Grandma

My Grandma passed away last night - she would have been 91 on Monday. It's difficult to be too sad or to shed many tears. She's reunited with Pop, who passed away three years ago, her day-old son, Frederick, and her mother, among others, and that makes me so happy.

Although we lived far away from our Grandparents growing up, they were blessed with both the means and the good-health to be able to visit us often, wherever we lived. I have fond memories of family reunions at Bear Lake in the summers, which were the closest thing our family ever got to a "vacation". Pop had a truck, and a boat, and fishing poles. What more could a bunch of grandkids ask for?

I'm fifth from the right in the denim jeans (in August).

Grandma and Pop married following World War II. Their wedding made the society page in the Salt Lake Tribune, where they described Grandma's stunning outfit, from her suit to the pink satin bow on her hat!

Years later and I still think they are the most handsome couple ever.

This is how I remember them best. They filled in as my parental figures while I was away at school at USU. That was before everyone had a home-computer and the internet, and decent long-distance rates. I was probably able to speak to my own parents maybe once a month. Grandma and Pop were my advisers and my dear friends. They would pull the chairs around the kitchen table when I came for a visit, and I would entertain them for hours with funny stories of my co-workers, roommates, dates, etc. Grandma and Pop helped encourage me in my goal to pay my own way through school, so they would have me over for delicious dinners (and dessert), encourage me in my studies and work, and of course take me shopping for a new outfit on my birthday! Grandma had impeccable taste, and I never went wrong with her recommendations.

I mean really...

They have four children
My Dad, Aunt Janet, Uncle Erik, and Frederick (died as an infant)

Both she and Pop served a proselyting mission in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

We loved going to "Grandma's house". The Logan River ran through their backyard, and they had a little path that wound around and back to the gurgling creek, where we would sit on a little bench and listen to stories about water fairies, while dipping our feet in the cool water. Grandma and Pop planted every single tree and bush in their beautiful yard, and spent countless hours out there tending their yard and garden. They had a fire pit, where we would roast hot dogs and marshmallows. It was always 10 degrees cooler in their yard than anywhere else, which was wonderful in the summer! I think of them every time I eat a banana Creamie.

Grandma is thoughtful and sentimental, which I love. When I was young, one of my favorite things to do was to dress up in all of her costume jewelry. One necklace in particular was my very favorite. It was made of fake yellow topaz, but in my little mind it was "14-karat gold". It was a treasure, and I loved to dress up in it. My Grandma gave it to me, along with a picture of me wearing it as a child.

The night before my wedding, she presented me with a gift of a beautiful handkerchief embroidered with an "A" that had belonged to her mother. I was named after her, so it had a really special meaning. Our photographer was able to capture it on film.

Six-month-pregnant Amy, keeping the rain off of Grandma at Peter's outdoor
Eagle Court of Honor

Lastly, the thing I will miss the most is her wonderful sense of humor. She had the sharpest and quickest wit, and her laugh was infectious. We could get giggling like little girls. She would always say, "I will do all I can, for as long as I can, and after that, we'll have wonderful memories." And that we do. I love you, Grandma!