More Memories

In the experiences I've had with death, my biggest concern is always forgetting. I find myself terrified that I will forget everything that was important, everything that made me love that person. Recently that's been how I've felt about losing Grandma Shirley. So, I've made a list. While this may be boring for those who read it, it is SO important to me. These are a few of my happiest memories with Grandma Shirley.

Rumikub: Grandma taught all of us grandkids to play Rumikub and I remember many evenings gathered around the big kitchen table playing Rumikub. I remember the way Grandma held the tiles in her hand. Aunts, uncles, cousins, visitors, lots of Rumikub.

Chicken Foot: Have you ever played Chicken Foot? I asked for Dominoes for Christmas one year as a result of playing lots of Chicken Foot with Grandma. Her patience in teaching us these games was incredible. Grandma loves her grandkids and loved being with us.

Blue jays: Before Grandma moved to the care center she would sit out on the back deck and feed the blue jays unshelled peanuts. She recognized individual birds, and even had names for a few of them. One of her favorites was a pretty raggedy looking blue jay. She had a few ways of calling the birds, and they always seemed to respond. She would pile the peanuts on the barbeque and then sit in the swing and just wait. We had to visit quietly so as not to startle the birds. There were many times we would pull a chair up next to the barbeque and try to get the birds to take peanuts off our heads or out of our hands. There were always buckets of peanuts in the kitchen cupboard.

Windchimes: Grandma loves windchimes. She had several hanging out along the roof of the back deck.

Learning to Drive: If it wasn't for Grandma Shirley, I probably would not be driving today. I did not want to learn to drive. I had absolutely no desire. My mom tried and after one poorly executed attempt on the way home from church I decided to give up. Grandma just wouldn't have it. She showed up in the blue Lincoln and made me take the wheel. We drove around for quite a while. She didn't flinch once and offered lots of helpful tips. There was one point when I managed to go over a curb that was on the edge of a slight hill that led to a house. As I slammed on the brake and totally freaked out Grandma calmly told me to put my left foot on the brake pedal and slowly move my right foot to the gas and put the car in reverse. Somehow we made it back on the road without any damage to the car or the doomed house. Grandma has a love for cars, so I was worried I had hurt her Lincoln, but she wasn't concerned at all.

I sure love Grandma Shirley!