Grandma Grape

Two weeks ago Jeff's dad called with the news that our dear Grandma Packer had passed away. She was almost 92 and not in great health anymore, but I guess there was a part of me that hoped she would be around for awhile yet. I am not sad that she is with Grandpa again. Nor am I sad that she has been relieved of her mortal body. I have shed a few tears for myself though, because I won't be able to enjoy her association again until the next life. Jared said it best. When I told him that Grandma had passed away and returned to live with Heavenly Father, he said, "Now we won't get to hug her anymore."

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

Grandma was known for her love and acceptance of everyone. It could be safely said that the only person she ever said anything bad about was Kobe Bryant, during a playoff game when the Lakers beat the Jazz a year or two ago. She made each family member feel like they were her favorite child, grandchild, or in-law. During her funeral I realized that I feel a kinship with many of her granddaughters-in-law, not just because we married her grandsons, but because we have her love in common.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

One of my favorite memories of Grandma is a time just a few years ago when I was sitting at the bar in my mother-in-law's kitchen with Marilyn (my mother-in-law) and Grandma. We were talking about family members, maybe about a cousin or someone else who was struggling. Grandma's eyes teared up and her voice wavered as she told us how much she loved her kids and her grandkids and her great-grandkids, and what a source of joy they were to her. I was so touched by the love I felt as she expressed her feelings about her family. I don't think I could hope for more than to become a grandma like her, whose family knows what love is because she loved them so much.

When such a friends from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

Both of my own grandmothers passed away early in my adulthood. I was close to them during my childhood. I love them and cherish my memories of them. I didn't really ever have an adult relationship with them though. Neither of them got to hold any of my babies or see me as a mother. I am grateful that Grandma Packer was around as I started my family. She means a lot to my children. When Adam was about three years old, Marilyn and I were trying to explain to him the difference between grandparents and great-grandparents. Marilyn told him that Grandma Packer was Grandpa's mom, and his Grandma Great. We thought he understood until he started calling her "Grandma Grape." She has been our Grandma Grape ever since.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.
(Hymns #293)

Thank you for loving us Grandma Grape. We will miss you.