The end of October I had the blessing of going out to Texas to spend some time with my Granny. Everything fell into place and I was heading out on a plane without kids, just me, to her and my Aunt Judy's house. They live in Tyler and Granny was able to return home after a lengthy hospital stay due to a hip replacement and a stroke. With the help of some amazing aides and hospice, Aunt Judy continues to provide the care that Granny needs in the comfort of her own home.
{Hanging out with one of Granny's aids, my new dear friend Teresa}
I had heard a little about Granny's condition, but didn't fully understand until I was with her on a daily basis the reality of the situation. Granny is 94 and has always been in remarkable health. She has spent her later years tending to her garden that she lovingly planted, doing temple work, cooking and spending time with her loved ones. Obviously as we age our bodies fail us. Granny's latest stroke has taken her eyesight and her short term memory but her wit and loving spirit still exists. 
{Beautiful flowers I picked out of Granny's flower garden}
I spent the days sitting with Granny while she ate and dozed in and out of naps. Always before eating she would make sure everyone else had ate and was taken care of. Always a care taker of others and mother to all. She was somewhat conversational during the day but in the evening is when she truely came alive. She would ask about her husband, my Papa Smith, who passed about 25 years ago. She would recount memories from years ago and see and speak to loved ones long since gone.
Sometimes I would have to remind her of who I was, but during my stay she grew use to my presence. Our nightly ritual became the "after dinner and before bed" foot rub. One night as I was sitting at her feet looking up at her as she spoke to me I began to gently massage her feet. She enjoyed it immensely and I loved having her smile down at me.
It is not unusual to have the same conversation multiple times with someone who has lost their short term memory. Every few minutes she may ask what time it is and so on. So, as Halloween drew near I began asking her what she wanted to dress up like. Everytime came the same answer (since this was a conversation we had frequently) "You need to find kids your own age to play with." I got a kick out of that. Since she lives in a gated community for the retirement group I thought I probably could go trick-or-treating there and no one would notice!
Another thing that I loved about Granny was how much she loved my cooking....NOT! I made her a pie and she said the crust was too thick. I made her turkey and stuffing and she said that the turkey was cooked too long. I made her biscuits and she didn't like them. I made her jello and she said it was "different" (and we all know what that means!) Luckily I wasn't the only one. Rosie would make her oatmeal and she would say it wasn't cooked long enough. Her grape juice was too tart and Teresa's eggs were cooked too long. Our favorite was some chicken and rice Aunt Judy made, Granny called it "one tough bird that Judy had left out in the yard too long". Bless her heart, as soon as we would start feeding her she would get this ugly face on and she promptly wanted to know who made it and what it was. No one wanted to take credit for making anything before long!
{Rosie feeding Granny}
I had a great time and made some really cherished memories on my stay. The spirit in their home is one of peace and kindness with a lot of fun mixed in. I wished I could have stayed longer. In fact, the day after I left my dad called to tell me that Granny thought I had left without saying goodbye (she didn't remember). I promptly called her and she prodded me on where I was and when I would be back. I told her I was in Utah. What was I doing there instead of with her, she wondered. I reminded her that I have 4 children that need me to feed them, do their laundry, help with homework, etc. She replied,"Oh that's right...you are a good mommy." I told her I was a good mommy because I had a good daddy and I had a good daddy because of her. I am truely blessed to have Granny in my life and through her was given an amazing father that I adore. I could have spent many more days there with Granny. Hugging her, kissing her soft face, holding her hands, combing her hair, listening to her stories and telling her I love her. It was all over too soon.
I would also like to let my Aunt Judy know what a wonderful time I had with her. She is an upbeat and positive person who takes her trials in stride and is an example to me. The Sunday I was there she got up during testimony meeting and touched my heart with her words. She is a woman of faith that leans on her HF and finds peace in Him. She cares for Granny with so much love and faithfulness. I felt very welcome in her home and enjoyed every moment. Thank you for everything....I love you.
We quarantined her in the house for the mandatory days and she started feeling better, almost immediately, after starting Tamiflu and receiving a blessing.
We were complete tourists with Utah plates and parked our big ol' Expedition in "compact" spots.
We went to Disneyland and wore buttons saying it was our birthdays.
We introduced Weston to "scary" rides like It's A Small World and broke him out of his shell a little bit!
We got to cut in front of everyone else to get on the rides cuz dad is on oxygen....who knew?!
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