HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Many of you already know that two days before Christmas Day, we received a phone call from Kevin's brother telling us that Grandma Willard had passed away. We had been with her Thanksgiving weekend the month before. She was not able, for the first time in her life, to be at all of the festivities, including Thanksgiving dinner. But we had no idea, that we would lose her the very next month. She was 91 years old, had lived a long good life, and had just lost grandpa the last Thanksgiving. All of our kids were here at the house when we got the phone call, which I am truly grateful for. We were all together, took some quiet time to remember and reflect, feeling a little bad that we had not gone to St. George the day before to visit her like we had planned. She had been sleeping on and off for the two days before she died, which probably would have prevented much visiting. That makes us feel a little better about not going to see her. Kevin had a good cry, I hugged him for a while, and we let it sink in. Today we went to the funeral. I feel bad that the married kids had to go home before they had a chance to go to it, so these pictures are posted mostly for them...I know that they would want to see them, so skip through them fast if you are not in a reflective mood.



Part of the display in the foyer.

Kira drove down from Orem to be there. She and Michaela in a quiet moment.

Grandma looked like she was sleeping. I don't think I have ever seen a person that has looked so natural and peaceful.

Time passes much too quickly...it seems like we had just done this. Grandma only had to live without grandpa for 13 months. We are grateful for that...

Kevin's older brothers, Paul and Parry.
A hug from dad.

Things were so familiar that we were even in the same places in the line that we were a year ago.

Kevin's brother Randy, only sister Teressa, and oldest brother Sherm (half hidden.)

Saying goodbye...


The day was beautiful. It couldn't have been more perfect.

We are grateful that grandma was able to spend the holidays with grandpa. We will miss them both. We will miss the homemade soup she always had waiting for us when we would visit. We will miss picking into the pretzel sticks that she always had on her kitchen counter...and the mini Twix's she had in her pantry. We will most definitely miss her Scotcheroos, the best we have ever tasted. But girls, we received a treasure from her to all of you...a CD with all of her recipes on it. We will always have a part of Grandma Willard with us.