I have put off this post because I know I can never write well enough to express my feelings. I got to speak at Gram's funeral on behalf of all the grandchildren and here is what I said.
This week I have a part of many sweet conversations, remembering a remarkable woman and sharing wonderful memories. I am one of the 15 most fortunate grandchildren on earth. There are so many traits that made Gram the ideal grandmother. She was a fabulous cook. I don't think any of us will ever eat a great potato salad or roasted ham without remembering Gram. And I think it's safe to say that every grandchild at some point in their life snuck into the freezer in the basement of her house to sneak a bite of one of her delicious frozen marshmallow fruit cups. She even cooked pancakes to order in any shape desired, including Michael Jackson's glove.
She was there for us at every important event in our lives: high school and college graduations, mission farewells and homecomings, concerts and plays, weddings. She was even there in spirit at every one of my high school dances, since she lovingly designed and sewed each of my dresses for me. She taught us how to sew and made us clothes, doll clothes, dance costumes, blessing gowns, even bean bag frogs.
Everyone loved sleepovers at Gram's house, whether they were with the whole family or one-on-one. I loved it when it was my turn to stay at Gram's house all by myself. She would fulfill any request and take me anywhere I wanted to go. When I went to Utah State, I got to live with her for 18 months and that was like one big, extended sleepover at Gram's that I will never forget. I will forever remember the times and conversations we shared and the wise advice she always had for me.
Gram had a special gift for listening. She was genuinely interested in our lives and she always encouraged us in whatever we were doing. She was our number one fan. My cousin Emily said it best when she said, "I never once doubted how much she loved me and truly how much she believed in me. Every time I finished talking to Gram, I felt better about who I was and more confident to become even greater. She had a way of reminding me what is truly important. Every time I told her of some accomplishment or positive thing happening in my life, she'd smile that warm smile and say, "Doesn't surprise me one bit. That's the kind of girl you are."
Gram loved becoming a great-grandmother and loved having conversations with each great grandchild. Just as she did with her grandchildren, she really celebrated them as individuals and marveled over their distinct little personalities. I never tired of hearing Gram tell me that my children were "bright and remarkable," especially since to me, her opinion held more weight than anybody else's. When I would talk with her about the joys and trials of motherhood, she always buoyed me up and told me what a great job she thought I was doing.
We will miss jumping on her waterbed, climbing her cherry tree, listening to her wonderful rendition of "Little Black Sambo," and gathering horse chestnuts from her driveway. We will miss even more her sense of humor and her quick wit, her warm hugs and her soft skin, her positive attitude and sense of adventure, her grace and her eloquence, and her ability to always say the right thing. Gram was the perfect grandmother in every way. She was a shining example to all who knew her, and she will forever remain my hero and my dear friend.
The day of the funeral was a beautiful, crisp autumn day and there was a Aggie football game being played (and won) in the USU stadium by the cemetery. I think Gram would have loved the setting.
Here are some pictures of a very difficult day.
All of Gram's posterity.
My mom and her brothers, John and Craig.
The Becksteads. Holy cow, when did there get to be so many of us?
Gram had a great collection of necklaces and was rarely seen without one on. All the women and girls chose one to wear for the services. Here's Grace wearing the locket she chose.
