A Life Loved

I had her thank you card in my purse. I was going to put it in the mail that day. But as we all know, unexpected events happen every day. On Wednesday Jan. 4th my dear sweet Grandmother suffered a massive brain aneurysm, and on Thursday January 5th, after my Dad and Aunt flew out to Texas where she was living with another Aunt, she passed away peacefully after 88 years of a full life.


It’s strange to think that GG Eddie (Great Grandma Edith) as she was known most recently, since she had 8 great grand children, is actually gone. It was just a week before that we had spent a fun filled Christmas together, and we’re certainly glad we have those memories to hold on to. She was my last living grandparent, and she was so special to us all. She was a spunky night owl that loved life. She was always there for any and every major life event, baptisms, graduations, birthdays, marriages, you name it, she was always there. She loved to shower you with gifts and if you ever told her you liked something, she would be sure if she ever saw anything that had that “thing” on it she would pick it up. For me, as I child, I chose those cute little baby white harp seals as my favorite animal and I collected precious moments. So for all of my childhood and teenage years you could count on my birthday and or Christmas gifts having one or both of those things involved.

When my Dad turned 40 she gave him 40 gifts that were all Dalmatian related gifts, with the last one being an actual dog! Yes my Grandma gave my dad a Dalmatian for his 40th birthday. We couldn’t keep the dog for long, because it attacked our other dog several times, but still, my Grandma was committed to giving gifts, and we loved it.

She really was hilarious. She was patient and kind and had a testimony of the Savior.
When I think of her here are a few things I'll always remember

•  She always had the same perm
• She loved gardening, birds and vitamins.
• She liked to travel , and thanks to the timeshare she bought, we had awesome family reunions.
• She was an animal lover always had dogs and cats around to keep her company.
• She worked in the temple until her body no longer allowed her to perform the necessary duties.
• She was a nurse and was so tall.
• She could eat a lot of popcorn and fudge.
• Her favorite store was TJ MAXX and she loved a good bargain!
• She loved movies and just being part of the fun.

I am so thankful the wonderful memories of summertime’s swimming at Grandmas house in Red Wood City, CA and staying up late watching movies with Grandma and her bowl of popcorn. I am thankful she chose to be baptized and raise her family in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I had her in my life for 29 years and for the knowledge that I have that I will see her again in the next life because we are an eternal family. Today, I have a heart full of love that aches a little bit because of this loss, but I once heard a quote that I feel the truth of today. 
"The only way to take the pain out of death is to take the love out of life"
I am so thankful for the love we shared, that I knew my grandma so well and have so many wonderful memories together.  Love and Miss you Grandma!

This was taken  less than 2 weeks before my Grandma passed, so glad we captured this time together!