Memory Monday #10

Grandma is a woman of many talents. Since today is Davis's birthday, and I have spent the day decorating a Thomas the Tank cake, I was reminded of Grandma's cake decorating talent. She is a great cake decorator. She has a steady hand and an eye for detail. She made many a happy birthday for her children with her beautiful cakes. She made cakes for retirements and changes of command. I will let her work speak for itself. I only wish that photography technology from way back then could really do her and her cakes justice.

Each rosette was made by hand.
The special message was also scripted on each cake in her unmistakable handwriting.

I wish you could see the detail of the tiny little roses that covered this little doll's dress and even her little pony-tail holders. I LOVED that cake...probably my all-time favorite. Interestingly enough, something happened to the skirt part of this cake...the side fell in when it was baking, or a child got to it...I don't really remember. No one was the wiser...Grandma was really good at fixing things like that.

Holly's first birthday...Big Bird never looked so good!

Grandma hand-decorated the NAS Fallon seal, the anchors and the stars.

I included this one not for the cake, but for Grandma's bright smile. Her cakes were just one way she shared her talents and smiles with those around her. At the end of the parable of the talents, the Lord says to the servants who doubled their talents, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." I imagine that Grandma has heard those sweet words of aprobation from our Lord, for she truly multiplied the talents she was given on this earth. Go, and do likewise.

Memory Monday #9

I am so grateful that not a day goes by that Grandma isn't a part of my life. Some days I think of sharing an experience with her. Other days I think of some bit of advice she would give me. And still other days I think of funny things she said or did. I especially love the nights when she's in my dreams. Every day it is something, and for that I am very grateful.

About a month ago, I was missing Grandma's hugs. Funny thing...she never was much for hugging until she married into the "Hugging Heywood Family". I'd say that by the time she left this earth, she could hug with the best of them! Many people who knew her well commented about her hugs and how much they looked forward to those hugs. When I think of Grandma's hugs, I think soft, unfeigned, complete embrace. If I ponder really hard, I can still feel what a Grandma hug feels like. When I was shorter than she was, she would squeeze me under her shoulder like a mother hen covers her chick with her wing, then she'd kiss me on top of the head. I especially like this picture right now because it shows how she would squeeze me in.

There's nothing more comforting in all the world than a mother's unconditional embrace.

During the time that I was missing those hugs so desperately, I had a dream about her. In my dream, I was the grateful recipient of another of Grandma's hugs. It was very real and has helped me as I ponder to be able to feel what it felt like to be embraced by my mom. She hugged me a lot growing up, making it easy for me to dream that reality and remember the feeling. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, so let's hug our kids and loved ones as much as we can today, so they'll be able to feel it if ever we are absent from one another. Grandma would...she did.

Memory Monday #8

2006

Grandma loves flowers. Petunias, roses, purple pansies, marigolds, snapdragons. I don't really think that there is a flower that Grandma doesn't like. Jadee and I planted our garden on Saturday. Jadee planted petunias, because they are Grandma's favorite. She kept reminding me that she picked petunias because they're Grandma's favorite. I want the grandkids to remember that Grandma loves flowers. She worked hard every year to have a beautiful yard and flower beds. I want Jeron and Jadee to remember the years that they got to help plant the flowers. Grandma loved to plant flowers with her grandkids. Grandma also loved to send and receive cut flowers from the florist. Her favorite flower from the florist was the carnation. She liked her flowers full and beautiful. Flowers are a way that we can improve our little corners of the world. Grandma always had a beautiful corner. Jadee and I will have a beautiful corner this year...and hopefully for many years to come. And every time we look at our petunias, we'll think of Grandma and how she made our lives beautiful, too.

2008

Memory Monday #7

I was humbled yesterday by a memory I had of Grandma. I remember when she was the organist for the Fallon 2nd Ward. I don't know the whole story...maybe Dad can help me out with this. From my perspective, she struggled with that calling. She was a pianist, not an organist. We didn't have an organ for her to practice on, so if she wanted to practice, she had to take time to go to the church to play the organ there. I also believe that they wanted her to be there early to play prelude. That was sometimes a struggle for her, and I don't think she had a lot of help from whichever of her children was still at home then. I don't know that anyone ever openly criticized her playing. Knowing how we Mormons can sometimes be, however, it wouldn't surprise me. I remember more than once thinking, "My word, Mother, what's the big deal? Just do your best and that will do." I'm sure I never vocalized this thought, at least not so plainly.

So, yesterday I was called to be the Ward Choir Director. When I was issued the call, I simply said, "I don't want to be the Ward Choir Director. But, let me tell you why." It just so happens that our ward is full of musically talented people, who are also opinionated and critical. They are also in the choir. I led the choir for the Christmas Cantata last year, so I know this first-hand. Not being sure that I wanted to open myself up to that criticism, I tearfully shared that with Brother Cannon. I also shared that I am not a trained choir director, I am a drum major...that means I lead the band, not the choir. As I was imparting all of this, I thought of Grandma and her calling to play the organ. You see, even though she didn't want to and it was hard for her, she still did it. I thought of thinking, "My word, Mother..." and thought she must be looking down saying the same thing, "My word, Heidi, it's not that big of a deal. Just do you your best and that will do." Well, Brother Cannon and I decided we'd both think about it and get back together later. I decided that I would heed my mother's counsel (for I'm sure that that's what she would have said to me) and that I would accept the call and do the best I could do...criticizers be damned (in the "stopped" sense of the word). I wouldn't be doing it for them, anyway.

Isn't it interesting how easy it is to judge others until we are put in their shoes? I am grateful for that memory of Grandma, but mostly I am grateful for the example she set in persevering in a task that was difficult for her. "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the Kingdom of God..." D&C 6:13 Grandma did good and she was faithful. May we also do good and hold out faithful...even amidst the criticism of those who have never trod in our shoes.

#6...the Rest of the Story

The particular traveling lesson that I was referring to is eating snacks while traveling. We get in the car...even just to go to town...and my children think they need to have a snack! So, imagine what a trip to Utah is like. I recall Mom making the observation one time while driving somewhere with me...my children were "hungry," supposedly, and complainging that they needed something to eat. She said, "Well, they've been trained in true Grandma Rita fashion!" We didn't travel anywhere without having a little something to munch along the way. I suppose it makes the time go faster. So, here's to Grandma and her travel snacks! Long live travel snacks!