Memory Monday #16

Grandma wanted to live long enough so that her grandkids would remember her. I write Memory Monday to help the grandkids remember and know Grandma. Davis is the youngest grandchild that Grandma knew on this earth. I have often, sadly, said that his memories of Grandma will be few. Maybe, hopefully, I am wrong. Davis went to the bookshelf last night to get a book for a story. He proudly brought me one of Grandma's Numa yearbooks and said, pointing to a picture on the front, "Gammah, Gammah, Gammah!" I looked at the picture, and sure enough, it was Grandma! We have never looked at that book. I don't know that he's ever seen that particular picture of Grandma. We looked at the yearbook and Davis found Grandma on every page where there was a picture of her. My friend Mindy says that Grandma probably hangs out with Davis more than with the rest of us, and he probably sees her better than we do. I like that idea and I believe it. She is making sure that Davis remembers her. I, too, will make sure that Davis and the rest of the grandkids remember her.

Memory Monday #15

Grandma had the fastest sewing machine in the west. Now I have it, and oh, how grateful I am! Grandma could sew anything: wool coats, suits, prom dresses, t-shirts, blankets, patched knees, pajamas, Christmas stockings, shorts, etc. Her products were perfect and amazing. Almost like buying them at the store...only better...no flaws, ever. Here are some shirts she sewed for us for our family picture...pretty cute, huh? You'll notice that those are full-blown collars, the boys open to the left and the girls to the right...because that is how you do it, all of the lines match up perfectly, and there are snaps. She's good.

It's interesting, when you're faced with the death of a very prominent loved one, the things that you worry about and wonder about. When I knew that Grandma's time on earth would be cut shorter than I had planned, I worried about who would do my sewing and mending. I guess that deep in the back of my mind, I knew I would have to step up. See, Grandma not only sewed for me, she also taught me a few things along the way. I can sew because she let me sew (I only broke a few needles on that old Singer) and she was always there to lend a hand. Although I would much prefer to have her here to do my sewing for me, that was not to be. I am, however, grateful for the tools she left me: a fabulous machine, a closet full of supplies, lessons, and experiences never to be forgotten. So, now I wonder...do they sew in Heaven? It was an earthly talent that Grandma developed well and that she loved...I just wonder if she still gets to sew?

Yesterday I decided it was time to get the patches on the scout uniforms. I've only been a leader for four months and Jeron had his first den meeting last night. I have dreaded putting the patches on. I couldn't help but think what an easy task it would be for Grandma. So many times like this, I long for her to be here and say, "Bring them over. I'll take care of it." But, again, she did not leave me helpless. I have the machine and I have the experience, so I set to work. Can I just say...easy, peasy!? I know the machine made a huge difference, but I also like to think I got a bit of her talent, too! Just LOOK at those patches! Thanks, Grandma, for the machine, but mostly for the talent you passed on.

Happy Anniversary

Because of sacred temple ordinances, families can be together forever. Since Grandma and Grandpa were sealed for eternity in the Manti Temple on August 24, 1968, today we celebrate the first 41 years of their eternal marriage. We also look forward with faith to their reunion and an eternity of family togetherness. I am grateful for "...choice parents, who saw the wisdom of going to the temple so that (I) might be brought into this world under the temple covenants, so that (I) belong to eternal family that will go for many generations..." I am grateful to "...have been raised under the influence of the gospel by (my) parents, and taught its principles..." Grandma and Grandpa have continued a legacy of obedience to temple covenants started by our pioneer ancestors. They have given us the necessary teachings and example, that we might continue that legacy. May our eternal family truly go for many generations. This is the responsibility that is now ours.

Families can be together forever,

Through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be

With my own family.
And the Lord has shown me how I can.

The Lord has shown me how I can.

What a blessing to know that ours is an eternal family. Thank you, Grandma & Grandpa, and Happy Anniversary!

From our 40th Anniversary Celebration

Memory Monday #14

I spent a week in Southern Utah a couple of weeks ago with Jeron, Jadee and Davis. Nothing like a venue change to stir up a whole new set of memories! Davis and I had the opportunity to drive to Richfield from Panguitch to have dinner with Stacee and Jamie. This stretch of 89 the Heywood kids know very well. We travelled it often on trips between Fayette and Panguitch. I haven't driven that road for...well, a VERY long time. Can't remember the last time... This time, as I headed through Circleville, made a sharp right, then a sharp left through town, I was reminded of one of the great faith-promoting experiences of my youth.

Grandma had a lot of faith. She knew that Heavenly Father lives and she had all the faith in the world that He hears and answers prayers. On one return trip from Fayette to Panguitch, Grandma forgot to gas up before we left. We were just miles north of Circleville when she realized that she was running on fumes. So, she did what you're not supposed to do when you're running low on fuel and you're only a few miles from a gas station: she pulled over and turned off the car. Her faith was great. She believed that if she reverently and respectfully prayed, she would be able to start the car and make it to her destination on the fumes. So, we all bowed our heads, folded our arms and Grandma prayed that we would make it. She started the car back up and headed toward the nearest fuel source. Of course, her prayer was heard and answered and we made it without a problem.

