It was May 2000, when I first realized how important my Grandma was to my mother. Gabe and I wanted to get married on a certain date that conflicted with some things my mom was doing. I overheard my mom talking about it to someone on the phone. I ran through people in my head was it a sister, friend, one of my older siblings? I soon figured it out. She was talking to her mom. I know I should have been minding my own business, but I was struck by how my mom was talking to her. She was talking to her as a friend. I think it was the first time I realized the role mothers play, and how they care about us, no matter what our age. Maybe this memory is more about my own mom and thinking about her feelings of losing her mom, but I keep reflecting on it.
I loved Grandma Gibby. When I was endowed in the temple she was the temple worker who helped me throughout. Later, I lived near her when Gabe and I got married. We attended the same ward. I got to hear stories about her from her neighbors. I got to sit by her at church. She saw me with my first 2 babies. I can see clearly a stuffed animal frog she gave me for Jacob and a blue train outfit for Samuel.
A couple of times, after I moved, she asked me to clean her house for her. She was recovering from knee surgery and I was more than happy to help her out. It turned out that she intended to help me. She gave me money for cleaning, way more than I was worth. That money was sorely needed.
She took an interest in my kids. Here she is holding my 5th:
I liked borrowing books from her. She recommended many to me over the last 10 years.
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June. Here we are with her in July:
Good Thing #1 was asking me if there was a snapshot he could have of grandma so he could remember her. I'm glad I have this one for him. It was this day that she gave a compliment that I treasure. She told me I was doing great with my children. I felt her love and was buoyed up.
This is my family with grandma later in July.
And, this one from August. My mom brought her to the park to chat and watch the kiddos play.
She continually got worse throughout September and October, with bone breaks and other injuries. The last time I saw her in November it was so sad. She looked so so different from herself.
Grandma didn't have an easy adult life. She had two husbands that were not too good. She was left to support her children on her own. It makes my complaints pretty petty as I consider that though times are tough here at times, I've never had to leave my children to work. What was great about grandma though is that she was good at listening. She could have easily told me, "Emily you have no idea what hard is." She didn't though. She just did the best she could with what life dealt her. I really admire her for that.
This is a blanket grandma made for me when I was a little girl:
This blanket grandma gave to us earlier this year. Good Thing #4 prefers it over any others in our home. She knows it is the blanket that Grandma Gibby made.
I am really grateful for the good associations I have. I'm lucky to come from a good family. I have lots of cousins, lots of siblings, lots of good examples and friends. I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and have no doubt that Grandma knew him here and knows him where she is now.
2 comments:
What a beautiful post about your Grandmother. She sounded amazing. I'm sorry you had to lose her.
That was very touching Emily. Thanks for posting that. I still have my blanket that Grandma made me. I use it every night.
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