Grandma's funeral

My Grandma on my Dad's side passed away in March. I've been trying to figure out how to blog about it and not miss anything. We lived about 30 minutes away from her growing up, and she taught almost all ten of us kids to play the piano. That meant roughly 45 minutes of quality, uninterrupted one-on-one time with her each week for about ten years of my life. Plus all the other Sunday afternoon visits, sing-alongs at Christmas time, hugs, kisses, laughs (so many laughs) . . . You can't blog that! You can't forget it either, so I've decided it's okay that I can't blog it.

So just a few things to sum her up. First, I have searched my memories, and have discovered that I don't have a single one of her that is negative. Sure there were plenty during my awkward growing up years that where my behavior is cringe-worthy, but she was just sunshine and nurture and safety for me. 

She had a great sense of humor and could tell a story like nobody else I've ever met. It could be a story about her formative years in Wheeling, West Virginia, or a run-of-the-mill trip to the Winn Dixie. It didn't matter. She was fascinating to listen to. Our piano lessons always meandered. We got the work done, and did it well, but there was a lot of talk mixed in there, too. I don't remember how we'd ever get on the subject, but she'd talk about Heavenly Father and Mother, creation, her childhood, just so many wonderful stories that have stuck in my brain all these years later! And she was smart and just full of life - always a twinkle in her eye and a dimple in her cheek when she smiled.

I'll forever be indebted to her for the gift of the gospel in my life, and for the gift of music. She was a stalwart member of the church, and joined with her husband and children when my dad was 14. And she was such an excellent piano teacher. She made the music a full-body and full-mind experience, from Merrily We Roll Along to Beethoven's piano sonatas.

So many memories. 

It was a huge blessing to be able to fly to Georgia for her funeral. Not only did I get to see my parents and all my siblings, but I reconnected with aunts and uncles and cousins that I haven't seen in years. It was awesome and empowering to be reminded of who I am and where I come from. In my current life stage and location, it's easy for me to forget that I was somebody before I was a wife and a mom and a Utahn. I've got such a great family. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Flying into Denver

The funeral was lovely. Not too long, and full of loved ones wearing bright, happy colors, just like Grandma had wanted. Dad gave the eulogy and we all laughed and cried, and Aunt Jenny gave the most beautiful prayer. There was, of course, beautiful music. The most emotional part came during the closing song, which Grandma had chosen herself. 

May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You

by Meredith Willson

May the good Lord bless an' keep you,

Whether near or far away.

May you find that long awaited,

golden day today . . .

May your troubles all be small ones,

And your fortune ten times ten,

May the good Lord bless and keep you,

'Till we meet again . . .

May you walk with sunlight shining,

An' a blue bird in every tree.

May there be a silver lining,

Back of every cloud you see . . .

Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows,

Never mind what might have been.

May the good Lord bless an' keep you,

'Till we meet again . . .

May the good Lord bless an' keep you,

'Till we meet, 'till we meet again . . .

Singing and hearing those words it was like they were coming straight from Grandma. Just the way she would've said them.

Probably the most beautiful and touching Southern tradition I know. Showing respect for those in mourning. This was while we drove in the procession to the cemetery.

My Aunt Mary Lou works for a flower company. All the arrangements were beautiful!

Uncle Eddie, Aunt Mary Lou, Aunt Kathy, Dad, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Chester. That's Dad and all his siblings except for Aunt Susan. These guys are all so sweet - quick with a kiss and a word of encouragement. And so, so funny.

My whole family except for Jenna, who was overdue with a baby! L-R Megan, me, Kaylyn, Amber, Mom, Dad, Rebecca, Ryan, Brianna, Shauna, Russell. We didn't get any pictures where we were standing normally.

I wanted to have some pictures to remember Grandma's house - so many wonderful memories there!

The camellias were in bloom. Perfect timing.

We snuck over to grab Aunt Susan for the luncheon at Grandma's house. She lives just a couple doors down.

Aunt Susan and Aunt Jenny.

All seven of the siblings.

The backyard.

We would have so much fun on the porch while we waited for siblings during piano lessons! We'd play pirate ship and "dust" the porch.

And Grandma's pretties. Music boxes and bells and pianos. So many lovely treasures that I remember from my childhood. She'd always let us wind up all the music boxes and take her special things down and play with them. I remember sitting on her knee with my older sister, Amber, when we were very small. She'd put perfume from her glass birds on our wrists and necks and let us choose one of her sample Avon lipsticks to wear.

My cousin Karen gathered these pictures from the extended family and put them next to Grandma's bed during her last few weeks.

Later that night, we piled into the car to visit Jenna and Preston.

We had a great time hanging out with them. Their little house is adorable! She definitely has turned it into a home. And now they have a bouncing baby boy!

There was time for goofing around and gabbing and something like three Dairy Queen runs.

The following day, we all headed over to Grandma's house to help organize and clean. It was a fun time, and we got a lot done. Grandma spent some time as choir director for her ward, and Bri thought I should find a way to take this sign home with me and use it, since I have that calling frequently.

A poem that my parents wrote for Grandma when she retired from teaching piano after lots of years.

Amber and Judy, another cousin, found these treasures! Grandma's Avon lipstick samples! We had to bust them open and give them a good sniff. They smelled like lovely afternoons on Grandma's lap.

One other treasure that I came across was Grandma's family bible. In her quad she'd written all the births, deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, and other important family events, in true southern fashion. I snapped pictures of all of it and am excited to sort through it and organize it all.