Just as I was putting my bag into my closet at school on December 11th, my phone rang. It was Julie telling me that our mother-in-law had passed away in her sleep. My first thought was concern that none of the family was with her when she passed, my second thought was that she didn't even know Melanie was engaged, and my third thought filled me with peaceful excitement, "Now Grandma can be at the wedding!"
I keep thinking of the timing--If Julie had called 1 minute later, I would not have noticed the call until after school. The next day was a snow day, which gave me time to get my grading finished and complete progress reports. We changed our tickets to Utah (which also extended our Christmas vacation) and saved about $200! Surely, grandma's passing at this time seems like she gave us a special gift of additional time to be together.
The viewing was December 18 and the funeral was the 19th. Although both events were small, attended primarily by family, they were filled with peace and enabled us to grieve as we each needed. It was especially ironic to learn that April is expecting again...death and birth...sadness and happiness...youth and old age...life is full of opposites that balance us.
I keep thinking of the timing--If Julie had called 1 minute later, I would not have noticed the call until after school. The next day was a snow day, which gave me time to get my grading finished and complete progress reports. We changed our tickets to Utah (which also extended our Christmas vacation) and saved about $200! Surely, grandma's passing at this time seems like she gave us a special gift of additional time to be together.
The viewing was December 18 and the funeral was the 19th. Although both events were small, attended primarily by family, they were filled with peace and enabled us to grieve as we each needed. It was especially ironic to learn that April is expecting again...death and birth...sadness and happiness...youth and old age...life is full of opposites that balance us.
As we arrived at the funeral home Friday morning for the funeral, we met Elder Kikuchi as he was preparing to leave. He had just come to pay his respects and left. Our family gathered for about an half an hour before the funeral. We were surprised as Elder and Sis. Perry arrived, and we enjoyed some casual conversation with them prior to the funeral. John, Jim and I spoke, as did Uncle Bob and Elder Perry. Afterward, we traveled to the cemetery in a blizzard with several inches of snow on the ground., commenting along the way about how Grandma never liked snow! Seeing her sons and grandsons act as pallbearers touched my heart and reverence permeated the storm. While everyone hurried back to their cars, after the dedication of the grave, our family paused for a picture together. One last time to be with Grandma who had blessed our lives with so much.
A delicious dinner awaited us at Jim and Julie's. Afterward we divided up some of Grandma's jewelry (mostly necklaces and earrings and cufflinks for the guys), so everyone could have some keepsakes.
Melanie's Bridal Shower--December 22
The weather promised a big storm, but fortunately, it wasn't as bad as expected and our dedicated family and friends braved the snow to shower Melanie with gifts. Julie and girls, Sue Hales and her daughter, Emily; Krista, Melanie's former roommate; Kim Gilland, my former roommate; Lindsay Fredette Peterson; and Tara Miner Howard. Of course, Kim and April were there. Tara said she'd go to St. George to be with a friend from New York! April was a fantastic hostess as always. It was a delightful time.
Christmas Eve
Everyone was present at Trevor and April's for our first and probably last Turduchen dinner. All the excitement left some of us a little disappointed, but the dinner as a whole was awesome! After dinner, the grandkids had their first nativity play, then most of the family went around the neighborhood looking at lights and delivering our special Christmas Trees--thanks to Kim and Chris.
Christmas Day
It was a joyous day as it always is. Presents galore, grateful hearts, excited children, piles of paper. For me, the highlight was giving the temple crystal necklaces to Melanie, Kim and April. As she began to open the box, Kim exclaimed, "Oh, these are the crystals that were in your jewelry drawer!" They reverently read the letter and essay as tender tears welled and heart swelled. Each of them seemed truly grateful for what I had hoped would be a most meaningful gift...and it was!
Gumbo at Grandma's
The day after Christmas, we trekked to Logan for a visit with Grandma Shirk. She had planned her special Gumbo. We met at Larry's for the wonderful dinner. Stuart and Melanie left for San Diego the next morning, Trevor and family left in the afternoon, and John and I stayed for a couple quiet days with my mom.
Kim's Birthday
Monday, Dec. 29 was Kim's 23rd birthday. (Can my baby really be 23?) It seems almost a tradition to go to a movie for her birthday--This year it was Benjamin Button. Jim, Julie and family joined us. Afterwards, they left and we went to Red Robin for dinner, then on the Kim's house where Chris surprised Kim with 8-layer cake!
Florida
John and I left the next morning for Vero Beach. The 70 degree weather was a real treat after all the snow and cold weather of the north, even though it was too cold to go into the water. Fortunately, we discovered the element in the water heater had burned out before our renter came! John is quite the handy man! But he needs to be a little more careful about clearing the cattails--some bug bit his legs--itchy, itchy.
