This sweet lady returned to our Heavenly Father and her eternal companion last week. I'm going to miss her like crazy, but I know that she is so happy, and I am confident that both her and grandpa are present as angels. I went to visit grandma on Wednesday evening after a long day of Parent/Teacher Conferences. When I walked into the house, all the memories of grandpa being sick flooded into my mind, and I knew that grandma would be joining him soon. I was able to sit with grandma and laugh and visit with her. She was the perfect example of love and finding joy in family and the gospel.
When I left on Wednesday night, I felt that would be the last time I would get to be with grandma. I tried to ignore the feeling because I didn't want to deal with the emotions that would follow. I shed many tears on the drive home, but deep in my heart I knew that grandma was prepared to meet our Savior. On Thursday afternoon, I left town for the weekend. Sure enough, on Saturday afternoon I got a phone call from my sweet sister Jodee telling me that grandma had peacefully passed away with all her children surrounding her bed. When Jodee called, Mark and I were just stopping to eat lunch. Words can't express how grateful I am for Mark taking the time to stop and listen and just be a force of comfort and peace. I am so grateful for a knowledge of the plan of salvation, and I know that grandma and grandpa are happily loving and serving those on the other side of the veil.
As I spent the week reflecting on grandma's life I thought of many things I want to remember about grandma. But here are just a few things I want to always remember about my sweet Grandma Kunz...
Sunday Dinner
Growing up, grandma and grandpa prepared Sunday dinners each week for their children and grandchildren. I will forever cherish this time with cousins, aunts, and uncles. There was always plenty of food and the best of company!
Homemade Rolls...the BEST ever
No one has ever been able to perfectly replicate grandma's rolls. They will go down in history as the best ever!
Quilts
Grandma had a quilt for every occasion. She made baby quilts, just for fun quilts, graduation quilts, wedding quilts, etc. I have several quilts from grandma that I will always hold dear. About a year ago, grandma got a little impatient with the fact that I was still not married, so she gave me the quilt that was reserved for my wedding! I love that lady!
Pins
There were pins everywhere in grandma's house! You could pick up pins off the floor after every visit! I also remember finding a few pins in my blankets...what a reminder of her love!
Puzzles
Grandma was always working on a puzzle. She loved to be active and continued to challenge herself with puzzles. In fact, there was a puzzle partway finished at her house on the Wednesday that I visited.
Swedish Fish & Orange Sticks
Grandma ALWAYS had Swedish Fish for us to snack on when we went to visit. And at Christmas, she always had a box or two of Orange Sticks.
Kleenex
Grandma always had a Kleenex or two in her hand and pocket. She would set the Kleenex's in her lap, and then when she would stand up, she would leave a trail of Kleenex's. At our house, we would call them "Grandma Kleenex's." Oh, how I will miss picking those up!
Driving
As a child, I remember riding with grandma and being concerned that she would get going 60 mph on the freeway and then suddenly slow to 30 mph! I always thought that was hilarious! I also remember her telling us several times how many cars were traveling in the opposite direction on the freeway - she definitely had some driving skills to never get in a wreck from her house to ours!
Babies
Grandma was the best with babies. All the grandkids just loved her, and she loved to hold babies. What a sweet knowledge I have to know that grandma will get to hold and send off any babies I am blessed with in the future.
Family Stories
Grandma loved hearing about her children and grandchildren. And she loved sharing our stories with the whole family, over and over again!
Raspberries
I have many memories of picking raspberries in grandma's raspberry patch. It was so much work, but she loved to have raspberries to offer everyone.
Christmas Village
Grandma was insistent that we put up the Christmas Village every year. She loved the joy it brought to family and friends as they came to visit and watch the train run its course.
Hugs
I can't recall a time leaving grandma's house without a hug.
Camping Trailer
Grandma and Grandpa were always so great to go camping with us, or let us take their trailer camping. Grandma always had the trailer ready and stocked with necessities so anyone could borrow it when needed. I have many fond memories of camping with grandma and grandpa.
Grateful Heart
Grandma was one of the most grateful people I know. She was so grateful for every act of service given, and always had a way to "repay" with a counter act of service or love.
Support
Grandma came to basketball games, tennis matches, concerts, recitals, graduations, family dinners, the temple, and the list can go on and on. She was always a supporter.
Strength
Grandma was strong. She had a testimony, and she relied on it for strength. She was always there to lift others and make us all feel loved and important.
Grandma and Grandpa Kunz will forever be in my heart. In the last week, I have felt their presence. I know they are cheering for me and each member of my family. Until I get to see them again, I know they will always be near!
