Remembering Grandma

Celebrating the life of a loved one is always a joyous/bitter sweet occasion.  That is how it should be at funerals.  For we have such a blessing as Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that families are forever and that the death of our mortal bodies is not a permanent thing. 

For me personally, I have never been comfortable at funerals, especially the viewing.  It was very hard for me as alittle girl when my Grandma passed away when I was only 9.  In fact, I didn't cry at her funeral, not until several days later when it finally sunk in that my favorite person was gone.  I also wasn't a member then.  At my Grandpa's funeral, I still could barely bring myself to look at him at the viewing.  It is extremely uncomfortable for me to do so.  I think in some ways I just want to remember them in a different way.

Grandma Ethel's service was a beautiful one.  So many of the family and friends were there to celebrate her life and remember the wonderful things that we love about her.  Each family was represented by a grandchild to talk about some of their favorite memories of her.  It was so wonderful to hear things that we all knew very well of her and to learn somethings we didn't know.  Sondra represented the Jerry Stevens family.  It was so beautiful the way she expressed the memories of the family.  She only had 8 minutes to share which could have taken 3 hours and would have loved to hear all of the memories.

But the things that were in common amongst all the family were: How much Grandma and Grandpa love one another and were always together, how much they love family and how much the Gospel means to them.  I only hope to be able to emmulate alot of Grandma's characteristics and her loyalty and dedication.  We will always remember her and will honor her with our actions and words.