Grandma Peterson

My aunt is putting together a memory book and asked all of us to write down a memory of Grandma or one of the things that she taught us. I am really missing my Grandma today and thought I would post my letter. The picture is of Grandma and Grandpa when they visited my parents in Washington DC when I was born. I was just four days old when the picture was taken.

When I think of Grandma there isn’t a single big memory that stands out but rather a series of little things that together create who Grandma was to me. It was a tradition in our family to spend a week with Grandma when we turned eight. My week with Grandma was a little bit hard because her quiet, orderly house was such a change from our own chaotic, kid-filled house, but during that week I learned a lot of things that I have never forgotten. Grandma wanted to teach me how to cross-stitch, so after practicing on some of her scraps, we went to the store and I picked out purple embroidery thread and then worked on my “I am a child of God” cross-stitch each day until I had finished it. We always had two small cups, one with orange juice and one with milk, when we ate breakfast at Grandma’s. I always thought it strange but cool that she did that, now I realize it was her way of providing a more balanced meal. She saved everything and used things until they were totally used up. She liked to have her feet and shoulders rubbed and was always very complimentary and appreciative of whoever could give her a good rub.

Grandma didn’t like change and believed that there was a right way to do things and that was the way they should be done. She always got her chores done before she played. She taught all of her children, grandchildren, and even caregivers how to properly make a bed. She kept her house and yard clean and orderly. She was very obedient to the gospel and did her best to serve in the church.

I think that all of those things have played a part in shaping who I am (even though I don’t make my bed properly and my house and yard are not kept to her standards). That being said, I think that the things Grandma taught me while she was sick have had the greatest impact on my life. It was an honor and a blessing in my life to have been able to be a small part of the crew that took care of her. It was a deeply spiritual experience and was also an opportunity to watch Grandma become unburdened by the “stuff” of this world and truly become as a little child. It was during this time that I learned the importance of enduring to the end of this mortal life. I learned that it is okay to be scared. I learned that you never feel like you have done everything that you could have and that is okay too. I learned that in the end I want to be surrounded by my children and grandchildren. I learned that a loving family is the most important thing a person can have.

I am so thankful for the legacy and rich heritage that Grandma has left behind.