Memories of Grandma

This week is for Grandma Shirley. Recently, my Aunt Linda has been asking for memories of my grandma so she could put them together in a book for her. I thought I would contribute by adding of few of my memories with gram right here on my blog.

           

My sister and I are the youngest grandchildren on my mom’s side so we know grandma in her “older” years. My mom is always telling the most incredible stories of her, and telling us how much she wishes we knew her when she was growing up, with her as her mom. But to me, my grandma has always been one of the most incredible ladies and a huge inspiration to me.

I have lots of little memories that always make me smile when ever I think back to them. Memories that perhaps are only significant to me, but their memories that I think are worth writing down regardless. I remember being five or six when I would stand next to her on a chair in her cute kitchen in Highland, Utah, filled with fake food and modern art, rolling out the most delicious home made rolls. I always rolled mine in little tiny balls so I could feed them to my American girl dolls, who are always dressed in their best clothes sown by grandma. I remember when she would tuck me in bed after a tea party and tickle my arm while she told my stories of Squeaky the mouse. I remember it was during one of those famous tea parties that I was with my older cousin Kenzi, when a garden snake slithered through the sliding glass door that we had left open juuust a crack. What I really remember is that grandma HATES snakes. But before long we gathered together each and every neighborhood kid and soon enough the snake rode home with a brave little girl on her bike…and eventually grandma came back inside. I remember when I would sit down at her beautiful, black, baby grand piano in her St. George house and try my hardest to pound out the notes of Beauty and the Beast. After a few rough run-throughs she would sit down to help me, and then invite my grandpa and my parents to sit on the couch to hear me play and sing along to my newly perfected song. I remember long days and late nights as a little girl spent in grandma’s cozy Bear Lake cabin. Some of my fondest memories are at that beautiful lake. My eighty year old grandma would give me lift down to the lake on her 4-wheeler and as I plunged into the refreshing lake, she would strap a life jacked over her hot pink swim suit so she could “go for little run on the jet ski”. I could go on for hours about that Grandma Shirley and all the moments, big and small, that I have spent with her, but for now, I’ll end with my most favorite memory of my grandma. This is the memory that will remind me to shoot for the stars for the rest of my life.

It was about a year ago. Grandma started going a little more down hill. She was in her assisted living home and we were there for my Grandpa Milts funeral. Her memory had begun to fade and I found it much more difficult to carry on a conversation with her- until I started talking about the stage. Performing is what my grandma and I share. She was a star when she was younger and even when she was a mother. She had the voice of an angel and loved the arts whether she was watching them or participating in them. Just like me. I told her that I had an audition coming up at my school for my very first musical, the same musical that my aunt, who passed away from cancer before I was born, played a main role in when she was in college at BYU. “Grandma” I said, “my school is holding auditions for Bye, Bye Birdie, and I want the lead.” I know it seams silly, but I will never forget the glow in my grandma’s eyes when I told her. After that, we had a topic to talk about for days. She couldn’t stop reminiscing about my Aunt Judy and her own days on the stage. She kept asking me all about the part I wanted and telling me that I was the best little actress and deserved it more then anyone. I just smiled because I knew she was just being a grandma. Leaving grams that visit was really hard. She was alone now with out gramps and I didn’t know how many more visits with her I would get. I hugged her quick and turned around fast to keep from crying. She quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me real close to her as she whispered in my ear- “Go get that part.” A simple statement, maybe meaningless, but something about hearing those words from her hit me. She made me believe in my self because she believed in me. I didn’t want that lead part just for me anymore, I wanted it for her, because she knew how badly I wanted it, and had worked for it. Suddenly I felt like I could do anything I set my mind to because I have people who believe in my and want me to succeed. This might not make sense to any one else reading this, but really, I just wanted to let my grandma know that she helped me realize I can be a star. I know that I deserve the best. And even though my grandma has never been able to see me perform live, every song I sing, dance I dance, or play I perform on stage, I see her right there on the front row, and I will forever. Thank you Grandma Shirley, I love you. 

January 5, 2013.
Karson, Grandma Shirley, and me at our last visit at her assisted living home in St George .
She will be 91 in April! <3

Karson, My mom Loni, me, and  Grams.
We love you Grandma!

A Memory with my Girls

Saturday night I sat alone, by myself, with nothing do. I was desperate to get out of the house, so I opted for a stake dance at my church which stopped being cool, like . . . three years ago. I was skeptical in the first place because I knew my best friend was out of town for wrestling state, and I didn’t think I would find anyone to talk to. Luckily I was able to find my two main freshman girls who I love dearly! As I laughed like I was still fourteen with my cousin Bailey, I reminisced back to a found memory this past summer.

