Monday, April 26, 2010

Grandma Packer

Sadly, our dear, sweet, Grandma Packer passed away today.

I have so many wonderful things to say about her. She truly is a jewel and extremely special.

These are the most recent pictures of her...the top two are at our Packer Family Holiday party in December 2009, and the last is on March 17, 2010 when we took dinner over.

It's just been in the past few weeks that Phillip and I have talked and finally came to terms that if Grandma were to pass away soon, it would be okay. We would be okay. We've been so selfish for so many years, wanting her to hang on, even though Grandpa has been missing her for some time now and awaiting her arrival. That says a lot about a person doesn't it. She has been in a lot of pain for quite a while, but just hasn't been ready to go.

Family is everything to her...not material things, not status, but family. She lived so humbly...never even had her driver's licence. So content in her little Kaysville home that Grandpa built her.

So many times I find myself in situations asking myself, what would grandma do? She seemed to handle everything perfectly... so non judgemental. Loved and excepted everyone.

She let us live with her for 6 months (five years ago) before we moved to our town home. It was good timing for both of us, because she was alone and battling cancer at the time, therefore we helped each other out. I look back at those months and cherish them.

Phillip always said that she made him feel like he was her favorite (but I have a feeling she made all her grand children feel that way...I say that because she made me feel that way too.) Every birthday was remembered.

She's an angel. Christlike. A perfect example.

We love you Grandma and think the world of you. We miss you already. We honor what a beautiful, good, and full life you have lived. Thank you for loving us.

Phillip and I with Grandma at the Packer Holiday Party
Grandma Vi Packer with most of her Great Grandchildren
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Eating Green in the Pink kitchen.

9 comments:

The Kailing Family said...

i couldn't have said it any better Tiff! thank you!

Heidi E said...

Thank you Tiff for putting it so well. I have some of the same thoughts but I for some reason can't express them like you can. She made us all better people. I truely believe that we were all her favorites and she treated us all that way. What a remarkable lady! Grandpa has to be so happy right now! Finally they are together again and aren't we so happy for them.

Heidi

Kay said...

Thank you Tiffany for your wonderful thoughts about Mom. I was sitting at my computer trying to write some of my feelings about the happenings of today, but too many thoughts came at once and it was a jumble. Your comments about Mom helped me sort my thoughts and feelings out, so I think now I can get some order to what I write. You are a sweetie.

Harmony said...

I thought I was her favorite granddaughter!!! :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tiffany. I will miss her too. Grandma was an incredible woman, and I know I will never do better if I can just grow up to be like her.

Jeff said...

And here I thought I was her favorite. I hope I can age with as much grace and dignity as she did, with as much capacity for love as she showed to all of us.

Deidre said...

I felt like I was her favorite too! She just adopted people. She treated me like a granddaughter before Brad and I were even engaged. Thanks for posting your feelings. We love and miss her!

Andy and Kimi said...

Very sweet Tiff. I'm so sorry for your loss, what a blessing to know she's in full health and with her sweetheart again! I feel lucky that I, on occasion, got to meet and talk with Grandma Packer.

Keith and Trish said...

Beautifully written Tiff! Great pictures, too. She truly was an elect lady. How happy she must be now. Hold on to the sweet memories forever!

Nana Mare said...

Nana Mare said...Tiffany, I have always told you how beautifully you write on your blog. So beautiful that I wa impressed Kay read it at Gramma's funeral! I will truely miss her and I love her.