My wonderful Grandma (Faye Grant) Robins passed away on March 13,2010. I have lots and lots of memories of my Grandma. I'm the only daughter of my grandma's only daughter so I always felt like we had a special bond! When I was a baby, we lived really close to my grandparents and I know that my Grandma tended me a lot and always had funny stories to tell me about things I did as a baby. And Grandma always had lots of good pioneer stories to tell us about our early ancestors - Jedediah Morgan Grant and Heber J Grant. For most of my growing up years, my grandparents lived about an hour away from us so we saw them on most holidays. I remember sleeping over at their house during summers and my grandma taking me shopping and loving it. And then when I was in high school, my grandparents moved 2 miles from my house and we saw them even more frequently! My grandparents came to a lot of our sporting events and musical stuff that we were involved with and then when I graduated from BYU, my grandparents were there to enjoy that with me as well.
After I graduated from BYU, my grandparents offered to let me live in their house in Arizona while they went to Washington for the summer. It was such a blessing to me that they were so generous and even let me have some roommates while they were gone! We loved that house and of course moving to Arizona is how I met my wonderful husband so I feel doubly blessed. I lived with my grandma and grandpa on and off for over 2 years (they would come back for a few months each year to Arizona). Grandma always made sure I ate enough food and made sure I was dating the right guys. She always loved to tell jokes (and usually repeated them often) and loved playing games like Mexican Train and Rummy. She loved visitors coming over and was amazing at staying in contact with friends throughout the years. She always had a story to tell about something and was great about listening and finding out about others.
My grandma was a breast cancer survivor and for the last few years was battling with another form of cancer, dealing with regular dialysis for diabetes, and had a problem with one of her heart valves. Although I know she is no longer in pain and is reunited with my mom, my aunt, my cousin and her parents.... I will really miss my grandma and remember all the fun that I had with her!
We were able to go up to Utah for the funeral last weekend and although not a happy occasion it was great to spend time with my Robins side of the family. And it was the first time that my brothers, Dad and I have all been together in over 5 years! Someone has always been on a mission but everyone is home now. Ellie loved all the attention she got from my Uncle's and her Uncles and we enjoyed meeting my cousin's kids and seeing cousins that I haven't seen in a LONG time.
My Grandma's viewing was on Friday night and Ellie was convinced that great grandma was just sleeping. So we let her think that! After the viewing most of the family went out to eat together at Marie Callendar's (the only place that could fit our large group at that time on a Friday night).
On Saturday morning was my grandma's funeral. The grandkids all sang "Nearer, My God, to Thee" which was really hard for me to get through. Trent and Kory did a musical number on the violin and piano. My Uncle Gary and Great Aunt Betty gave a life history of my Grandma and my dad spoke about the Plan of Salvation. It was a nice funeral and my brother Trent played the violin at the graveside before the grave was dedicated by my Uncle Dale. Afterwards the ward had a nice luncheon for us at the church and we were able to visit with family some more.
Saturday afternoon was spent visiting with my brothers, Dad and Debbie, Uncles, cousins and some other extended family. We watched a LOT of basketball games and enjoyed being around the Robins side of the family. Now we just need a reunion that is NOT due to a funeral!
