Grandma.

     Nearly a month ago we went through a bit of a sad time.  I had been trying all day to reach John's grandma to see if we could take her to dinner that night.  As I became more and more concerned that I couldn't get a hold of her I tried calling someone to get the number to the assisted living place.  In the meantime, John's sister called and let me know that Grandma had been found on the floor of her room, and it appeared that she had a stroke. 
     We went to see her the next night in the hospital and were able to talk to her a little bit.  She wasn't too clear in her speech, but we heard her ask very clearly how our drive down was.  Just like her to be concerned for our welfare.

     Grandma was a pretty independent woman.  She was widowed quite young and had three young girls to raise, including one from her husband's first marriage, when he was left a widower.  She was able to purchase a home, work to support her family, and have many happy years.  She loved her grandkids!  She was so helpful to them and tried hard to know what was going on with everyone. 

 (with a few of the greats in 2005)
     She stood no taller than Jack stands now, and while she was little, you for sure didn't want to mess with her!  She had spunk!  She also had a sense of humor...here she is at Christmas...

    So when she passed away just a couple of days after seeing her, we were happy for her great life that she had been able to live, but she left quite a hole.  Because she was 96, it wasn't too big of a surprise.  But for some reason, I was so sad.  She was my friend and we wrote letters while our family lived in California.  She kept them all and gave them back to me just a while ago. 
     I'm grateful to my sister-in-law for this great photo of her...this is where she always stood when we left her house!

She looked so pretty, the night of her viewing.  She looked peaceful to me.  Katie Anne, when she saw her, got very concerned and asked when Grandma was getting out of there.  I told her that Grandma was going to rest there for a while and Katie Anne replied, "I think she needs her mommy" to which I confidently replied that she was indeed with her mommy.  (Incidentally, Grandma was orphaned along with her sister at a young age so I'm sure there were some amazing reunions for her when she got to the other side!)
    Throughout the viewing there was often one or two kids who would go up and look at her, then go back to playing or running around the mortuary.  I think they were just processing.  The next day, at the funeral (which was planned by a Mormon, a Catholic, and an Agnostic and was held at the First Presbyterian Church) my boys teared up then later on at the cemetery Jane became very concerned about how things would be for Grandma in heaven.  Some people might not have exposed their children to such a time, but I was very thankful to have a chance to talk about the Plan of Salvation.
   We have a few reminders of Grandma around our house, and I doubt anyone will sit in her chair at family dinners for a while...we'll just save that for her!