About Grandma :)

Like you, I was born.  And so was my Mom.  Meaning that I have a Grandma---Grandma Julie, to be exact. 

It was her birthday the other day, and I thought I'd share what I wrote about her with you--with a few pictures added for fun. See if you can find any similarities with your Grandma!

Write ten things about Grandma, she says…It’ll be easy, she says…well, let me tell you something: it’s not easy to describe such a woman.  But here be a list anyway.

1.      Grandma’s face is unable to frown. I may have actually seen her face in a non-smiling position before, but I might have been under the influence of Dimetapp or something similar. She is ALWAYS smiling, and her joy is absolutely infectious—on par with the spreading efficacy of the common cold (This is a complimentJ).

2.      Grandma Julie’s laugh. It is so good.

3.      The motorhome, and visiting our house with it. Though our neighbors might disagree, that motorhome was a beloved add-on to our house any time Grandma and Grandpa were able to visit us, and the childrens were always allowed to tour and even ride in it. So great.

4.      I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the pool in Bakersfield.  I learned so many things—diving from the board, how to swim laps (and also positive reinforcement schedules from receiving pieces or entire packs of Extra gum), how to eat hot dogs from out the window (and, by association, how to be a fantastic waiter!), how not to get stung by wasps…I loved that pool, and Grandma was the key fixture in it.

5.      The piano. Grandma’s ability to play—and the sheer joy she experienced from it—motivated and motivates me to continue to practice and expand my craft.  This is a life skill that has forever changed my life, and I owe it largely to her playing, and to her Yamaha piano.

6.      Grandma is funny.  Really funny.  Sometimes it’s on purpose, and sometimes it’s not, but either way, it’s hilarious.

7.      I had never really heard of BYU before I was a teenager, and after learning that my grandparents attended there, I was impressed and felt equally motivated to attend there myself.  This has begun what should culminate in an eventual Master’s degree (in something) from said university, and has provided me with countless opportunities for growth, experience, and future development and joy.  I am infinitely grateful for that.

8.      Enchiladas at Grandma’s house were something of a legend. As well as Costco-bought rolls, with a generous amount of butter.  I remember the family being gathered around the table, and simply remember being happy.

9.      I remember reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible in the living room at the Bakersfield house.  Though I didn’t understand what was said most of the time, I was there, and also felt the desire to read and contribute my part.  That is infinitely precious to me.

10.  Finally, Grandma Julie is a disciple of Jesus Christ.  She lives joyfully, and that is evident of her ability and desire to follow what the Lord would have her do.  Her service as a missionary as well as her constant example of love, respect, generosity, forgiveness, and love again have planted a desire in me to be similar, if not as good.

I love my Grandma Julie.  She is wonderful.  May she know how much she has blessed my life. 

Grandma Julie rocks (and when Grandma Brown's birthday comes around, I'll need to make a list for her, too!). :)

What has your Grandma meant for your life? Who are you today because of her?