Grandma Ila's Birthday

Today is Grandma Ila's birthday. It doesn't really get easier as the time goes by. I miss her as much today as I ever have. She was an amazing woman and raised an exceptional family. We were her greatest pride and joy.

Here is a post from the past:

Yesterday would have been Grandma Ila's birthday. We always had a cookout to celebrate her birthday when she was alive. Uncle Steve and Robert usually made an appearance and I know she enjoyed the fuss we made about it. I think about her often, especially this time of year. I think maybe that is because of Memorial Day and how important it was to her.  She trained us well on how you place flowers on a grave. In case you didn't know you spread the flowers out and remember to stake them down so they don't tip over. Grandma taught us the importance of respecting our ancestors and the sacrifices they made for us.

Grandma graduated from college when there weren't many women who pursued and education after high school. She always called USU "The AC" (Agricultural College), because that's what it was called when she went there. She lived in Logan and would ride the train home to Wellsville on the weekends to see her family. Her family couldn't afford to make the trip to Logan to see her graduate so none of her family was there to see her graduate. After graduation she went on to teach elementary school for years. Grandma Ila taught us about service and the importance of helping others. There was a guy here in town who had some issues and he would walk all over. Grandma would always pick him up and give him a ride and $5.00 even when Mom and Susan would ask her not to pick him up. Grandma often volunteered for projects with no intention of doing them. She was actually volunteering for us to to do it and knew we would come through for her. We put on funeral dinners for several of her cousin's families when they brought them home to Wellsville for burial after living and dying in other places.

I really enjoyed living in her home for several years. I felt of her presence several times when I was having a hard time. It was really hard to move out and see someone else move in. It's been nice to have Robert own it for the past 7 years and it will be hard to see it be sold to someone else now.

Grandma was a major influence in my life and with her living next door she was like a second mother to me. We butted heads more than a few times, but she loved me so much and was my greatest cheerleader. She was so proud of all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She celebrated all of our achievements. She loved having Brooklyn living in her basement the last year of her life. I think she lived longer because of the joy Brooklyn brought her.

It was a privilege to care for her in her final years. She did so much for all of us over our lifetimes and it was an honor to return some of that to her. It was a great experience for us and it brought all of us closer together as a family. I love you Grandma and I miss you everyday! Thank you for the lessons you taught me. I've thought of your "Life is Hard" lecture you loved to give several times over the last few years. I wish you could have been here for me, but I felt of your love and support even though you were only here in spirit.