i love you a bushel and a peck!

there are so many qualities that make up a good grandma. i was lucky enough that every one of them were wrapped up in mine! during my life i have made many many fun and unforgetable memories with my grandma. to this day i love waking up to the smell of bacon, a smell that always filled grandma's house in the morning. she never missed a fourth of july parade while i danced my way down the street. and whether she was right or not, i still loved that she thought i was the best dancer out there! i also think my love for shopping stems back to my grandma. i remember shopping at the crossroads mall many times with grandma. we'd get in her green ford escort and she would turn up the 1950's tunes and say "we're off like a dirty shirt!" and that we were. grandma was known for her lead foot, another trait she passed right on down to me! my grandma taught me a love for hymns. she would play at the piano for hours while my childish voice tried to be as beautiful as hers. i remember watching conference with her as a little girl and she would write down all the songs that were sung. open to the page in the hymn book and sing along. the hymns are still my favorite part! they have a way of bringing in the spirit, at least that's what my grandma would say. and she was right! my grandma had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and she took every opportunity to make sure i knew it. grandma, i do.

my grandma passed away on friday. it's been a verry hard week. we all miss her so much. i know that she is better now, healthy and happy now. i know that she knows what mom (her daughter) is doing now and is so proud of her. that makes me feel at peace. my grandma loved God with all her heart and she loved her neighbor as herself. she was full of love, for everyone. she used to sing a song to me that i now sing to bowen, pretty much every day. "i love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.....". i love that song! she never got angry and could find humor in everything around her! she was a perfect example of 'finding joy in the journey!' i will miss her so much.

the funeral was beautiful on tuesday. just how grandma would have wanted it. (minus my mommy.)

james has been such a wonderful support. making sure i cry when i need to and listening to all my memories! grandma loved james so much. as she did everyone (don't tell james, he thinks he's special) and he was honored to be asked to be a pallbearer with all her other grandsons.

funerals are so good at bringing family together. something grandma would love to see, and probably did. all my brothers made it and we were all grateful to be able to lean on each other during this hard time without our mom and dad.

all the pallbearers keeping warm and bowen too!

grandpa is doing ok. i'm sure his feelings are like only those someone who has lost a spouse could understand. grandma and grandpa had been married over 60 years, i can only imagine love that had that much time to grow. we pray for him daily.

we love you grandma, until we meet again....