10 Things About Grandma Brown

I recently made a post about my Grandma Julie, who is my Mom's mom. Now, it's time for a post about Grandma Brown, my Dad's mom. Happy Birthday, Grandma Brown, and know that I love you! :)

10 things, 10 things...ok, I guess we'll have to start somewhere. Actually, what about 11 things, just for fun? Why not.

From the bottom, moving to the top.

11. The secret stash.

And no, I'm not talking about drugs. Grandma is from Amsterdam, but that's not quite how she rolls.

I'm talking about Sour Gummy Worms.

Every time Grandma came to visit us when we lived in Grandma, she would secretly take us to the store and "help with the grocery shopping", while helping me to get my sugar fix. You could say that she was my first drug dealer. Dealin' worms.

That got carried away. Bottom line: the stash was wonderful.

10. This one is closely tied to #11:  whenever we would go to said store to procure said stash, Grandma would like at me very seriously and say, "Remember: Grandma's loaded." Nothing like having a Grandma like that.

(I really wish I had a picture of her doing this - that could be my birthday present)

9. Grandma Brown's house in Bend was wonderful.  Grandpa's hobby den. All the carpentry tools and leather and everything else. The little bowls of candy. Learning how to play card games like King's Corner and getting frustrated "playing" Monopoly. Watching Thundercats with Ali (which was forbidden, since it was Cartoon Network). Going in the spa, or the snow, or both. It was wonderful.

I imagine her house something like this, covered in snow. Also, Grandma loves Thomas Kinkaide paintings.

8. Grandma Brown is an immigrant from Amsterdam, and as strong a woman I have ever known. I have heard some of her stories and they have inspired me to try and do great things. She has fought and fought throughout her life to do what is right, to live vigorously, and well. I am proud of my Dutch heritage, and have tried to be a good schaat for her. :)

7-6. The first job I ever got fired from (and I'm sad to say that there have been others) was being my Grandma's gardener. She didn't tolerate low professionalism, even from her foolish teenage grandson, still learning what hard work was. She fired me because I didn't show up or didn't do a good enough job, and I deserved it. And then she gave enough me another chance, and treated me like a king when I had learned. I always had a water bottle and good conversation waiting for me when I had finished, as well as a sense of accomplishment which has permanently affected my life.

Number 6 is what happened a few summers ago as a result of that. After my mission, I worked as an EFY counselor (I LOVED it! It really changed my life!), and I got to spend some time in my hometown, living with Grandma and Lala! I wondered what it would be like to live with Grandma, remembering that I had been her gardener, and that I was fired; I wondered if I would be able to hack it this time.

So, as I had a few weeks before the next session started, I assembled what ingenuity I could and (with some help from Grandma) I started doing odd jobs for people in the ward. Pressure-washing trailers. Painting houses. Mowing lawns. Painting garages. Gardening work. Removing flooring. And people were so generous - with both the giving the work and the compensation. It was then, after each day of hard physical labor, that I  would come home, sweaty and dirty, that Grandma would greet me with a proud smile, glass of something cool to drink, and the subtle temptation of something delicious in the fridge that was waiting after my shower. I realized that I had come full circle - from indolent teenager, to "accomplished" 20-something - and that I had my Grandma to thank for that. Truly a wonderful experience in my life. :)

5. Grandma Brown...is a real, better version of Mrs. Doubtfire. I'm not sure what her reaction will be to this, but man, knowing her, it will probably be laughter. How appropriate.

4. Grandma Brown was the ward chorister for most of my young life, and is easily the best I've ever known. While Brandon, Ali, or I were accompanying the congregation on the organ, she would be singing at 100% volume, singing with zeal and mucho gusto.

The only problem with this was that, if we were not also playing and singing with mucho gusto, then we would get "the look". Even if you don't know her, I think that you're probably familiar with this look - it says, "You're digging your own grave, boy." So I would try to sing and play, which has led to several decent talent show performances. Thanks for "the look", and the mucho gusto, Grandma.

(no pictures do this justice - just imagine it, please)

3. Grandma Brown is hilarious. She always finds filthy swears in Boggle and Scrabble, and pretends like it's a perfectly innocent question to see if it's all right to use them to get a triple word score. She is the queen of making crazy, happy sounds ("Woohoo!", "Yoohoo!", etc.). She has dance moves that you've never seen. And she's still the Grandma. Or, better yet, that's what makes her the Grandma. 

2. Grandma is balanced in her life - always stable. My Mom and I were talking about it the other day. She always focuses on what is most important, right now:  studying the scriptures, exercising, eating healthily (and deliciously), maintaining a clean and wonderful home, relaxing after the work is done, working on talents like music....the list goes on, alphabetized, and has a box with a label on it. I LOVE this attribute in my Grandma and hope to be mentioned in the same conversation of good balance in the future. She is a wonderful example of how to live life. 

1. Most importantly, my Grandma Brown - Arendina Johanna Maria Lammers Brown - has her hands firmly attached, impossible to remove, from the Lord Jesus Christ and the Iron Rod of His Gospel. She has always been an example of belief becoming action as she magnifies her calling and gives us good examples of how to live. She serves, and doesn't make much of it. She loves, and makes it seem natural - because it is. She smiles because she is happy, and she really is. She knows how to find peace, and it shows in her face. 

I know that my Grandma knows the Savior very well. I love my Grandma, and I love my Savior. I know that we will be able to live with Him someday. 

Just remember - live like Grandma Brown, and you will never have regrets. Your life will be happy. It will be full of joy, action, laughter, meaningful conversation, and small smiles that cross your face as your eyes close. 

Thanks for being alive, Grandma. :) I think it's ok to include this picture again.