Save A Seat For Me
After watching our sweet Grandma Holding suffer from Alzheimer's for the past several years, we layed her to rest yesterday. It was a sweet occasion full of tears for the vibrant and loving woman that we'll miss, and full of laughter in honor of her optimistic enthusiasm for life. We all approached her casket one by one to cry and say goodbye. Grandpa was the last to say goodbye. He sobbed and told her how he was sorry that he couldn't take care of her and make everything better. He said that he loved her and talked to her every night before bed. He said he was lonely already without her. We all sobbed heartbreaking sobs as we listened to his last declaration of love for his sweetheart of 50 years. I suppose that was the moment that Grandma had had enough of all of the sad sobbing because after Grandpa's last sentence, his pants suddenly fell down to his ankles. No matter how sad the occasion, a good pantsing always makes people laugh. Grandma must have known that because at that moment we all burst out laughing, including Grandpa. Laughing through tears really is such a wonderful emotion.
We had a beautiful celebration lunch after the graveside service to eat and tell stories about her wonderful life. I realized during the nostalgic story-telling the remarkable influence this woman has had on the world. Grandma was a faithful member of the church even though her husband never believed and never accompanied her in her worship. But her children with grateful hearts thanked her yesterday for taking them into their rooms as small children and teaching them to pray. She towed them alongside her each week to church her entire life. Her two sons served missions and all three of her children are married in the temple. Because of her faithfulness, 15 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren are blessed to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
We love you Grandma and can't wait to see you again.
I hope that I may have the enthusiasm for life that you did. I hope that I may be nurturing and loving to all those whom I touch. I hope that I may be faithful and bless the many generations that you have.
Save a seat for me in heaven,
Ashley
Comments
Sounds like you get part of your love and compassion from your grandma.
On another note...Easter? Wanna head south and dye eggs?
What a lovely tribute to your grandmother.
Ash if you need anything please call me - I would love to talk to you anytime you need! Love you Ash!
And P.S. your seat in heaven has been reserved since the day you were born. You, my friend, are one in a million and those same attributes that you used to describe your grandma obviously got passed to you. You amaze me all the time! Loves!
Britt