Grandma Great

Last week on Oct 21, my grandmother passed away. She was an amazing woman who was constantly smiling or laughing. I can remember sitting on the ground playing with legos and her singing some old tune and dancing around her living room with an imaginary partner. She had a huge influence in many people. She taught piano lessons in her home and was an amazing piano player. One summer when I was maybe 12, I went down to Utah on my own to visit with my grandmothers and my sister at BYU. She taught me rudementary piano and got me the simplified hymns piano book and taught me how to play "We thank the Oh God for a Prophet." Im sure I totally annoyed my family playing it over and over when I got back. Even in that one small moment she has influenced me.

One of the most meaningful stories to me was the story that my uncle shared at the funeral services. Toward the end of her life she was unable to feed herself, so my father and uncle would feed her and help her eat. The tender expressions of love that this shows was very powerful to me. As my uncle was there visiting on one occasion the last week of her life, she asked for a drink of water. She was so thirsty all the time and she said to him, I just think of how thirsty the Savior was, and they gave him vinegar.... and she wept. It was a living example of her testimony of her Savior.

Traveling to the funeral was one of the best experiences I have ever had with my growing up family. I road triped with 4 of my 5 siblings. My other brother met us down there. It was the first time in a long time all of us were together, and the first time ever all the cousins were together. I met my grandmother's sister Mona who was the most darling lady. She talked to me about our great legacy not that we were anything special, but that we all have a part to play in our own little circle of influence. I came away with this experience with a new perspective on my life and the heritage I have. My family is amazing to me with all of their talents and humor and influence for good.

I think it is rare that 5 siblings can spend 72 hours together in a car and still be great friends afterward. I have gained an understanding of who they are as adults. My oldest sister Amy is the leader and we tease her about making all the decisions, but really none of us want to do it. Eric is the avid outdoorsman (He takes the term Pack it out quite literally :) and he has a very strong conviction for what is right. Emily is everyone's favorite and there is no surprise there she is the sweetest and most tender of the sisters. Matt is the most considerate and loving, he was the brother just older than me and I have always looked up to him, more than he will ever know. My younger brother Andrew is so loyal, he is very devoted to those that he loves. I am known as the pig farmer. oh well what can you do?

Although this was a hard experience for me, It was a good one. I believe the most sacred experiences happen within the family. My grandmother got us to be together and share in celebrating her life and influence for good in the world. I will look back to this opportunity with gratidute in my heart, beyond what I could ever express in words. Thank you Grandma Great.