I've been thinking about her a lot lately. Grandma was more like a mom to me in so many ways. I've missed her terribly at all of the major milestones of my life, even though I receive so many confirmations that she is there. I miss her. She would have loved Paul and adored James. I know she would have doted over him and I'm sad that he doesn't have that like I did.
As I get older I realize how much I am like her. I remember she used to try to teach me valuable homemaking skills that I really took for granted at the time. She taught me how to make special family recipes and the basics of sewing machines. She would use every cleaning opportunity to try to teach me how to clean house. At the time I thought that this was really annoying, but am grateful that I know how to get any stain out of everything and have good organizational sense.
Grandma had a grand total of 4 cassette tapes and listened to them year round. Andy Williams Christmas, Barbra Streisand Christmas, the 3 Tenors and a Motab tape. As I was putting together my Christmas playlist I made sure to include those songs that I listened to so many times (and made fun of her for :)).
Grandma was a clean freak. I can't say that I ever was as a teen. I was a slob. It bothered her and she would always tell me that that was no way to get a husband. As I've grown up and have a place of my own I take pride in cleanliness. Sometimes I'm even a little anal about it. I'm sure Grandma would be proud.
When Paul and were picking a date to get married, the only day that worked was May 19th. After a few days I started thinking...Grandma and Grandpa were married in May. So I looked it up, and sure enough, they were married in the Salt Lake temple on May 19th, 1941-- 66 years to the day before I was married in the same place. During our sealing it was made clear to us that she was there. My dad and I were so overwhelmed by this that we both started bawling....I hope Paul didn't think it was about him :)
James was born on what would have been Grandpa Willardson's 90th birthday. I feel so close to them being able to share these seemingly coincidental experiences.
Some Random Memories:
- We used to make butterfly magnets from soda bottles and sell them at swap meets.
- She would gather up all the cans and bottles and we'd go recycling and then spend the money on something fun.
- She liked to go to the movies, but never stayed awake.
- We went to the mall at least once a week.
- She always made sure I had nice clothes to wear to dances and loved hearing every boring little detail of my day.
- Grandma always encouraged me to get a good education and was always supportive of the decisions I made of what I would study and learn. When I expressed interest in going to BYU, Grandma wasn't enthusiastic about me moving away. Despite her not wanting me to move, she gladly paid the application fee and took me shopping to get me set up for moving out.
- She started up a wedding fund for me when I was 19. When I got married, my dad used that money to purchase my wedding dress.
- We used to go on random "adventures" when we were bored (which was often living out in the sticks).
- Every Friday Grandma got her hair done. She would always buy me lunch for taking her.
- Grandma provided me with opportunities to earn money and learn the value of work. I never did like washing all the windows before Thanksgiving though.
- Every time I drink a Snapple I think of Grandma.
- When Grandma would say something funny she would say it at least twice for maximum laughs.
She was an awesome lady and love and miss her dearly. I am grateful for eternal families and the knowledge I have that when life gets rough, Grandma is still there for me.
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| Me and Grandma. I got to rock James in this chair. |
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| At my graduation from MSJC in 2005. |
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| The day I left for school. Grandma passed away the next day. |
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