grandma and me.

Cut from the same stone-- that's what I like to think when I think of Grandma and myself. In the summertime, we would sit together in Relief Society and on especially slow days at church when the AC just wouldn't work and the RS room was like a perfume oven, we'd both sit back and one of us would without fail say, "at least there's chocolate."

We were made for sunny days, she and I both. Whenever I visited in the winter, sometimes stopping by all by myself, our conversations would always turn to anxiously anticipating the springtime or being so happy for the 70 degrees and sunshine that was on its way tomorrow.  Other times, I would visit and take a peek at her painting and sewing room, one day hoping I would have a collection of colors and machines as fun as hers.

She knew her way around the kitchen. Sometimes, I would watch her cook just to get ideas for when I headed back to school and had to cook for myself. Her chicken and noodles were phenomenal. One day, I'll finally make them taste just as good as hers. She taught me how to make her Won Tons, and every year for the past almost ten years, we've gotten together the girls and made them for Christmas dinner. And, I can't forget her lemon meringue pie... or her pot roast... or her candy. She was good.

I loved listening to my grandma speak. She had so many memories, and once she was all warmed up there was so much to listen to. Sometimes, it was about her school experiences. Other times, it was about her childhood. Most recently, it was her travels. She went to so many different places, and had a little something to say about each, never forgetting to mention how blessed we were to live in America. Travel opened her eyes. On occasion, I would call her up when giving a talk or doing a project at school. I interviewed her once when gathering information for a report on nurturing the family and I'll never forget what she said-- "I was soft spoken, but never a pushover." What I would give to be so quietly strong!

Alongside my Grandpa, she raised an impressive family. Close-knit, close to God. Their marriage is one of the sweetest I have ever seen. I always knew they loved each other. I loved how they would call each other sweetie. She and I were once eating potato chips and she asked if I would see if Sweetie (Grandpa) wanted some. It warms my heart as I start out in my own marriage to see the sweetness of eternal love through time. What a great example they set for their children and grandchildren.

Grandma had nine kids. She was a busy woman. And for all she endured, she looked fabulous. She once cleaned out her closet and wanted to give me a gorgeous black pencil skirt she wore after all her children and well past. I could not button it up. I was indeed impressed. She was a beautiful woman. She was also beautiful inside, with her love, talents, patience, and spirit. I aspire to be like her.

The last time I was with her was over Christmas break. She had just gotten Mamma Mia! as a gift and she had Grandpa put it in so she could show us the sing-along version. She loved Abba. So, we had a bit of a sing along until the men had a cow and we turned it off. I had so much fun that night. As the night wound down, we turned to conversation where I learned something that made me laugh a bit. Grandma and I both get heartburn from hot chocolate. Yes, we are both cut from the same stone.

Cancer took her swiftly from this earth, yet she remains close in my heart. May she have endless sunny days with our Heavenly Father.

[RACHEL]