Today is the day that my beautiful angel grandmother passed away.
I have this picture of her hanging in my hall.
It made such an impact on me every time I passed it today, and it was in a different way each time. Her radiant face. Her sweet dimple and soft skin. Her posture and poise. Her clean and simple yet elegant style. Her deep brown eyes, full of humble wisdom that remained the same until my very last visit with her.
I wish there were a bigger word than gratitude to describe my feelings about being her granddaughter. I know that I am blessed, even beyond my own comprehension in this life and into the eternities to be tied to her celestial being.
I want to always remember:
The way she bent down to be on my eye level when I was young. She would put her hands on her knees, with her back arched a little bit and really look into my eyes. I knew she was listening with no distractions.
The way she read books to me.
How she showed me her jewelry in her silky jewelry bag. and taught me what an opal was. Her opal ring was my favorite.
The way she put her hand on her hips.
I loved watching her do dishes. she used rubber gloves (that must be why her hands were the world's softest). She didn't do anything in a hurry. She was busy, but methodical. She cleaned with such care and dried so gently while chatting with the family.
The way she never judged people, but had such a great sense of humor about personality differences.
Watching her play the piano every Christmas eve in my front room. With Grandpa on the trombone and the rest of us singing Christmas carols. Silent night will forever remind me of her and those perfect dark cold winter evenings when everything felt perfect.
Listening to her bear her testimony on Sundays in Bear Lake. Her unwavering knowledge of eternal families.
The way her home smells and feels. Such a welcoming home. A house of order and productivity and love.
When I was in college and she was in the hospital, I would comb her hair and rub lotion on her hands. She would sleep and some of those moments are when I felt the holy ghost most in my life.
How she welcomed Treavor into the family so lovingly.
The way she held my babies gently and looked at them with such joy.
The way she waved goodbye with an open hand and up and down motion. Saying "come again"
The way she endured to the end with such faith and hope.
My last visit with her.
It was sweet and peaceful. She woke up a little bit and used a lot of strength to mutter a few words. "Hi Sara" and "I love you too".
I rubbed her skin and felt her hair. I loved her pink soft jammies that fit her sweet personality.
I brought each of my kids into her room.
Owen said "hi"
Lewie kissed her hand
and kit sat on my hip. My angel baby with my angel Grandma in a quiet room was an experience I hope to never forget.
Today I thanked Heavenly Father over and over for Carol Anderson Ellertson. For her testimony, her strength, her tenderness, and for the way she impacted my life in ways that I cant fully express. I love her so much.
