Trip to Utah/ Grandma Ginny

We got the call this last Saturday that Fred's Grandma, Grandma Ginny, was probably going to pass away within a couple days. Monday afternoon, Grandma Ginny died at the age of 96. She had suffered from dementia for the past 3-4 years and didn't know who anyone was and lost her independence, her mind, freedom and everyone she loved. She didn't know who anyone was. She passed away weighing only 80 pounds and had forgotten how to even swallow. 

So, we decided since the last time we went to Utah was to visit Grandma (which was about 5 years ago) that we should go for her funeral. Friday morning we drove up. It was rain and/or snow the whole way. The boys did amazingly well. Movies and Angry Birds/ Bad Piggies are amazing. I love technology. We made it in about 11 1/2 hours. We stayed the night and went to the funeral Saturday. Since she wasn't really part of a home ward anymore (she lived in a home and was taken care of by nurses and such) the funeral was at the funeral home and intimate. 

She had written 15 years earlier what she wanted when it came time for a service and such. She stated she didn't want a typical funeral. No viewing, no big to do. So, there was a short history of her given by her son, Steve and my father in law (her other son) and my mother in law sang a song. Then we all shared stories about Grandma and that was that. It was sweet and nice to have very close friends and family there. There was such a loving spirit there. We each received a DVD that was made in 1998 of Grandma Ginny telling her life story on camera. I'm thankful they did that.

Then we went to the burial and dedicated the grave. She had a pink casket- her favorite color. She had neighbors there that had lived next to her for 50 years. She had her old home teacher there which was so precious and made me cry. There were only a handful of them but there they were, sitting, wrinkled, crippled, and yet showing their love and friendship by being there. It was so wonderful. After we went to Sizzler which was her favorite place to eat in the whole world.

 We are very happy for her. We know she is finally free. Grandma had lived through 2 world wars, the financial struggles of the 20's, the Great Depression, divorce, losing a husband and being widowed at 40 something, divorced parents, having an inactive husband, being a single breadwinner for years, and many more things most people will never experience in their lives. Her son Steve had said that Grandma Ginny was like Job from the Old Testament. Like him, she had trial after trial. Then at the end she lost everything. Her mind, her friends, her family, her freedom, her independence. Something she had had all her life. It's what kept her going until the very end. To me, Grandma was exactly like Job. Then he said something that really hit me. He had said, even when he visited her and she didn't know who he was he would always suggest that they pray. Without hesitation, Grandma would always get out of bed, sit on the edge and fold her arms and offer a prayer. He said that even when she had lost everything, she never lost Him nor ever forgot Him. That struck me to my core. What an incredible example of being a righteous daughter of our Heavenly Father.

Grandma Ginny was known as being fiesty and a pistol. She was a firecracker for sure and was one tough cookie. She told you like it was and yet she was so loving and her fiestiness was never toward you. It was just who she was but she treated everyone with love and kindness. I'm so blessed to have known such an incredible woman. I admire her. I will miss her. And her legacy will live on within our family. She lived to see many great grandchildren born and has so many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most knew her and even though my kids won't, I will proudly tell them about her and they will watch the video of her and know how amazing she was. RIP, Grandma. We love you.

This is what we drove in pretty much all the way there...rain or snow.

All of Fred's siblings except Jake. 

This is the first time in YEARS that all these siblings have been together. 

Cousins. There are still 8 missing. 16 were present. There are 24 total in Fred's family.

Playing with cousins. The boys were in heaven!

Chase, Asher, Daddy.

Driving to Utah

I hate the drive to Utah. And... we got a ticket. 

For the record, Fred was driving and I was asleep.

It was freezing while we were there. Literally freezing. On the way home at 5am it was 5 degrees.

 

Even though the drive sucked, it was worth it to go to the funeral and be there for Grandma Ginny.