The Sentimental Side

Having some time away and visiting family has made me realize how precious life is and just how fast it goes. My grandmother passed away on April 10 after battling for several years with Alzheimer's and other health issues. The years pass so quickly and I have been very blessed to have the family that I do. The relationships made there are really what's it all about. I need to be better about working on those and worrying less about the day-to-day things that I can't even recall a year or even a day later. While we were back east, I loved spending time with my parents and my own kids without having to worry about what the house looked like, whether clothes were clean and what's for dinner. When you are traveling, it just doesn't matter and it was nice for the break to really just enjoy being.

We were able to have the services in the ward where I attended church growing up and it was wonderful to see all the old friends. They have had such an impact on my life and I do miss them still. Many attended my grandmother's funeral and it made me realize how kind and loving these old friend truly are. What a great blessing to grow up where I did.

It seems a little strange and sad to me to have my grandparents gone now but I know that I got to have them longer than most. My grandmother was a very kind and generous person and I will always be grateful for the love and lessons she taught me. I spent many weekends with her when she lived in Utah and I was at BYU and we had some good times. She always got a rotisserie chicken from Albertson's when I came and we often went to Marie Callendar's for pie. I am so glad that she is now with her family and reunited with her mother who passed away when my grandmother was 14 years old. She is buried in an old church cemetary in Malvern with her parents and the landscape is beautiful and peaceful. It looks just like a resting place should look.

So, there are my thoughts. In a nutshell I just need to do better with the things that really matter.