Grams

This is my dear Grams, who we have all had in our prayers these past couple of days. She is currently in the hospital and we're all hoping she starts recovering soon. Because thoughts of Grams have been so heavy on my mind lately, I thought I would share with all of you what an amazingly wonderful person she is to me and to all. Here are some of my favorite memories. More to come.



















1. 1st Memories of Life Include Grams
One of my earliest memories of life was when I was about three years old. I was in Hawaii on vacation with my family and Grams was with us of course, she came on all our vacations! I don't remember anything about the vacation, except this- sitting on a blanket on the sandy beach with Grams sharing Ritz crackers while the others were near the water.
2. Sleepovers
One of our all time favorite things to do when we were little was to have a sleepover at Grandma's house. She made sleepovers so much fun! She would let us stay up as late as we wanted. She introduced us to classic old movies, like the Sound of Music, my personal favorite. We would watch the Golden Girl's and tell her how she looked just like Rose, the "pretty one". She would let us wear her silky pajamas to bed, and in the morning we would wake up to the smell of Grandma's coffee. We would always find her at the kitchen table in her robe playing a game of solitaire. The sliding door was open to let the cool crisp morning air in. She would then make an amazing breakfast which included hot chocolate with marshmallows on top. The girls would all play house with a beautiful doll that was my Aunt Gayle's when she was a girl. The boys would catch tad poles at the creek.
3. Card Games
Every card game I ever learned was probably from Grandma. We would spend hours upon hours around the kitchen table playing cards. And Grams wouldn't let the kids win either, she was fiesty and got mad when she was losing just like us! Ha.
4. Quilts and Sewing
Grandma has taught me how to sew, although my interest in sewing is a roller coaster with peaks and lows. I have to relearn it often. She has made me a couple of beautiful quilts, one affectionatley known in our house as "the favorite blanket". It was my comforter in college. And Porter also has a beautiful white croched quilt made by "Great Grams".
5. "Oh Bird" and other Lingo
One time we were on a camping trip, and we were all around the table inside the trailer playing cards. I don't remember the story or what brought this on, but Grandma said "oh bird" at something and we all busted up laughing for 10 minutes straight. Grandma is always blurting out the funniest little comments! She'll still bust out the "oh bird" here and there.
6. Puberty
I got my first period while I was staying at Grandma's house. She wasn't so sure what to do, since it had been years since she had to worry about "that kind of thing".
7. Advice
Do you want some? Grams will give you some. Hey, you know the saying "one year older and wiser too?"... I'm listening. I've gotten so much great advice from Grandma. It's because of her that Porter puts himself to sleep each night! I'm sure Jared's grateful for early advice to always keep my legs shaved because my future husband wouldn't want to feel prickly legs. Hehe.
8. Love
I've never wondered if Grandma loved me because she tells me all the time that she does. At least 5 times before we hang up the phone or depart one another's company! But she has shown me endless love not only by word, but by deed. Thank you Grams for always being there for me during every stage of my life, and for making me feel like I was the most important person in the world.
9. Best Friends
When I was 6 years old I had a journal, and inside the cover I wrote my two best friends. One of them was "Grandma".
10. Baptism & Testimony
When I was baptized at 8 years old, Grandma gave me a baptism journal to record my thoughts and feelings on that day. What a wonderful blessing to have this treasure. I am thankful for her part in helping me develop my testimony in my Savior.