| Letter to Grandma |
Grandma,
I’ve known you since you were 53. Well, I don’t actually remember you from then. My memories start a couple years later. Lance has known you since you were 71. We have cherished getting to have you as a Grandma. On your 80th birthday we wanted to share with you some of our memories of you from the last 27 years.
I loved when you would send homemade Christmas chocolates in the mail to us. I remember being in the kitchen in our Mission house and finding some little candy cups with the holly pattern just like you used, I was SO disappointed that Grandma’s chocolates weren’t in them. I still think of you every time I see them.
I remember being in awe of the tiger lilies blooming outside the windows of one of your houses. This summer I had tiger lilies in my garden and I thought of yours. They were stunning. This picture is from my garden.
I loved hearing over and over the story of you, the axe, and the snapping turtle. Wow!
I remember Christmas presents. The flannel heart patterned pajamas were the best I’d ever seen.
I remember sleepovers, pizza, movies and popcorn ladled out of a huge metal bowl.
I remember playing with the intercom of your new house in Abbotsford. Tons of fun.
I remember receiving a tea kettle and a Bible as a grade twelve graduation gift. The electric kettle (bright yellow!!) was perfect for my dorm room and the Bible was perfect for my pocket.
I remember receiving your handwritten letters while I was at CLBI. I still have them.
I remember you and Grandpa taking me out for my birthday when I was living at the Odegard’s. We enjoyed breakfast and then I opened the gifts that you brought from home.
We remember walking to your house one Christmas break where Lance was to meet my Norwegian grandparents. Of course there was Gjetost.
Lance remembers you helping with a very important detail pertaining to our engagement. Providing the ring! What a secret he and you both shared. I didn’t even know it was coming. Thank-you. I’ve NEVER seen a more beautiful ring.
I remember the look on your face when you announced that there had been a change of plans and we weren’t watching a movie that December night. Instead I received an envelope, some flowers, and we took a picture before I was on my way.
We laugh every time we remember you hollering, “Firm and thorough” at our wedding reception.
We loved movie nights at your place – “You’ve Got Mail”, “A New Leaf”, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, “Phantom of the Opera” (that one didn’t make your good books)
Lance remembers lunches of toasted salami and havarti sandwiches, milk and “Puff” cookies on the days he painted the trim of your house.
Queen Lemon Bar. Not much needs to be said about those famous bars. We remember you making them especially for Lance -- a real labor of love in these last couple of years when you have faced so many major health obstacles.
Lance remembers the famous good-bye hug you shared at the top of the Klassen stairs. After that “special squeeze” you told him to hug from the left side from now on!
We’re glad you never had to send us a letter complete with diagrams. We figured everything out. Good results eh?
I treasure the card you wrote for my baby shower (at Gwen’s). Your words were so affirming, a blessing passed on from you to our growing family. I loved when you met the wigglers!
We remember you meeting Elijah and Eva for the first time. We had just arrived in Abbotsford after a rough flight and crazy screaming ride from Vancouver and I think you still got a couple smiles out of them.
We remember Elijah playing with the brake on your wheel chair at Holy Family. And Eva patting your knees and being enamored with your fancy flowered slippers. It was very special seeing you interact lovingly with them even when you were in such a difficult time in your own life.
We remember the kisses Elijah and Eva gave you during one of our Holy Family visits. Too bad they were too quick to capture with the camera. These two pictures ended up being before or after.
We hope to make many more memories with you and look forward to our kids getting to know you more so that they will also have memories of you. We pray that God would give you hope and strength as you journey through so many health trials. We love you very much. It has been a joy to know you for the past 27 and 9 years.
Love,
Lance, Aimee, Eva and Elijah |
|
|
|
|
|
posted by Aimee at