a sacrifice for her to come. I could tell she really did not feel well. But she wanted to be there! And I couldn't be more grateful, because I had one more time to put my arms around her and tell her that I loved her!
4 comments:
What sweet memories. Grandmothers are so wonderful and play such a big part in our lives. Made me miss my grandma even more.
Your title sums it up. The reunions are what make it easier to bear the loss since we know they are truly happy.
Hugs to you and your fam.
I loved reading all your memories, especially the one about seeing Grandma's smiling waiting for us on the deck at Bear Lake. So true. And, I can remember the excitement of seeing their silver car pull into our driveway.
We are lucky to have her for our Grandma, and I agree that my cousins are some of my best friends. Even though it's a funeral, I expect this Monday will be a happy occasion, too, when we all are together. It will be the perfect tribute to Grandma's life.
I am sorry for your loss. It's hard, even though you know that she is so incredibly happy now! What great memories!!
*hug*
It's reading post like these that make you want to be a better person. Thanks for sharing.
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