I've been thinking about Grandparents lately. I'm one of those lucky people that had all four of my grandparents alive and well until I was 26. Then my Grandpa Grant died - September 30, 1987. That was tough because he was great!! He was neat and organized, loved cocktail peanuts, had a great flattop haircut with really soft hair and loved me so much. Then I was one of those lucky people that had 3 of my grandparents alive and well until I was 37!! Wow - that's something to brag about and be happy. Then my Grandpa Kay died - June 4, 1998. That was tough because even though I didn't see him that much - he lived in Northern Utah and we lived in Arizona - I always knew he was there if we went up to visit. Not anymore. He had a great farm, a great laugh and when he laughed really hard, his eyes twinkled and he got tears in his eyes. Change is hard. Then I was one of those lucky people that have both of their grandma's still alive and well until I was 45. Then my Grandma Eddie died.. That was really tough. She was almost like a second mom to me. My parents and I lived with her and Grandpa Grant when I was little for a while. When we moved from Utah to Arizona when I was 4, she and Grandpa moved down there 3 years later. She was ALWAYS there in my life. Cheering me on, wiping my tears, laughing with me - and at me - hanging out and just holding my hand. She always made me feel like I was her favorite. She made us all feel that way. We were all her favorites. She died October 27, 2006. I had moved to Oregon just 4 months earlier. I felt so guilty for moving away and "leaving" her. I should have stayed a little while longer. But I know now that she was happy for me - happy that we moved somewhere we wanted to be, happy that I was having adventures in my life.
So now, I'm one of those lucky people that has 1 Grandma alive and well and I'm 47 years old. She's my Grandma June. I don't get to see her nearly as much as I'd like. She's still in Utah and I'm in Oregon now. I did get to see her in August when Chad and I were there and it was fun. She's a fun Grandma - always has been. Like my Grandma Eddie, she makes you feel like you're number 1 with her - you're the most important person in her world. She has wonderful dimples (thank you Grandma), she smiles a lot and as I've gotten older, I realize that I look a lot like her. Life hasn't always been easy for my Grandma June, but she's a trouper and is always trying to think of things she can do to "help out".

So I just want to say that it's my hope and prayer that I can be the kind of Grandma to my sweet grandbabies that my grandma's (and grandpa's) have been to me. One that loves unconditionally and across the board - they're ALL my favorites. One that is there for them in fun times and when they just need a hug. One that understands and loves them even when their parents "don't" ;). And I really hope that they'll be one of those lucky people that has their grandma with them alive and well for a long long time.