Still thinkin' about Grandma

I was lucky growing up. (Putting these thoughts in words, I realize I am also very lucky now for very similar reasons.)I was surrounded by great people. I had great friends. I was part of an amazing youth program. I loved and still love many of the people I knew then. Janel Jeppson was one of my very best friends. I will not bore you with, nor divulge ANY details, but my grandma loved her too.



Last night I was reading a book of my grandma's poetry. I came across this poem titled, "Janel Jeppson."

Once in a while it appears to be
That life is a series of storms.
That our personal climate is "winter" alone,
And wind, snow and sleet, the norms.

Like Jan---is forever----uary,
Like bleak cold is all they allow.
(What nut said California was Sunny?
It's as black as the inside of a cow!!!)

But know, Dear Janel, pretty lady,
That God who is infinitely wise
Has provided for each January
a thaw and a crystal sunrise.

Trust Him whose love is eternal,
Who watches and cares for you,
To help and sustain in your troubles
And make all your skies turn to blue.

-Elayne Reid January 26, 1987

That was written for Janel around when she hurt her hip. See, my grandma loved me and my friends!!!! Years have gone by, we have married, moved, Janel grew up, we've both started families, we both have loved and even lost. I know that part of who I am today is the result of great friends like Janel and a loving grandmother who took such an amazing interest in our lives.

Missing Grandma today........

When I was young, my Grandma Reid was the primary chorister. I can still picture the way she held her hand as she taught us the words and music to "I Wonder When He Comes Again." I can still picture her enthusiasm and pure love as she taught about the Savior and His love for each and every one of us children. My grandma LOVED music almost as much as she loved her Heavenly Father. She loved to dance and sing and laugh. She loved to bear her sweet testimony verbally and by example. I have many memories that took place in her living room around her piano or simply sitting next to her as she read The Littlest Angel or My Turn on Earth to me. Grandma took me took get my Kindergarten shots, helped me conquer fears, helped me write papers for school, loved every one of my friends and they knew it, took me on vacation, let me stay up late and watch "Love Boat," painted my nails, watched countless soccer games, and loved my husband and children. I love and miss her as much today as I did when she passed away years ago. I don't have any clever pictures to post. I only have gratitude in my heart to a Grandmother, who among many things, taught me to love and appreciate the impressions left by the spirit on my heart. She loved me. I never doubted that I was the most important person in the world to her. I never doubted that she had a testimony. I never doubted her devotion to her family. I never doubted that she loved my children. She made all of these things abundantly clear! I couldn't love her or miss her more!

"I read that one!"

Emmie always comes through. Tonight, Jaxson gave a great lesson for Family Night. (I can't lie-I absolutely love that kid!) After his lesson I asked how we could avoid being tempted to make wrong choices. Each of the kids gave 12 really good answers. I told them about a talk I had read in the Ensign that gave the idea of having a "delete button" in your head. Right after I said the words, "delete button," Emmie yelled, "I read that one." PAY DAY!! They do listen to us sometimes! Who would have thought? A while back, Tim did a Family Night lesson on the importance of reading modern day revelation. He gave each of us a copy of the Conference Ensign and encouraged us to read it regularly. Tonight I was more than impressed with our eight year old's declaration: "I read that one!"



I just love her!!!!