Happy Birthday Grandma!! I sure miss you and the times that we had together! The day that grandma died I lost a dear friend. Someone who cared deeply about me as a person and one who I could really have a heart to heart with. I am thankful for the friendship we shared, especially in the later years of her life.
Grandma Ann was the epitome of class!!! She was always dressed to the nines no matter where she was going. Her home was always presentable and she made sure that things were always nice, even if it was just a store bought cookie it was on a nice plate. I have so many fond memories of grandma. She loved music---she was a wonderful pianist and violinist. She could sing beautiful as well. Even in her advancing years she played the piano, most songs were memorized and she played with such feeling you knew her talents were being used to bless other peoples lives. I enjoyed hearing her play the violin when she did. And to this day when I hear any violin music it reminds me of her. I love the painting that I have in my home, a violin and rose. Grandpa painted it for Grandma but I was fortunate to get it. It reminds me of both of them and the love that they shared. And her love for music.
She was wonderful at remembering birthdays!! She sent a handwritten card to each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren for their birthdays. Even when it was difficult for her to write she did it. This showed her deep love for her family and those cards are some of my most prized possessions. I just wish I would have realized sooner in my life what they would mean to me and kept more than I did. She remembered names so well. I recall one Christmas that she was not doing well and I went to her place to help her organize the gifts for the family. She knew who belonged to who and what she had gotten for all of them. I felt honored to help her in her task and to learn from her vast knowledge of her large family.
She was always such a gracious hostess. Always had treats on hand and insisted that you have something, even if you were stuffed to the gills!! When she moved to the assisted living center this did not stop. She had treats stashed in her room and was always willing to treat you to lunch or dinner if you wanted to join her. She made friends so easily in her place and it was no surprise that when the other residents asked who you were visiting they all knew who she was.
I had the good fortune of working close by her homes most of my life. It was always a treat to stop by frequently and say hello on a lunch hour. I always came away feeling like I was worth a million bucks!! No matter the situation whenever I visited her she treated me special. And I knew I was loved! I recall one time I visited her in the hospital...she wasn't doing well at all. And the entire time she asked me about me and how I was doing. And apologized for her appearance and that she wasn't too gracious of a hostess!! She never disappointed in anything!! She taught me the importance of showing thanks for what you get. She always sent a thank you note for gifts she was given.
She was a regular writer to me on my mission. It was neat to have her share some of her own mission stories and give me advice and support while I served. While I was growing up I helped Grandpa in the yard but Grandma always had a nice lunch prepared for us and could come up with a job or two if our work was done outside. She made simple meals but they were yummy!! My favorite is her tuna on Great Harvest wheat bread. I still love it to this day!!!
Grandma was a woman of great Faith. I loved having a gospel discussion with her. She always put things in such a great perspective. Whenever things weren't going well for me I made sure that I visited grandma because she was the spiritual boost that I so often needed. She knew the plan and believed it!!! She served faithfully in her church callings till the end. What an example she was!!!
Happy Birthday Grandma!!! May you know of my love and appreciation for you and your continued influence on my life.
Happy Birthday Audrie Maebh!!! She has been a blessing in my life from day one!! She was born on one great grandmas birthday and named after the other. And thankfully she has traits of both of them!! Love and spitfire!!
I love being around Audrie and being her aunt. She has been a doll to me and I can feel of her love so often. If I could take her for my own I would!!! Many times all I need is a hug from her and life is so much better! She is constantly asking me if she can come to my house and play or spend the night. I love that she loves to come! And that she knows just where everything is....especially the treats! She knows just when I need her!! I have been blessed many times by her just giving me a hug or telling me she loves me! I love talking to her on the phone...she laughs and tells you like it is! I have enjoyed living close to her and being able to just stop by and see her when I need to.
She loves people so much. She is constantly giving her little sister loves, I know that at times this is frustrating for her mother but it just goes to show how much she really does love people!She will continue to be a great older sister! One of my favorite things is to hear her sing Happy Birthday! I keep her message on my phone and listen to it often just to be reminded of her. She loves music and sings to most any song. She remembers lyrics so well! Many times she sings a song that she has only heard once and she sings it better than someone who has heard it many times.
She says the cutest things all the time. Sometimes you wonder where she is getting it! She is super smart---she has done really well in learning her alphabet, she knows most all of her letters and can tell you things that start with all of those letters. She loves to read books as well. You can't get away with just reading one to her you have to read the whole stack!! She also loves to read the "Book of Morning" as she calls it and hauls her copy around the house with her.
I love her motherly nature. She cares about other kids and people around her, I have felt this in my own life! When we talk she expresses love for me! I also love hearing her say "I love you" it just makes my heart melt! She is a wonderful blessing in our family. She is supposed to be here in this family and I know that for a fact....she couldn't be anywhere else!
She makes friends easily, just like her grandpa. EVERYONE in her ward loves her and she cares about so many others. She just has a personality that people love! She tells her mom often that she should take someone something and that just continues to show her deep love for others!
Audrie I love you tons and am thankful that I have the chance to be your aunt and friend. And learn from you! Have a Happy Birthday!!! You deserve it!! May the coming year be filled with lots of fun, especially as you start preschool!!!
2 comments:
what a wonderful post Rach.
Thanks for the post! You nailed them both on the head! We love you too and are glad you take such good care of us!
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