Isn't it interesting the experiences we remember from our growing up years? What a blessing to have a mother with faith, a mother who never missed an opportunity to teach her children by her example that God lives, loves us and answers our pleas. As usual, I have many faith promoting experiences I could share about Grandma. How many times did she ask us, "Would you like me to fast for you?" And then there are the countless times that she prayed for us for every reason under the sun. So, please share an experience of Grandma and faith.

"...yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

Alma 56:47-48

I do not doubt my mother knew it.

Note: This picture is driving south on 89 at about where I think we probably were when Grandma realized she had no gas!

Memory Monday #13

The practice song in Relief Society today was "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good." I haven't heard or sung that song since Grandma's funeral and I was totally caught off-guard. After they announced it, I sat there wondering if I should sing, leave, ignore...I finally just tried to sing, but was so overcome with emotion that by the end, I had to leave anyway. I want to share the words of the song here because they are so fitting to our Grandma and the way she lived her life.

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

What can I say more? I believe that Karen Lynn Davidson could very well have written this song just for Grandma. May we each live our lives to be the kind of friend Grandma was, to bless others' lives, to enrich others' days, to be devoted to our Savior.

The scripture that is listed with this song is D&C 42:45-46. I especially like verse 46: "And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them."

I believe that death was sweet for Grandma, for she was a righteous and devoted follower of Christ. I am grateful for this knowledge and promise. I am grateful for the example that Grandma left for us.

Memory Monday #12

Generous. Grandma is one of the most generous people I have ever known. Her children have learned well...but that is another topic for another day. I'm sure that every person who reads this post will have some story to add about how generous Grandma has been to them...actually, you will each probably have a number of stories, but one will suffice.

Grandma was especially generous with her grandkids. Some might say that she bordered on spoiling them. I suppose that if she did, it was her earned right. I certainly wasn't ever going to complain. I know Jeron and Jadee revelled in her generosity. They knew they could go to her with their hearts' desires and she would always do what she could to grant them. It should be noted that "do what she could" sometimes meant giving jobs for them to earn the money themselves or matching what they already had. You see, she was a great teacher of ownership and responsibility, too.

I was reminded last week of Grandma's generosity during a conversation I had with Jeron. I was talking to Jeron and Jadee about Patti and explaining her role in our family. Jeron thought for a moment and then said, "I sure hope that she's as nice as our Grandma. And if I recall correctly, whenever I went to the store with Grandma, we always went to the toy aisle and she let me pick out a toy." Our Grandma certainly is nice. And, she's generous, too.

Lest you think that her generosity stopped at spoiling the grandkids, I have come up with a little list, in no particular order, of other things she regularly did:

1. generously tipped food service people...especially young moms

2. put money in envelopes for more people than we are aware of

3. worked to put her kids through college and on missions

4. sent cards with money for all holidays to anyone she thought might need a little extra, mostly her children

5. paid bills for people who couldn't pay them for themselves

6. donated all kinds of household goods to charitable organizations

7. bought Christmas for many families over many years

8. gave away washers and dryers and furniture and cars to children who were just getting started, or were otherwise in need

9. let Grandpa spend a lot of money on a motorcycle because she knew it would bring him happiness

10. she was most generous with her time...she spent as much time as she could with her grandkids, helping out their parents when they had other things they needed or wanted to do

11. always invited people for Sunday and holiday dinners, including her children (I must say here that I spent a lot less money on food when we lived 2 miles from Grandma(0:)

12. how many times have each of us heard, "If you need some help, you just need to tell me."

13. she shared her many talents with many willing recipients

14.

So, all you readers of this little blog...please fill in #14 in the comments section. The longer I sit, the longer the list would be...but I will save some for you.

Memory Monday #11

Jeron gave a talk in primary yesterday. I wrote most of it...but he contributed what it means to have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus: "To know that they're real and the promises they make are true." He shared a story about Grandma and tithing.

Grandma always paid tithing first, no matter what. Maybe Grandpa can share a comment about how he and Grandma gained a testimony of tithing. What I know is that they always paid it, even when they didn't know how they would pay the rest of the bills.

When Holly was born, she spent a lot of time in the hospital and had many surgeries. She was an expensive baby, and well worth every single penny. I remember one month, Grandma didn't know how she would pay all the bills. There just didn't seem to be enough money. She paid her tithing first and left the rest to the Lord. A short time later, she and Grandpa received a check in the mail from the Navy. Apparently, they owed him some money that he didn't know about. Heavenly Father inspired the Navy to pay that money just when it was needed most. Grandpa can correct me if I have the details confused.Because of Grandma's example and teachings, I believe that all of her children pay their tithing faithfully (if any of you don't, consider this a call to repentance). Grandma's answer to financial situations we may have been in or questions we may have had: "Pay your tithing and you'll be just fine." As we have paid our tithing, we have always been just fine. We have never gone without the things that we need, and even much of what we want. Heavenly Father has always poured out his blessings on us.

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings...Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

--Malachi 3:8, 10