"Smile and the world smiles with you. Cry and you cry alone."
"Your eyes are the window to your soul."
"Always say what you mean and mean what you say."
"You can fall in love with a rich man just as easy as a poor man."
"Always look your best."
"Hot dogs cause cancer."
"Long hair is the style."
"We are all on a mission, all the time. Everyday of our lives should be lived as such."
These are just a few of grandma's bits of wisdom she liked to share with others. But to say that grandma liked to share her opinion with others would be putting it mildly. She believed that it was her duty to give guidance and counsel to her family. And she stated her opinion directly without any fluff to soften it! She was always ready with a quote, a news article, or some report to back up her advice. But mostly it was just her opinion...... and that was good enough!
There aren't enough words or enough time to adequately convey all that grandma was in life. Grandma was a bit of a celebrity in some circles. She was larger than life, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her. Standing at just five feet and two inches tall, she was a petite lady. Anyone that met grandma knew right away that she was a strong-willed and determined person. But again, appearances can be deceiving and you wouldn't expect her to be such a dominating and assertive person. You wouldn't expect that such a little lady could wield such a great influence over so many people. But that's what she did. She had a difficult childhood and in her adult life she faced many tragedies. The hardships she experienced in life strengthened her resolve to make the world a better place.
To those close to her, she was incredibly supportive and encouraging..... IF she approved of what you were doing. She was a straight talker and if she didn't like something (whether it was your hair, or the color of your lipstick, or the college you chose to go to) you were sure to hear about it! The best response to her words of advice or encouragement was to smile and nod and not a say a word! She loved her family fiercely and did what she thought was best for them. And in return, we loved her unconditionally. We still love her.
Steffani and I were privileged to spend our childhood with grandma. We weren't your typical family consisting of a mom and a dad and children. Instead we were what I always considered "normal", with a mom and a grandma and two sisters. Since we lived with grandma for many years, we got to see all sides of the incredible woman she was. Her involvement in community, politics, church, and other various organizations is well known. She was a patriot, a volunteer, an advocate, and a voice that would be heard. And she was grandma. When we were little she would sing to us as she rocked us to sleep. She always had the best stories to tell, most often made up as she told them and often in rhyme. Every Saturday we would watch the Lawrence Welk show, one of her favorites, and dance around the kitchen together. Nutrition and health were always very important to grandma and she made sure we always ate healthy; especially breakfast which was usually hot oatmeal and toast with a glass each of milk and orange juice. Of course, it was always fun to find her secret stashes of chocolate that she kept hidden in various places throughout the house! She was always going places and she made sure that Steffani and I were right by her side: to her Republican Women meetings and luncheons, to the library, to the art museum where she volunteered, to plays and to musicals, to Payson Lake and on picnics. She took us on road trips to visit family and to go on vacation.
Of all of the many wonderful things she was in life, she was our grandma: a woman who loved her family more than anything, a woman who knew what she wanted in life and never gave up, a woman who lived her dreams until the end. She inspired us to dream big and then made sure we were constantly reaching for those dreams.
I was 10 years old when my mom told me she was getting married. I was devastated, because I was worried about grandma and didn't want her to be alone. I couldn't imagine my life without her. She had always been there, all of my memories had her in them. She was a part of me. We did everything together and I loved her more than anything, then all of the sudden I was being taken away from her and it was extremely difficult for me to accept. She knew it was hard on me and looking back, I am sure it was just as hard on her. She helped me through it. Even though we would miss each other, SHE knew the bigger picture. SHE knew that I needed a dad in my life.... and SHE was right, I did need a dad. We have always had a strong bond and have been really close to each other. I can still feel her close around me.... everyday.... she is my angel.
I was able to visit grandma a month ago. Her condition had started to deteriorate and she wasn't able to say much. For the first time in my life, she didn't say much of anything! I wasn't sure if she knew who I was at first. But she smiled her sweet smile an winked at me. And while she couldn't say the words, I knew she knew me and that she loved me. The last time I saw grandma was the day before she died. I sat by her side and told her how grateful I was for her life and her example. I told her I loved her and kissed her good-bye. I knew that the next time there would be a twinkle in her eyes, the next time a smile lit up her face, it would be because she was finally reunited with the love of her life, my grandpa. What a joyous reunion for the both of them. Grandma once said, "I am thankful that families are forever and we will someday have that family reunion in the Celestial Kingdom in what I call the Forever of Tomorrow."
The only legacy we can leave our family is what we are. Thank you grandma for the cherished memories, for the lessons you have taught, and for the legacy you have left us. We love you forever.
