Grandma Anderson

 My Grandma Anderson has not been doing well for the past few months, so as a family, we did a family fast for her in February 22nd. At that time, I had a feeling inside that I would be able to see her one more time before she passed away. This picture was taken of her and my mom about 3 weeks before the family fast. She looks just as I remember her in this picture!

 A week and a half after the family fast, I flew to Utah for my sisters bridal shower. Right when my dad picked me up from the airport, he took me right to the rest home that my Grandma had been staying at. When I saw her, I knew the end had come. She was in a kind of coma, and non responsive. I sat by her bedside, took her hand, and just started crying. This was not the way I remembered my Grandma when I saw her last. She was weak and frail, and was not able to even open her eyes. She squeezed my hand while I held her hand which was so sweet. I gave her a kiss on the cheek on told her I loved her.

The next day, we went to say good bye to her one last time with my Mom, and my 2 sisters. My Mom sat by Grandma and read from her life history. It was such a sweet moment to sit in her room that was decorated just like her home, and to listen to stories of her life. I gave her one last kiss and had my final good bye. It was hard to see her in this way because I will always really remember as a vivacious, strong woman. Growing up, she was the life of the party and had so much energy! She was a great example to me of how to live as the Savior lived. She was a scripture scholar, a dedicated Mother, and loved music. I will always remember her this way and am grateful for her example to me.

 When I got home from Utah, I turned around a few days later and brought the kids with me back to Utah for Grandma's funeral. I had 2 days to teach Riley and Sunny I know that my Redeemer Lives on their violins for the funeral. I was so proud of both of the kids, but especially Sunny. She was so dedicated and serious about learning it and they did an amazing job playing it!

I organized a floral arrangement for the funeral from all of the Grandkids and it looked gorgeous!

 The day of the funeral was a gorgeous day, and it truly was a day of celebrating the life of Grandma Anderson. She wanted all of her children to speak, so they all spoke of one aspect of Grandma's life. My Mom spoke of Grandma's example of Service and it was so neat! The funeral was full of Gospel learning, remembering an amazing woman, and beautiful music.

 At the funeral, I wore my Grandma's red necklace and red earrings. It was pretty special.

 My Mom was so strong and I am glad our whole family was able to be together in this hard time {all except Chrissy who is on her mission in Russia}.

This picture was in my Grandma's room when she passed, and I can't help but think how many times she would look at this and marvel in her family. Her and my Grandpa led amazing lives and their posterity will always remember their example they left behind.

This my extended family at the funeral. All but 2 who are on missionaries were at the funeral! That is so amazing! She left behind a large posterity!

Now for the Tender Mercy. A Tender Mercy is a blessing that comes when we least expect it. When Ashley and I were deciding which weekend to go for Angie's bridal shower, we kept on coming back to the first weekend in March. The weekend before and the weekend after were significantly more expensive for flights, and Ashley couldn't travel after that because she is about to have a baby. We decided on March 5th because of cheap flights. We felt so blessed that we were able to see Grandma one last time before she died, and so the fact that we were in Utah the weekend that she passed away was such a tender mercy and something that I will never forget.