Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my Grandma Monson's birthday.  She was born October 18, 1905.  She died in 1992.  She would have been 107 today.  In honor of her, and because I still miss her, here are some of my Grandma Monson memories.  (I always called her "Grandma Elese" and everyone else-who wasn't her child or grandchild- called her "Tweet.")

• Cookies.  Chocolate chip, sugar cookies, sour cream with cream cheese frosting.  Her cookies were delish and always came with her from Salt Lake to Logandale when she came to visit our family.  They traveled in a cookie "tin." (When she died, I wanted her cookie tin-it is displayed in my kitchen.  In addition, every time I make cookies, I think about Grandma.)
• Stories.  Grandma read us stories. I loved to sit on her big long brown couch and listen to her read in her soft quiet voice.
• Roses.  See this post.
• Sewing.  Grandma was a great seamstress.  She could make anything with a sewing machine.  She often made me outfits to match hers with scraps she had left after sewing something for herself.  I still have a Raggedy Ann Doll she made for me complete with a hand-embroidered face and heart on her chest.
• FishLake.  Grandma was always with us at FishLake.  She vacationed there every year as a child, and when she was married with children of her own, she took her family there each summer.  When I was a child, we went to FishLake each summer.(Grandma and Grandpa Monson always met us there.) And now I take my children there each summer.
• Silly songs and lullabies.  Most the silly songs and lullabies I sing to my kids originated with Grandma Monson. 
• Gum and lifesavers.  Grandma always had both in her purse, and when she sent our family letters (It was too expensive to call long-distance from Salt Lake very often.), she always enclosed a stick of gum for each of us kids. 
• Thoughts, stories, and letters written in verse.  My Grandma could rhyme anything, and she taught my mom to do the same.  
• St. Patrick's Day.  Grandma Monson was Irish, and St. Patrick's Day was (and still is-her children adorn her grave with green carnations each St. Patrick's Day) a big deal:  Irish music, green decor and clothing, and of course green carnations for all.
• Education.  Grandma Monson had a 4-year university batchelor's degree.  This was highly unusual for a woman in the 1920's.  Her framed diploma and graduation picture hang on the wall in my mom's office and are an inspiration to me. 

There are many more things that I could add, but this list will have to suffice for now.  Happy, happy birthday Grandma!

Matching with Grandma 1973

(P.S. This is a little weird, but it is true.  Prior to Grandma dying, I was always little afraid of dying myself (isn't everybody?) but part of my fear stemmed from the fact that I felt like I didn't really "know" anyone on "the other side."  But once Grandma died, I felt a little less afraid of this aspect of death knowing that she would be there.  However, I would prefer to still have her here.)