This last summer was a big one. It was the last summer before I head off to college, since I’m starting BYU this up coming summer. Summer 2012 had many “lasts”. My last summer life guarding, my last summer playing night time games around the block with the neighborhood kids, my last summer doing borderline stupid things that make really good stories, and my last girls camp. Girl’s camp is a four day “camping” trip (complete with cabins, indoor plumbing, fresh showers, and kitchen with cooks included) that the young women in our church stake took every year in June. Much like the dance I just attended, girls camp gets more fun each year until you hit age sixteen, then it starts to go slightly down hill. Nevertheless, I was going into my second year being on of the youth camp leaders, I was partnered with my old best friend from sixth grade, and I was determined to make the best of it.

Morgan and I were assigned to be leaders over the third year girls, which would be the freshman girls this year. I was anxious to be a role model for these girls. I wanted them to love me and everything I taught them. Morgan and I planned to the nines, preparing lessons, activities, and of course the cuuutest decorations for our . . . “cabin”. The girls arrived and I tried to be as bubbly as I could be; a couple of times in past years I would get stuck with the “too cool for you” leaders that really put a damper on my experience and I was resolute to make these girls have the best year at camp EVER!

Erika, Lavada, Samantha, Denyse, Nizhoni, Robyn, Gabbie, See Sea, Jadiana, and Bailey. At the beginning of the week some of these names were just names, some I had a few memories with, some I was positive hated me. But one incredible music video, a couple of inspiring lessons, a few songs, and lots of laughs later, we became sisters. Erika is “boisterous” and can put a smile on any ones face. Lavada will make you feel like you have known her forever with her cool, sweet personality. Samantha will melt you with her cute voice and friendly words. Denyse will make your heart happy when she laughs and makes the effort to be a friend to everyone around her. Nizhoni makes you forget all the bad in the world with her mischievous grin and twinkling eyes. Robyn and Gabbie were the best of friend cousins who, unfortunately, had to go home early, but they always had a sweet spirit and were easy to be around. See Sea never fails to make some one laugh out loud with her silly blonde moments, or make you feel good with her generous spirit. Jadiana is the most loveable girl out there; she includes everybody and was helping someone every time I turned around. Bailey has a contagious energy that makes you want to love life and be her best friend. These girls taught me so much more then I could have ever taught them, and they will have a special spot in my heart forever. <3 

My Girls(:

A Memory of Laughter

“If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.” –Robert Frost.

This week was a long week. My mom was sick, I had a horrible, never ending headache, my motivation for school and everything else in life was lost, and the days just seemed to drag on and on. In the middle of it all, my parents, little sister Karson, brother Stratton and his wife Jessica, Jessica’s younger brother Robert, and our family friends, Margaret and Mike McClellan, all piled in to a couple of cars and drove to Flagstaff. We were NAU bound to go watch our favorite comedian, Brian Regan, perform live.

Even though this was my second time seeing Brian, and the first time I had front row seats and backstage passes, this time was just as exciting. My worries of the week were hidden in the giddy laughter my sister and I shared as we anticipated the funny jokes we would soon be encountering. Our anticipation grew as the lights in the auditorium dimmed and they welcomed the opening act comedian. He got the laughter going and the crowd loosened but I was still anxious to get to the main event.

Finally, the opening guy thanked us for coming and then asked us to put our hands together as he welcomed to the stage, Misterrrr Briannnnn Rrrreegaannn! If you don’t know who Brian Regan is, your life is as least ten percent sadder then mine is… because I know Brian Regan. I cried for and hour and a half straight because I was laughing so hard. My cheeks are sore just thinking about it. I’ll remind you again that I have already seen Mr. Regan, and even though this time I was fifth row from the back, it was even better then the first, because he is just THAT funny.

I really did not make this weeks post to be a brag blog. I know you probably don’t care a whole lot about what a great time I had. If I could I would share some of the jokes that brought me and everyone there so much joy, I would. But it is just not the same coming off a computer screen, or coming from me. (Sorry, I’m not that funny) The real reason I wanted to share this memory I made, is because I believe in laughter. When life is hard, or slow, or unfair- laugh. A midst what ever struggles you may be encountering at this point it your life, you should find times to laugh. Whether it is being lucky enough to have tickets to go see your favorite comedian, or being around, or spending time with a group of people you love and enjoy, I hope you can remember to find moments in you life where you can laugh.

Karson and I Anxiously waiting for the show, and making memories all the while! (: