My Aunt had a great idea to compile all the families memories we have of her into one book. That is a great task for someone to take on beings that she had eight kids, and many more grandchildren and great grandchildren. I look forward to seeing and reading and remembering grandma.
Until then, I decided that I would post the memories I had of my grandma that were dear to me. They are in no way all the memories that I have, but I believe them to be the most important ones in my life that have helped me to become the person I am to day. I love you grandma, may your memory live on in the hearts of all those who you touched!
My first clear memory of grandma was the year I was finally able to stay and grandma and grandpas by myself. This was huge for me! I remember waiting for so long and being so excited to go. It wasn’t too long before I got homesick and grandma made it better, she always made it better. She always knew how to cheer anyone up. On that same visit I remember going out and helping grandpa with a new roof on one of his rentals. I got tar on my new purple overall shorts and I was so sure I was going to be in big trouble when mom found out. But she never did because grandma saved the day and got the stain out. I always knew she was amazing, but that day she was like a super hero!
I loved going to grandmas and helping her out in her yard. Whether it was weeding the garden or helping her plant flowers. She knew so much and was always teaching me. I think this is where my love for plants was rooted. She also never got mad at me when I accidentally pulled something out that wasn’t a weed. I loved picking raspberries with grandma. There was always a tasty treat to be had after working in the yard with grandma.
When I was in college I called grandma a lot. For some reason Mackay was not long distance from Rexburg. We talked about a lot of things and she always helped me see a different perspective when I was having trouble in school or there were problems with my roommates. She never solved my problems because grandma wasn’t like that, but she helped me work through them until I found the solution on my own. I could always count on good advice from grandma! She was never one to wallow in anything she would find a solution, solve the problem, and move on. I wish I was more like that.
I love reading and grandma always had a library of books downstairs that I got to “check-out” and read as long as I promised to return them in good condition. I think I read most of the books she had down there. When her books weren’t enough she would help me earn money for new books of my own by giving me invoices from the yard to sort and put in numerical order. I think I got 10 cents for every hundred I sorted. I thought I was so rich! She also paid me to put the stamps in her stamp books for Ivy’s. I earned many a dollars to feed my book habit from her and looked forward to going to grandma’s to help her lick stamps and put invoices in order!
When I was reading to her one day she stopped my in the middle of my book and asked me what that was on my face. I was confused; I went to the bathroom and didn’t find anything on my face. Then she let me continue reading to her and stopped me again and said that right there, what is that? She finally told me after a while that I had a scowl on my face and it wasn’t very pretty, if I kept it up, it would get stuck there forever. I believed her, and every time I read after that I would run into the bathroom to make sure there wasn’t a scowl on my face.
I never heard grandma say anything bad about anyone. She had the kindest heart and truly was a saint here on earth. In school we often had to write about our heroes and on more than one occasion I chose her as my hero. She was pure and honest and stood up for what she believed. She was kind and gentle and patient. I don’t know anyone more patient than her. She endured to the end and each day I strive to keep her in my memory and to live as she would have lived. Grandma will forever be in my heart.
My mom says that I remind her a lot of grandma. I never really understood why when I was younger, but as I have grown and mature, I can see many similarities. Grandma is someone I have always looked up to and I strive to be like her.. I hope I can be half the person she is, and that when I see her again, she will be proud of the things I have done in my life.
My mom says that I remind her a lot of grandma. I never really understood why when I was younger, but as I have grown and mature, I can see many similarities. Grandma is someone I have always looked up to and I strive to be like her.. I hope I can be half the person she is, and that when I see her again, she will be proud of the things I have done in my life.
