My sister Kari is old....in fact she's a Grandma 4 times....not even once for me......but my Grandma Peterson is not old....even though Jeremy called her that...she is just well experienced. She has been racking up experiences for over 91 years.
I am lucky....she has been living with my parents for the last few years so I get to rub shoulders with her whenever I visit. Like I said I'm lucky because not all of her grandkids get the same opportunity. My Grandma has 8 kids....yes EIGHT! She is pretty much a super woman. I had to stop at 4. Kids are expensive and they will drive you nuts. DeRoy, Reid, Rodney, Ramona, Randy, Renae, Rayona and Rela....expect everyone calls her Sue. I am not sure how all the R names started with the last 7 kids. I will have to ask her. Also, not sure why Sue is named Rela but never called that. Was it just for the sake of tradition? I know the next question that I will ask her. Anyways...to the best of my ability I can count 42 grandkids...give or take.
The last few visits I have had with her I have been asking about her life. Did you know that my Grandpa called her Mickey? She has told me about her life growing up and about her siblings. She told me about when her kids were young and working the farm. She has told me the story about Grandpa's new pickup truck and the oil about 50 times....If you don't know the story you should ask her. She never filled Grandpa in on that one! She went thru a painting phase in her life. She loves to quilt and crochet. It has been fun really getting to learn about her life experiences. She also told me that she loves to read my blog and wonders when I will post again. its been awhile.
We have been somewhat close. I lived next door to her when I was little....well not next door, but a field away. I remember the old farm house. It had lots or layers of wallpaper. It also had a stinky outhouse. I remember her old orange chairs in the living room and Grandpa telling Missy and Nicky to sic us and we ran around like ding dongs while the dogs chased us. I remember eating her chicken noodle soup, it was different then my moms.
When I was 10 or so they bought the ranch in Idaho. My parents moved up a few years later. I remember that someone killed a rattlesnake and skinned it. Grandma fried it up and tried to get me to eat it....ew....sometimes Grandma did not have my back...haha. I bet that rattlesnake skin is still somewhere stretched on a board at Randy's.
My Grandma has had the opportunity to attend most of the greatest events of my life. My wedding, when my kids went thru the temple for the first time. I am really glad that she was there for those experiences.
When Grandma went on her mission to Arkansas she used to call me a few times a month to see how I was. She told me that the best way to find investigators was to go to Garage/Yard sales. I shared this tip with my boys. I remember her car had a bumper sticker that said "This car stops at all garage sales" She loves a great deal that is for sure.
While I was in Idaho at Christmas Grandma took me downstairs to her room. She showed me special presents that she is making for her great grand kids when they get married. She is not sure how long she will be around but wanted them to have something from her...She also told me I could have one....or that I could have the quilt that she made when Grandpa had is open heart surgery in the 70's she told me she sewed every single stitch I on it. Sorry to disappointed all my cousins, but I chose the quilt. I will treasure it! Like I said earlier...I am lucky!
Anyways....my Grandma is not doing so good. She is in the hospital. She hates it there and just wants to go home. Who can blame her? I for one think that hospital beds are pure torture. Is it even possible to get comfortable on one? I went on Sunday and held her hand for awhile. It broke my heart to see her struggling. Tears just came to my eyes...Grandma would say it is because my bladder is to close to my tear ducts. My Dad says its because I am tenderhearted. My kids says it because I am a big baby. My Grandma did give me some pretty great smiles though. I wish she did not have to experience this. Not my sweet Grandma. I for one know how special grandma's are. I am running short on them. In fact she is the last one that I have. I love her!
