Another Angel in Heaven

This past month my grandma passed away. Her health had been declining for the past few years and the last year was incredibly difficult for her. She spent over 90 days in the hospital. We all have really stuggled watching her battle this. As hard as it is to have her gone, and as much as I miss her, I know she is finally free from all of the pain. I love her so much and will always miss her. I have included the talk I gave at her funeral.

Some of the earliest memories from my childhood are the wonderful times we spent as children at my Grandparent’s home listening to their music boxes. I remember how Grandma kept them on the shelf circling the room in their basement and how my brothers and I liked to play them all at the same time. Whenever I was at their home my Grandparents would treat me like a little princess. I always felt so warm and loved. They would drop everything to give me their undivided attention. We played games, ate creamies, visited their friends and then Grandma would sing me lullabies when it was time for bed.

My grandma was very poised and classy, a real lady. She was always so well put together from her hair down to her shoes. But this never stopped her from getting down on the floor or the lawn to play with her grandchildren. She was the best dressed croquet or whiffle ball player you have ever seen. And she was always very supportive of each of us in our school activities, dance performances, and athletic events.

Being her only granddaughter gave us a unique opportunity to have a very special relationship. She has been one of my best friends. I could call her whenever I was having a difficult time and she always lifted me up with encouraging words. My grandma taught me at a very young age to have a positive attitude. She showed me this through her example. No child could have hoped for a better grandma. I have never wanted to disappoint her because I loved and respected her so much. But it didn’t matter what grade we earned or if we won the game or not, because she was always proud of us just the same. As I have matured I realize that as long as I am pleasing the Lord she is pleased.

My grandma was very giving. She enjoyed giving us birthday and Christmas presents and gifts for special achievements. She was always giving of her time and her love.
In her talk during the LDS General Conference this weekend Sister Sylvia Allred said that the greatest gift one can give is the gospel. I will be forever grateful to my grandma for giving this precious gift to her family. Her legacy of faith and her love for the Savior has already passed down through three generations.

I’d like to share with you a conversation I had with my two older children. Last week I told them about their great grandma’s condition and that she would be going to heaven very soon. My 5 year old could sense my sorrow and she told me that she didn’t want her to die. My 7 year old son looked at us very thoughtfully and then said, “But Hailey, she’ll get to see her mom and dad again, and her grandparents”. We then started to name some of the people that would be there to welcome her home. Among these names was of course their baby sister, Marielle. When I said her name my son’s face lit up. My children take great comfort in knowing that Great Grandma is there to take care of Marielle and that Marielle is there to make Great Grandma happy.

I know we have a Heavenly Father that loves each one of us. If we have faith in his plan of happiness, we need not despair. In his talk this past Saturday Elder L. Tom Perry reminded us that “The best is yet to come”. We will be together again. And during these challenging times He will send comfort. His angels are all around us. The heavens are working hard for us and extraordinary measures are being taken.

When I visited my grandma in the hospital last week, I had a very strong impression that it would be the last time I would see her. I could sense the Savior’s love for her and I knew she was in good care. The veil felt very thin at that moment and I knew there were angels attending to her and comforting her. I have felt the power of the Comforter in my own life, I know it is real. If we put our trust in the Lord he will bring us comfort and peace. I know I will see my Grandma again and we can enjoy the relationship we had in this life throughout the eternities. I know that the best is yet to come.