Last night we got word that Blake's grandma finally stopped being so stubborn and left this life to be reunited with her husband after nearly 9 1/2 years. I can just hear her saying, "Oh Crap!" cause Grandpa left her for so long. At the same time I can just imagine the reunion of the two of them after so many years. I know there was a great love between the two of them and am so thankful for the knowledge I have that they can be together forever. I feel so blessed to have been a part of Grandma's life for just over 12 years. I cherish the many visits we have had with her over the years. When I first married into the family and began visits with Grandma, it was with Grandpa at their home in Arizona. What I remember most was that Grandpa was in on the computer almost always doing family history work (or something about genealogy, I am sure it had something to do with a calling he had in the church) and the TV was always turned on to some game show and the volume was turned up really loud! I remember Thanksgivings at their house..... the pies were always bountiful thanks to Grandma's expert baking. I remember her pumpkin roll, and the white chocolate dipped ritz crackers with something good in the middle (I hope someone has that recipe or I call it. HAHAHA!) It always seemed you could find some kind of goodness in her freezer, just don't ask how long it had been there. I remember, when I was on bed rest with Sierra I got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's for a couple of days while Blake went to work. Grandma took such great care of Savannah and me. I remember her making me a mustard, I mean ham, sandwich for lunch. For the record, I do like mustard, just not THAT much. But I ate it gratefully because she made it with love, and really, how can you complain when someone is willing to take you in, serve you every meal and take care of your one year old?
After Grandpa passed on in 2000 Grandma moved to Utah (which was perfect cause we were already there by that time). We had the pleasure of going to see her often, though now I wish we went more. She usually had something for my kids to eat and when she didn't she felt bad about it. You could see her mind frantically scrambling to think of something she could give to the kids (isn't that just like a Grandma? Always wanting to give even though there was not much to give). I remember the day she gave my kids their own cherished set of salt and pepper shakers. She gave us strict instructions to "take good care of them." For those of you who don't know, when Grandma lived in Arizona she had probably close to two hundred sets of salt and pepper shakers. She got rid of a lot of them when she moved to Utah and I am sure it broke her heart. She had to get rid of the rest of them when she was moved into her last "home" here on earth cause there was little room for any stuff. As we continued to go see her as often as we could, it was always a pleasure. So often we would catch her when she was playing Bingo or at lunch. It brought her such joy to "show off" her grandkids and great grandkids to everyone. Sometimes she would not recognize us right off, but once she did her face would light up. I remember visits we made with David and Becky and how Grandma called Becky, Debbie for so long (hey, maybe that is what we should do to keep the two Becky Larson's separated, we would call David's Becky, Debbie. HAHA). Hey, does anyone know how many hats she made? That is something she was so proud of.... she made hats on a loom and donated them. She had kept so careful track of how many she had made and donated. It was definitely in the hundreds. My kids had to be really careful not to tangle up the yarn when we were there.
Okay, so this started out kind of chronological and now it is all a mess. I need to get back on track. Where was I? Oh, who cares. On with my story.
Here are the last pictures of my kids and Great Grandma from when we were up there in March. Summit was not sure he wanted to be in the picture, so this first one is cause Grandma looks so beautiful.
And this one is cause it has all my kids in it. I was not sure how long Summit would stay there so I just snapped, not waiting for Grandma to be looking. What do you do???
Have your amazing, thoughtful big brother photoshop a picture so you can have it all! Thank you so much Jared, you are incredible!!!!!
My brain knows it is a good thing that she has left this life. She was so uncomfortable!!!! She could not see much, she could not hear much and she could barely breathe. But that does not make it easier to see her go cause my heart aches. Grandma will be very missed!!!!!!!! It will be strange going to Utah and not rushing over to her place first thing so she knew how important she was to us. It was kind of funny, but every time we went to visit her she wanted to know when we got into town, how long we were going to be there for and who we had already seen. She was always thrilled to know that she was our first visit after a night's rest.
Thank you Grandma for all the memories you have given me, my husband and my kids. Thank you for the example you were to us. Thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for making us laugh. We love you and we anticipate our reunion with you when we pass on, when we will again get to see you face, your smile and again feel that magic, just knowing that you love us even before you squeeze us to pieces.
