*Journeying*: For My Grandmother

My College Graduation. One of my biggest supporters!

I’m Jill, Jean’s granddaughter. From the time I was a little girl I would write my Grandma poems and stories; she always loved it. As an adult, she often encouraged me to write a children’s book, which I have yet to do. If that ever occurs rest assured the dedication in the front cover will read “For my precious Grandma who always believed in me and encouraged me to write”. For the time being, I thought she would like it if I wrote something for her. I have written her a letter that I would like to share with you. Though no words could adequately sum up her life, I hope to express a little bit of what she means to me.

Grandma,

You went to be with the Lord on Christmas Eve Day. It only seems fitting that someone so special would also go home on such a special day.

Each of us has our own memories of you, but a constant thread runs through them all. Your love, your radiance, your faith, your strength, your style and grace, your spunk permeates all the stories we hold dear. To know you was to love you. Everyone who knew you would agree that when Jeanie walked into a room it was instantly a little bit brighter. In the words of a friend who recently learned of your passing, “You are simply a delight.”

You have loved me and been a constant in my life for thirty-one years. It would be impossible to relay all the memories and moments we’ve made together, however I would like to share a few of my favorite stories. Not too long ago I came up to Idaho Falls to visit you and Richard. You both took me to lunch at Dixie's Diner and then Richard left us to the mall, as was our usual routine. After several stores, lots of gab and hours of shopping, I was worn out. I thought for sure you would be ready to go home. Instead, you suggested we stop for a quick pick me up at Starbucks and then resume our shopping. I really think the phrase “shop ‘til you drop” was modeled after you!

It wasn’t very often I saw you without your jewelry, lipstick and painted nails. You have always been an elegant, classy woman, a lady through and through. So much so you would occasionally comment on your grandchildren’s lack of refinement. I remember a specific incident of this. We were celebrating your 75^th birthday at a cabin near Glacier National Park that the entire family rented together. We spent the days playing in the lake, soaking in the hot tub, eating, laughing and playing cards. In your honor, we even put on a skit and sang you songs, including what we dubbed as your theme song: “Here Comes the Queen”. One morning, however, all us grandkids were enjoying a lazy day, lounging around in our pajamas until after 1 pm. You were appalled that anyone would possibly stay in their p.j.s until that hour of the day and you were certainly not shy about letting us know how you felt (as was usually the case). We just smiled at you and carried on as you shook your head in friendly disapproval.

Grandma, you were not one to sit by and watch life. You were an active participant in all it’s going ons! I have an image of you in my head, dancing your heart out at your grandson David’s wedding in Spokane. Though many chose to sit that dance out, there you were, cutting a rug with Harry (David’s Grandpa) at 70 years of age. What a sight you were! And this was not just a one-time event; this was how you consistently chose to live your life. If you need further proof of this let me remind that you found love again and were married to a wonderful man at the mature age of 77. You were always seeking new adventures.

I could go on Grandma, but I’m sure you have much better things to do now that you are in heaven. Let me conclude by saying that your life has deeply impacted who I am. If this is true of me, know that is also true of all others who have been blessed enough to know you, and especially those of us who are privileged to call you family. My life is fraught with memories of sleepovers at your home as a child, playing Yahtzee and cards for hours, arguing over the rules of Rummikub at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, listening to you tell stories of when I was just a little girl or “Chatterbox” (as you called me), shopping trips, lunch dates, phone calls, seeing your beaming face at any and every special event of my life, listening to stories of your youth, birthday cards, holidays spent together, and just simply knowing you were always there for me, always loving me. And these are only my memories; you will live on in these remembrances of mine and in those of the rest of us who loved you. To say that we are thankful and blessed that God gave us the gift of you for all these years is an understatement. On Christmas Eve day this World lost a special gift, but a heavenly World gained a precious new saint. I cannot wait until I see you again.

All my love,

Jill