Grandma

It's about 5:30 am and I couldn't sleep so I decided to write a little bit. Grandma Rose passed away this morning, just a little before 4:00 am. She was 94. It just makes me so grateful for the opportunity I had to stay with her and help take care of her every weekend for a few years. My siblings and most my cousins didn't have that same opportunity that I had to spend so much time with her, and get to know her so it makes me realize how unique and what a great blessing it was for me. I remember my first night staying over there. It was December of 1996. I was at grandma's house with my mom and dad. I don't even remember why, but since my grandpa had passed away that October, grandma didn't like staying home alone in the house all night. Somehow a miscommunication happened, and it turned out that night, there was nobody available to spend the night. I jokingly said to my mom, "I'll stay tonight if you want." and before I knew it, I was handed one of grandma's pink silk nightgowns, given instructions, and was left standing alone in her living room. I was terrified! How on earth could my mother leave her 14 year old daughter alone in a creepy old house with her grandma that she didn't know too well. I remember thinking, what happens if she dies when I'm asleep in the room next door, what do I do? I felt very alone and scared. I think grandma knew how I felt. She showed me where I would be sleeping, made us some soup, and asked me to come and sit on her bed with her to visit. She tried so hard to make me feel at ease and comfortable. I didn't know then that this was to become a weekly ritual with her for the next 4 1/2 or so years. I spent every Saturday night with her from that December after my grandpa died in 96, to the weekend before I left to Ricks College in 2000. There are so many stories I heard from her. I just loved sitting on her bed holding her hand and talking to her. She told me stories of when she was a little girl, things about her mother and father and her siblings. I was supposed to be going there every weekend to take care of her, but she ended up helping me in so many ways. I am defiantly going to miss her. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to get to know her so well and spend so much time with her. With her being the last one of that Hinckley generation, I can't even think of how wonderful a reception she had on the other side. She promised me that she would save a spot for her and I to Rollerblade in heaven. :P I also remember that when I went over one night, grandma had already made the soup. It was split pea soup and I was HORRIFIED! I never would have made pea soup for myself. NASTY! But I didn't want to hurt her feelings, and she had made the soup just for me, so I ate it. And I LOVED it! :p Every time I eat it, I think of her. :) Grandma Rose has a special place in my heart and always will. I'm sure my middle name, Rose, was defiantly an inspired name.