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!