I have been blessed with many Grandmas and Grandpas, and have felt throughout my life the great love that they each have for me and for my family. Here they are in a nutshell.
Grandma and Grandpa Tripp - 'Tickle' askids (my mom's mom and step -dad)
Grandma Tripp is one of the hardest working people that I know. I remember well each time she visited - seeing her with the scotch cleanser scrubbing our kitchen sink. Each time I clean and shine my sink I think of her and
know she would be proud to see it. :) Every year, Grandma sends the absolute perfect birthday card. She has always been very generous also in helping our family in any way she can. Grandpa Ray loved his grandchildren. When they would visit, he loved to hear us sing or play the piano and I remember him being so touched by this. He loved to have the grandchildren comb his hair and would pay 5 cents/minute for a job well done.
Grandpa Pete and Joan (my mom's dad and step-mom) Visiting their home when I was young was like visiting a wonderful museum. My grandpa repairs antique clocks and his walls were full of them. He gave us a clock for our wedding ("Don't tell the other cousins, but yours is the best one I've given yet!") which we still have not found a place to hang
, but I keep storing it - maybe someday! Joan collects little collectible pieces and every year for Christmas we could expect a little animal figurine of some sort from her collection. :)
Grammi Char and Gramps (my dad's mom and step-dad)
Grammi loves books. I asked her once why she loved teaching elementary school and she said a big part of it was all of the wonderful children's books. She has been teaching for about 40 years now and still loves it at 71. Some of my greatest memories are of watching her create the
beautiful temple cakes she made for each of our baptisms. For several years, John went to school with Grammi and helped her in her classroom as an aid. I've loved to see the way they enjoy each other.
Ron and Diane (my dad's dad and step-mom) Ron lived near the beach for some time when I was young and I remember boating with him and our cousins and what fun it was to get to take the wheel even. He and Diane love BYU football and travel around to see the games - so we get to see them sometimes when they stop through Provo. Grandma Helen (my great-grandma, Ron's mother) Visiting Grandma Helen was always a surprise as to whether or not she would let us come in... But she really loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. I remember writing letters to her and receiving letters in return with a dollar or two to buy ice cream of go to a movie.
Grandma and Grandpa Brady (my step-mom's parents) This is true of all of Shauna's family, but I have felt in the years since Shauna and my dad married that we have been taken in so completely by the Brady's. They always remember to send birthday and Christmas cards and love to attend important family events.
Grandma and Grandpa Johnston (Jordan's grandparents - mom's side) We got to spend a week in Oregon with Jordan's family last summer and it was really great to get to spend some time with the Johnston's getting to know them a little bit better. Jordan was very excited to bring back some of the great tools from Grandpa Johnston too. I've been watching some of Jordan's home videos and it has been fun to see him and his siblings with Grandma when they were very young.
Grandma Brough (Jordan's grandma - dad's side) Grandma Brough lives up in Salt Lake so we get to visit her every so often. She is as sweet as can be and loves to show us recent pictures and hear about what we are doing in our lives. She is so appreciative of visits and letters.
I am so grateful for all of these wonderful people in my life.
