Tuesday, June 14, 2011

June 14th

I spent the morning at the dentist with the girls.  All looks well with their teeth.  They have several that are ready to fall out and are on strict dentist orders to keep wiggling!  We stopped at Wal-Mart and picked up bubbles for our trip to Manti later this week. 

After getting home, feeding everybody lunch and unloading the car, CJ & Madi went with me to go and visit Grandma Jo.  We stopped at Days on our way and picked up her favorite Yogurt drinks.  She was so sad today.  It broke my heart.  I had a list of things to do a mile long this afternoon, but could not stand to leave her.  So, we took her outside for a walk and to feed the ducks.  We had a great chat in the shade while she told me about every duck in the pond.  I wonder if she really knows them, or if she just makes it up as she goes along.  She told me how the workers there need to get their priorities straight!  It’s kind-of funny coming from her – I reminded her that they are probably doing the best they can, but have been given so much work to do that they cannot possible do it all.  Her next quote was the best, “You would think they could hire some body to help me that isn’t more retarded than I am?”  I asked her to clarify and if I could quote her.  She said, “just go and tell them that the help here is more retarded than JO is – and that’s pretty bad!”
We giggled and she accused us of not taking her seriously.  I gave CJ the "eye" and he got the message.  She then went on to tell CJ that this may be the last time she has to tell him a few things.  She went through a list, obviously prepared in her thoughts for quite a while, of all the things she wants him to remember throughout his life.  How to be a good husband and father, that she expected him to get a good education and to stay active in the gospel.   She shared her testimony with us and her love of the gospel and reminded us how much the gospel blesses her life and ours.  She spoke so clearly today it was almost strange.  She followed the conversation between us perfectly and her speech was like it was 10 years ago. 
I asked her if Grandpa had visited her lately and she told me he was busy and hadn't had time to stop by, but that he was coming back to get her this weekend.  It really freaked CJ out and he asked me on the way home if I thought she was serious.  I told him off course not, but I guess you never know.
UPDATE - It was very strange over the weekend when Grandma's condition deteriorated.  CJ was convinced he should have taken her seriously and that she is really going to go this time.  Only time will tell.  

Monday, June 6, 2011

Grandpa Rex


June 6th

It has been a year since Grandpa Died.  I spent many moments today pondering his influence in my life and the life of my children and other family members.  It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year without him.  Some days it seems just like he has only been gone a few days, and I can just drop by the house and find him with his big old hat on working in the garden.  Then there are days that I worry that I have forgotten exactly what his gruffly voice sounds like or the classic Grandpa Rex smell of herbs mixed with menthol. 

I was looking through photo’s today and there isn’t a single one of Grandpa Rex where he doesn’t have that big smile on his face, with that little BABB evil eye (the one so many of us have) that says I LOVE YOU as he squints with a crooked grin.  I can hear him laugh in my mind as I look at pictures of him teasing the girls and getting such a kick out of them falling for the same old riddles and tricks we all grown to love.

My thoughts were also on Grandma Jo today.  Still here, hanging in there, but so lonely.  I cannot imagine what one year on earth is without your sweetheart.  She has endured so much since his passing and while we never know why we are the one taken, or the one left behind, I know she is still with us because it is part of God’s plan.    She tells me often she feels Grandpa here and I know she is right because I often feel him too.  If there were only one person I could send to heaven to be my angel, knowing that they would watch over us tirelessly, it would have been Grandpa.  There is no doubt that he is watching and helping us in every way that he can.

I love you Grandpa, miss you tons.  I am sure that you are super busy up there, and have many important things to do, but I, but I know that you have made the time to watch over each one of us still here.  I look forward to being with you again.  I am sure that you will have things well under control and are anxious for us to join you when it’s our time.