Grandma Grow

Yesterday, my Grandma Grow passed away. She was 92 (almost 93) years old. She was the best grandma I could ever dream of. Whenever I think of  her, I just feel happy because that is how she always made me feel - loved, important, and happy. And while I know it is such a wonderful thing that she was finally able to pass on to be with my grandpa (he died over 30 years ago), I am really going to miss her. And my heart just hurts knowing I won't be able to go to her funeral. Anyways, I just wanted to share some of my favorite memories of my grandma since I won't be able to be there, and I want to celebrate her wonderful life and legacy she left us.

She was a very talented pianist. I loved hearing her play. Some of my favorite memories at christmas time were singing carols with all the family as she played. She was also very good at encouraging us as we learned to play our musical instruments.

 

Birthday Cards - every year on our birthday, she would send us a card with some money (a dollar for every year). I was alway so excited to get her card! When I was 11, she gave me my card and asked me what I was going to do with the money. I told her I was going to pay my tithing, but that I had to go find 10 cents so I could pay $1.10. she reached in her purse and gave me a dime, then I mentioned that now I would still need to pay a penny. So, she gave me that too! She was good at encouraging us to keep the commandments :)

She was a great cook and hosted many family dinners. I think all of us in the family loved her chocolate chip cookies (nobody made them as good as she did), chicken soup, and breadsticks.

 

Grandma loved to go support "the BYU" at football and basketball games. She and my parents would go to most games. My parents only had 2 extra seats, so we siblings had to take turns who got to go. Luckily, I am the youngest, so by the end, I got to go to almost every game. She was such a gracious fan (never boo'd at the refs), but she loved to cheer for BYU, and would always stand when the fight song came on. A few years ago, BYU stadium started restricting what you could bring into the games (ie, couldn't bring in your own treats). I was shocked when my grandma reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a big bag of Boston baked beans and hot tamales. I asked her if she knew about the rule, and she told me how she thought that was a ridiculous rule and she would bring in whatever treats she wanted :) I may have asked her to sneak in a few treats for me later on, who would suspect an old lady?

I loved hearing stories of grandma's life history. She had such a fascinating life. My favorites were to hear her talk about my grandpa. It was so sweet to hear how much she loved him, even after he had been gone for years, she still smiled every time she talked about him.

At BYU, I took pride in telling everyone that my Grandma Grow was the first woman student body president at BYU! I was always very proud to be her grandaughter, she was such a good example of how to be a strong, valiant woman.

When my Grandma moved to the Jamestown (retirement facility). I enjoyed going to see her. My BYU ward sometimes went to sing for them on Sunday evenings. I never told my grandma when I was coming to sing, but she was always there to support those who came. I was always so happy to see her smile as we sang hymns. And she would always compliment the performances after (even if they weren't very good). She loved encouraging others to keep trying and do their best.

Also, when I would go visit her at the Jamestown, she would remark how there were people around her that had a much more difficult time than her. So even with her limited sight and physical abilities, she would find ways to help others. Whether it was volunteering to play the piano to sing someone happy birthday, make friendly conversation with a lonely person, or help someone more blind than her eat their food, she always found ways to serve. I never heard her complain about her declining health - she would often tell me to take good care of my eyes - but she never complained about her quality of life and always focused on what a great life she had had.

My grandma's short term memory declined in the last few years. Every time Richard and I would go visit, it was like she was meeting him for the first time. She was always so excited to learn that he was from Cardston, and loved to share memories of Grandpa Grow and their visits to Canada. She always took interest in those who came to visit her, even though she had a difficult time remembering them. Even in her old age, I don't really remember any awkward moments when being with her. She was still such a good conversationalist and showed interest in all those around her. Everyone who came into contact with her was a better person for it.

I am so thankful I was blessed to have such a special grandma, and I can't wait for the day when I can be with her again.