Today as I was walking by my sewing desk, I noticed the program from my Grandma's funeral (I'm not quite sure why I keep it there, but it's fitting since she was quite the seamstress). I realized that today is her birthday - she would have been 87 years old.
My Grandma was quite the lady. Always singing, a song for every occasion. You could say anything and Grandma would break into a song that related to what you said.
Songs that remind me of her - "Bushel and a Peck," "The Trolley Song" (zing zing zing went my heartstrings!), "Side by Side" (hers and Grandpa's song), "Jim" (she once told me that this song was a bit of a joke between her and Grandpa when they were dating - something about Grandpa - Jim - giving her a bouquet of wheat instead of pretty flowers).
Grandma LOVED to sew. I remember her sewing closet with pegs for all of her thread, every color imaginable. She used to make us matching dresses when we were little. She made the blessing dress that I was blessed in and Ella was blessed in. In memory of Grandma, Ella wore one of the little dresses made by Grandma to her funeral.
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| Our family at Grandma's funeral - Ella in a dress sewn by Grandma |
She passed on her love of sewing to my mama, who passed it onto me (at least I am working on learning...you can't let a legacy like that go to waste).
She was a great cook. I have memories of her in her kitchen frying tacos for the whole family.
She loved old movies. Several times she'd have all of her granddaughters over for a double feature of an old classic movie and a modern remake (like "The Shop Around the Corner" and then "You've Got Mail.")
She never complained (even with years of declining health) and she LOVED to laugh. One of the funnest things was to get Grandma to laugh really hard. My favorite memory of her laughing is one evening she was over at our house, and I played for her the piano piece "Flying Leaves" (which is the English translation; my family lovingly calls the song "Loose Bladder" based on the German title). The song consists of phrases of fast eighth-note runs followed by some quarter notes and then ending on a staccato note with a big rest at the end. My Dad loved to slam doors and cupboards in time to the music, right on that last note of each phrase, and thought it was just hilarious. Well, Grandma was over for dinner and I played the song, during which my entire family slammed anything and everything in the house that would slam shut at the end of every phrase. I don't think I have ever seen Grandma laugh so hard. She was just crying.
She and my Grandpa are such wonderful examples to me - of a wonderful marriage, of raising a great family, and of dedicating themselves to serving the Lord. They served a mission to Ireland together when I was a preschooler (we lived in their house while they were gone). I love these two!
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| This is how I remember and picture my Grandparents. |
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| Leaving for Ireland. I'm the cute one on the very left. |
Jonathan and I had the opportunity to live with her in her home for a year and a half, and I will always cherish those times we had together! We moved in right before James was born. She LOVED watching James grow, and even though he can't really remember it, I am so glad that he got the chance to see his great-grandma on a daily basis.
She loved having our little family there, and we really enjoyed spending time with her. Some favorite memories from that time include:
Watching the entire Gilmore Girls series together!
Asking Grandma questions about her life and hearing all sorts of stories about her boyfriends and all the guys who wanted to marry her (quite an impressive number, if I recall!)
Playing Uno and Yahtzee
The way she called Jonathan "George"
Feeding her dinner most nights - we had the same favorite meal, Souper Meat & Potato Pie
Bringing little James upstairs to visit her a few times every day - he learned to stand holding onto her walker
Realizing that I inherited her loud sneeze - thanks Grandma!
I am so glad that she could meet Ella when we visited last Christmas. She sure loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These are dear pictures that will be such a treasure to have.
So, Happy Birthday, Grandma! We hope you had a wonderful party with Grandpa up in Heaven. :)
We love you!
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| Gwen Glenn | 1926-2012 |
