I mentioned going to visit her before Christmas and I'm really glad we could. We usually saw her on our trips to Colorado, but I was able to sit by her bed and tell her how much I love her and thank her for being a great grandma. One of my fondest childhood memories is the week I spent at her home in California when I was about 10 or 11. It was just Betty, Darrel and me and they made sure I had a lot of fun. We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, swam in their backyard pool and my grandma introduced me to the art of Fimo clay. It was one of the funnest times I had as a kid. She could be outspoken at times but was always kind to me.
There are some things about Betty that never changed. Her hair was always the same. Her voice. The glasses they used for the past 30 years. (the ones with bumpy sides) Her love of animals. She always had a few dogs and cats and they always managed to choose great pets. Tasty snacks. Strong hugs and kisses on the cheek. When we were younger we couldn't call her grandma, because it made her feel old, :) but once she had great grand babies she was ready for the title. Most of her great grand kids called her GG. (My kids copied my use of Betty but added the Great Grandma before.)
My mom was adopted by Betty and my Grandpa Bodh when she was really young. They were older when they adopted her and loved her very much. My grandma's passing has been really hard on my mom. She and her mom were really close and talked all the time. My grandma moved to Utah from California to be close to my mom and then followed her to Colorado when they moved there.
Here is a picture we took with Betty when the kids were young. It's times like these I wish I would have taken my camera out more. We visited her in latter years but I didn't take pictures.
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| June 2008 |
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| May 2010 (seven months pregnant) |
* After I visited Betty I thought about all the loss in Mike and my families since we've been married. A few years ago a friend commented on the number of funerals Sarah had been to and that number has climbed. On his side we've lost both his grandmas, a grandpa, two uncles and his younger brother. On my side we've lost my paternal grandparents, my maternal grandparents, my biological father's dad, and our little Erik. It seems like a lot. Some went before their time and even those that didn't are missed by those left behind. This is always one of those times I am grateful to know there is a heaven where we can be reunited with our loved ones.
