Happy 67th Dale and Thelma

Yesterday was my grandparent’s anniversary. Dale and Thelma would have been married 67 years. Oh, how I miss them! I have very fond memories of them. Lunches at ZCMI Center Mall or Sizzler. Watching Matlock or Murder She Wrote on a lazy afternoon. They had always seen the episode we were watching but could never remember how it ended.

Grandpa worked for Pepsi for many years and very often had one in his hand. As his grandchildren we could drink the Pepsi at his house but not at Sizzler. I don’t remember when I realized it was because at home it wasn’t caffeinated. Grandpa was also a die-hard University of Utah Running Utes fan. He had season tickets to football and basketball for a long time. The football tickets were given up before I can remember, but I did attend some basketball games. When I was accepted to the University of Utah, it was a sweet moment for me. Even though he was gone, I knew he would be proud of me.

He died so suddenly. We saw him on Tuesday at my sister’s choir concert and he looked the best we had seen him in a long time. That Friday I had an appointment to have my braces tightened. I know my mom would be checking me out of school a little early for the appointment and was fully expecting the call to the office. On the way to the office I saw my dad standing outside the office and all I could think was that it was a nice surprise. As we walked out the front door of the school, my dad put his arm around me and said he needed to tell me something. I immediately knew what he had to say, and even thinking of that moment my tears come rushing back. It was not a good moment, and on top of it all, I still had to get my braces tightened.

Grandma loved Christmas! Our family Christmas party, always on Christmas Eve, is one of my most prominent childhood memories. Every year we would get together for a cousin present exchange, stocking stuffer gifts from the other families, a piñata, as well as other fun and games. Grandma’s love of the holiday was not limited to the party, but her entire house was filled with decorations. I have no idea how many nativities she had but it sparked the collecting in me and my parents. Another vivid memory of my grandma is from my baptism day. She would do a special hairdo for her granddaughters on their special day. A braided crown! It was perfect for the getting ready quickly after being fully immersed in the font.

Grandma’s death was not as much of surprise. She had been diagnosed with bone cancer and only had 2 vertebrae intact in her back. There was nothing to be done. She stayed in an assisted living facility for a short time and was moved to hospice in my Aunt Trish’s home as she and her family moved back to Utah. Shortly after that she died, surrounded by her children. My Dad got a call from his sister who told him to come now. She died before I went to school that day and it was a long day. I didn’t tell anyone till lunchtime. I excused myself from lunch early because I couldn’t keep it together any longer. I walked to my locker and broke down. My sister’s friend saw me and stopped to see what was wrong. His compassion that day meant more to me than I can say.

I am so glad I knew my grandparents but saddened that my sweet Lizzie will not know them in this life. There is no doubt in my mind that they sent her to me. I will tell her their stories. They will never be forgotten.