Earliest Memories
My earliest memories are in the home of my Grandma Faye. Between the ages of one and four, I was lucky enough to live in her home, with her and my family in Pinesdale, Montana.
My memories include waiting for my Christmas present. A pink rocking horse, that I knew was mine. It was “hidden” in the ceiling, and I could not wait for it to come down. I was three and loved that rocking horse. I also had Shirley Temple tight ringlets that everyone loved to touch. One Christmas I received a set of 100 pastel barrettes with cute animals on them. I was not content until each one was in my hair.
We moved out of Grandma’s house and into a house in Utah when I was four years old. It seems like I have a lapse in memories until I was in my later elementary years, and middle school years. I don’t have a lot of memories from childhood, except for these early ones at Grandmas.
From my earliest memories, until now, my Grandma has made the biggest impressions of good memories for me. Every summer, I was excited to find a ride and make the trip to spend summers in Montana with cousins and Grandma.
Grandma is the oldest of her mother’s 13 children. All of her siblings have remained very close. I would often hitch a ride to Montana with one of them. Her brother taught me about the “need for speed”. I loved watching his speedometer climb higher and higher and hear his wife say, “Shem. Slow Down!”
I loved waking up, going out to pick fresh raspberries in Grandma’s patches and then watching, or helping grandma make home made waffles. With a generous spoonful of whipped topping, and the fresh berries, breakfast was always something to wake up for at Grandma’s.
Grandma also introduced me to the love of musicals, and in music. She practiced her violin, and sometimes played with others. Later I would learn the Violin and attempt to play myself. If you ever go on a road trip with me.. I suggest earplugs, because you know I will be blasting Les Miserable, musicals from Rogers and Hammerstein, or The Phantom of the Opera and singing all the high notes! Like Grandma, music has helped me get through many difficult times in my life!
Even today, Grandma continues to teach me about optimism and gratitude. Grandma has been through so many things in her life that she rarely talks about and that some would not believe. Yet, she continues to share her wisdom. I have never heard her yell, scream, or curse. Instead she holds her tongue. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” was truly her example.
I moved back to Montana to live with her again after getting my associates degree in college. Grandma knew how much I was struggling, and after the loss of her oldest child, my uncle, she invited me to move in with her. I had just gotten out of a really manipulative and emotionally abusive relationship and didn't know what to do. Grandma understood how much I needed a change in scenery. She invited me to move in to “help her”, but she really helped me.
I moved in and quickly saw Grandma’s help decline over the next few years. Pneumonia and scarring on her lungs gave her COPD. Weakness and several fractures, and breaks to her hips later she is now bed ridden; and yet Grandma continues to teach me about gratitude. She is quick to thank those who carefully take care of her and to tell you that she loves you.
Sitting with her each week and watching her be quick to pray has really humbled me in many ways. I asked Grandma once if she kept journals because I would like to read them. Grandma told me about things that she has endured but said she would rather leave behind good memories.
My Grandma truly deserves a crown on her head. Although it isn’t the crown she deserves, I decided to give her one. I love my Grandma. She is a queen.