One Year

Wow it does not feel like it's been a whole year! Today is the anniversary of my Grandmother's death. April 2011 we found out she was sick. The doctors told us she needed a liver transplant. As time went on the doctors discovered that the transplant procedure wouldn't be able to happen because of an enlarged vein in the area. I think it was around June that we all had the inevitable in the back of our heads.

I had my gallbladder removed in the middle of June and I remember my Grandma calling me two weeks later while I was still recovering. I remember receiving a call from her out of the blue. She was calling me and asking me if there was anything that she could to for me. I remember thinking to myself, "Grandma, you're the one who's sick! Compared to you I'm fine, I'm recovering. I should be asking you that question!" Again she let the offer stand, reminded me that she lived only a hour away and told me she loved me. Little did I know that would be my last conversation with her. My Grandma is my example of charity.

She died July 14, 2011 at age 67. It's ironic that when my mom called me to tell me that I was at the DI doing a group volunteer service project. I know my grandma would have been proud of me for doing that. The funeral was a beautiful service and I loved learning things about my grandma that I never knew.

Because this is my blog and I chose it to have to deal with happiness I'm going to list and recount memories and lessons that I've learned or had with my Grandma.

1. Grandma's house was BOMB. It had the smells, the things, the feel. You all know what I'm talking about. When ever we would visit she'd always have a cupboard full of goodies and I'd always have a root beer float.  To this day though I still have no idea why she always bought red delicious apples. We all thought they were disgusting. She also had the best toys, puzzles, games and a chalkboard. Oh, she had these mini trampolines that we'd always try to do flips onto the couch from. There was also a tea set that I always played with and although I always managed to spill water everywhere while trying to fill my tea cups up she never got mad. I would always give grandpa back massages too because then I thought it was fun. Walking on his back or using the cool massager thing. I always really liked being at grandma's.

2. My grandma would come with my grandpa to everything she could of mine. They came to dance team state almost every year I think and they were at a few basketball games and spring shows where we preformed. They came to my senior piano recital too. It always made me feel special when she came to my events.

3. I don't even know the story behind this one but I just remember one time mom, grandma and I were laughing hysterically about something in the living room. I don't even know what it was but we were all crying! To this day I have no idea why.

4. She always needed to have ice in her water. When she'd come over what was the first thing she'd do? Freeze her water bottle. Then we got an ice maker and she used it all the time.

5. How she would 'yell' at my grandpa. Like when grandpa would always harass the cat or dog and get them riled up I can just hear her going "LUTE!" she was never honestly mad but it was funny to watch.

6. Every time she'd leave a message on someone's answering machine it always started out with, "Hellooo? Is anybody home?" Seriously it was hilarious, every time.

7. She let me take this picture of her

8. When she'd ask me for make up advice and I'd never know what to say because I'm not make up savvy either. She was on a quest to find and eye liner that was soft (easy to apply) that she didn't have to pull her eye to the side to apply. I'm not sure if I could apply eye liner any other way haha! I thought of liquid eye liner but I don't think she'd like that either.

9. If I ever needed to buy clothes for my grandma it'd be so easy. To this day my mom and I can walk through a store and both look at a shirt and be like, Grandma would wear that. 

10. No matter how old I was she would always give me big hugs, say "Grandma loves you" make smoochey noise in my ear and kiss me on the cheek.

My grandma was a great woman and although I miss her I've had a wonderful experience in learning where she is and how she is. For anyone who has lost someone close to them, read The Message by Lance Richardson. After praying and going to the Temple to receive peace about her passing, reading this book topped it off for me. It gave me some insight about just how happy she is. Although it was hard to watch her go it's been a great experience for me to grow. Our family has been blessed with another wonderful lady that my grandpa has met and I know that my grandma couldn't be happier for him.