A week of reflection- My grandma.

This has been an emotional week for our family. My grandma passed away Wednesday night after she had a heart attack Monday.

My relationship with my grandma was a close one. She has always been an important part of my life. She was one of the main reasons I was baptized into the church. Grandma encouraged me to take the missionary discussions at her home. Since then, the church has played such a central role in my life. My testimony carries me through hard times and happy times. I am so grateful to my grandma for laying the foundation of faith for me. When I decided to go on a mission and through the temple, she said it was time for her to go through the temple too. Later she told me that one of the reasons she decided to go to the temple is that she wanted to be there for me when I went. I was also honored to be there with her when she went back to the temple years later, in a wheelchair no less, to be sealed to my grandpa. I have many other fond memories with her, but I am so grateful for her hand in those significant milestones in my life. Now that I am a mom I have a greater appreciation for the role a grandmother plays in helping raise her grandchildren. She was always there for me whenever I needed or even wanted to be with her.

Her passing has also had a great impact on me. It has been a time of reflection on her life and what I believe about the life after this one. The human heart does not need to be taught that there is life after death. The heart simply knows it because it is. When someone you know and love dies, you sense that there is more to who they are than just a body breathing in and out. Although I feel sad that she is no longer here with me, I feel certain that I will see her again. Knowing more about what is to come for her has brought a sense of comfort and peace. I look forward to a happy reunion someday. Until then, I just want to say "Love you Grandma"