Remembering Grandma

My how three years go by so quickly.....here's what my lovely sister read at Grandma's memorial June 2007:

Grandma Berta
There is a quote by Charlie W. Shedd that says- “Some of the world’s best educators are grandparents.” I believe this to be so true. I consider myself extremely blessed to have learned some of life’s greatest lessons from one of my favorite people on earth, Grandma Berta. Today is a chance for us to celebrate her and say thank you for all the ways she has brightened our lives.
Unlike many people in this room, I only knew her for the last third of her life. In spite of that, this much I know for sure:
She was passionately devoted to her family and friends. Nothing else was as important to her as those she loved: her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even though our family has not lived in Anthon since I was in elementary school, I learned this lesson even as a third grader just by watching her. Grandma Berta lived her life in service of others. She was always cooking up a storm or making a quilt for someone, and from that I gathered very early on in life that family and friends are what really matters.
Grandma Berta didn’t shy away from life’s challenges. Although her life was filled with the hardships of being widowed at a young age, and battling cancer for several years, grandma faced each obstacle with optimism, hope and tenacity. Even during her last months living in the nursing home, her positive attitude remained in tact. Through her example, I am reminded that a positive outlook really does make a big difference in any life curve thrown your direction.
Above all, Grandma Berta was just a fun, fun person to be around. Her joy for life afforded her one of life’s greatest gifts- to be lady who was much, much loved by others. Grandma didn’t know a stranger. Amazingly, she could and most oftentimes would strike up a conversation with anybody, anywhere. I remember growing up and Byron always asking her- “what chapter are you on?” whenever her questions and conversations were going on and on like the Energizer Bunny. Within the past couple of years, I gave a grandma a journal. Inside this journal were several questions asking her to reflect on her life. One of the questions in the journal asked her: “What do you think is your not-so-best quality?” To that question, grandma answered: “That she thought she talked too much.” Maybe, maybe not. Today, I choose to look at this quality of hers as a lesson- life is too short to know any strangers. Grandma took pride in taking the time to get to know others- something that has almost all but disappeared in the fast-paced day and age we live in. Something I can learn to do more of.
Each person who comes into our lives affects us in a unique way. Especially our grandparents. Today, I give thanks for the woman I am proud to call my grandmother. She has given to me some of life’s simplest, yet most meaningful gifts- the ones I carry within. Her love, laughter, fullness of life and the lessons she taught will stay with me always.