Going ended up being the greatest blessing! My Grandma Clark took a sudden turn in her fight with breast cancer and a broken hip and passed away while we were there. We were able to change our flight home to be there for the funeral. She was really doing so well, and then one day she got sick and started her mind started to slip. My parents came for a visit at Thanksgiving, and there were meetings and plans for her chemo that my Mom was anxious to get home for. By Christmas, she was not herself. We were able to introduce Lydie to my Grandma just a few days before she died. I was able to see her a couple of times before she passed. Del was able to help give her a Priesthood blessing with my Dad. He felt very honored to be there for that.
The last thing she said to me was to remember to bring my driver's license. I am not sure where she wanted me to bring it, but it may have been to the airport when we flew home. Or not. I just know that she was concerned about me. And everyone around her. My Mom stayed at night leading up to her passing, and she said that one night my Grandma literally did not stop talking all night long. It was as if she was sorting through her life out loud. My Mom was also there with my aunt and Grandpa Clark as she passed. My Mom said it was a privilege to be there as my Grandma finished her time on this Earth.
My Grandma was one of the most amazing women I have ever known. She was a huge influence on my life. She raised my Mom and helped her become the example she has always been to me. My Grandma was so capable and humble. She was faithful as a disciple of Jesus Christ her entire life. She was so smart. She was quick witted, and knew just what was going on with all of the posterity in her life. The number of children, grandchildren, all their spouses, and great-grandchildren numbers in the hundreds.
Everyone was able to make it into town for the funeral except my Uncle Scott and Aunt Sandy. They are serving a mission for our church for three years in the Philippines, where my uncle is mission president. The day we introduced Lydie to my Grandma, she was difficult to understand. But she did tell me that she had just wanted to live for three more years. She wanted to be there when Scott came home. My cousin Preston, Scott's son, read a talk written by my Uncle Scott at the funeral.
While we visited, my Grandma's childhood friend, Janell called. She is the friend my Grandma named my Mom after. They chatted on the phone for a few minutes and my Grandma seemed to really know who it was. It is a nice memory to have of my Grandma.
I have a wonderful legacy to live up to in my Grandma! I only hope I can live as loving and fulfilled life, full of service as she did! She had a personal relationship with all of her grandkids. She took such good care of my Grandpa, and he is lost without her by his side. Which is so hard to see. It is strange for all of us to be in a world without my Grandma Clark. She was a foundation in my life. I know that she is watching over all of her kids and grandkids. I just know that she is still a presence and power as we all complete our journey here.
I love you Grandma, and I miss you so much! Thank you for being one of the wonderful, strong, and amazing women in my life!
We all placed a rose on Grandma's casket.
Grandpa Clark putting his rose on the casket.
Me with my sisters. I have three really, truly amazing sisters. They are my forever friends, and I love them!
I have posted some of these pictures before in other posts over the years. They are some that I sent to one of my cousins who put together a memory book for my Grandpa.
1 comment:
I got to be there during the blessing - it really was a truly amazing experience and a beautiful blessing. That was treasured time.
So interesting seeing the resemblence between Zach and Will. Aren't they only a few weeks apart in age,too? Both turned 12 this year. Zach on 1 March.
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