Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday was my Birthday. Ben and I celebrated last month by going to Pippin.

The girls were super sweet. They made and wrapped a gift for me which was really neat.

 They made music for me so that we could play it on the piano and sing songs together. So cute!

 We went to a french restaurant for breakfast which was really nice- and very delicious!

My mother-in-law made a wonderful dinner for us. We actually celebrated 4 Birthdays- mine, Ben's sister, her husband, and her sister-in-law. It's fun to share a Birthday with so many so we can all celebrate together.

 The girls blew out the candles

 I got to hold the baby

 Camille immediately blew out the candles, as soon as they were lit

It was a great day spending time with the most important thing: Family. Life is pretty dang good!

Memories of Grandma

One of my grandma's concerns was wondering if anybody would remember her after she died.

I suppose that is a legitimate concern- I think a lot of people fear that. However, with the lives that my grandmother touched, I don't see how she could possibly ever be forgotten.

I certainly want my kids to know about both of their grandma's. So, I thought I would post a few memories that I have of her so that my kids can read about her, and pass these stories on to their kids.

Grandma was a go-getter. She was a do-er. She was spunky and always laughing. She wanted to DO stuff and LIVE life.

Right after we were married, Ben and I drove up to Blackfoot and visited my grandparents for a couple of days. When they heard that Ben had never been to Yellowstone, my grandparents immediately planned a day trip to take Ben to see Old Faithful. The next day, we went. That was standard for Grandma- she loved Yellowstone, and if someone hadn't been there, she figured there was no time like the present to go- so why not?

Some other memories of Grandma:

-Turkey Foot. She LOVED Turkey Foot, and would stay up late playing it (like we did the night before we went to Yellowstone- she had way more energy than both Ben and me!)

-She laughed a lot.

-I will never forget when I visited her during the Clinton scandal. I was very surprised when she said, "I don't care what he does in the bedroom, that doesn't determine whether or not he's a good president!" She was highly upset about that, and it very much surprised me.

-Fishing! She always took us fishing- and always sang "Fishy, fishy, in the brook- bite upon Christina's hook"

-She was a gourmet cook. I always said that she can turn tuna fish sandwiches into a gourmet meal- and she could

-She was an excellent seamstress. I have a couple of quilts from her that I love. Also, she taught me to crochet. I crocheted a pink scarf and gave it to her one year for Christmas because she taught me how.

-She always drove. Always. It wasn't until I was much older that I learned that Grandpa even knew how to drive.

-She had a great memory. She always knew what was going on with everybody in the family, and when I called her she would catch me up.

-Bowling. Bowling. Bowling. She LOVED bowling!

-She also loved watching golf on TV. That one I didn't understand- I still don't.

-She and Grandpa would often show up at our house in Seattle unannounced. As happy as we always were to see Grandma and Grandpa, the house often was not in a condition to welcome guests. This caused my mother great anxiety, but Grandma and Grandpa really didn't care.

-I remember grandma being very non-judgmental. I am sure she had opinions, but she seemed to keep those opinions to herself. 

-She worked for 20 years at JCPenny, and she often talked about her work experience. She loved her time at "Penny's"

There are many other things, of course. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, I didn't know her as well as I wish. But, she will be remembered!

Family Time

The best part about a funeral is being able to reconnect with family.

Most of my family was there, except one sister who was in Europe for a Mediterranean Cruise (it's a hard life). We also reconnected with several cousins who I haven't seen or talked to in years. We are even planning a future family reunion with them.

Funerals definitely put things in perspective and make you realize what is important in life.

One of my great regrets about growing up in Seattle is not knowing my cousins, who all grew up in Blackfoot. I wish I knew my grandparents better than I did. Even though we went to Blackfoot every summer growing up, I don't know my extended family very well. That is one thing I am really trying to focus on with my girls- even though we don't live in Seattle, I sincerely hope and pray that they will have relationships with their cousins. That is important to me, and that's why I do make going to Seattle a priority. Hopefully it helps.

It was awesome to stay up late talking to my family- even if I am so exhausted! The 6 hour car ride also allowed for some great catching up with my sisters.

I really, truly, have been blessed with a wonderful family. I was talking to some friends about this the other day. I grew up in a very loving, happy household. Yes, there was fighting. And yes, I was a bratty teenager with lots of anger issues. But overall, I have nothing but happy memories about my upbringing. Because of that, I assumed that everybody's family was happy. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that a happy family is really hard to come by and that I really am blessed.

Of course,  I also recognize that where you are going is much more important than where you came from. I have the opportunity to pass on a happy, loving household to my children- a legacy that my grandparents started. I have a lot to live up to.

I know I am rambling. I have a lot of thoughts going through my head. Funerals, thankfully, don't happen every day, and they allow for some contemplating and reflecting. I apologize for being so scatterbrained.

The overarching feeling that I have is of gratitude. Gratitude for the legacy that grandma and grandpa started, and gratitude for Ben and the legacy that we are starting with our family. Life truly is beautiful.

 This is my parents favorite restaurant, and we got to all enjoy it together.

Funeral

The funeral was beautiful. All the grandkids and great grandkids sang "How Great Thou Art." Hundreds of people came. My Aunt Janet gave a beautiful life sketch where I learned that Grandma used to be an excellent oboe player and athlete. She had 6 kids under 6, and my aunt asked her once how she did it, and she simply said, "I just woke up and did it." That sounds like her.

I told myself I wouldn't cry, but then all of us were sitting with the family for some final minutes before the funeral started. The funeral director said if anybody wanted to say good-bye one last time before they closed the casket now was the time.

Grandpa got up and went to Grandma and gave her one final kiss. I wasn't the only one who lost it! It was the sweetest moment I have ever seen, one I will cherish for the rest of my life. Don't we all want what they had? A love that lasts through 67 years of marriage and 6 kids? After all of those years of kisses and memories, it all came down to one final good-bye until they meet again in Heaven. It was beautiful.

My pictures are a hodge podge. I was the only person taking pictures, so I felt awkward. But, now I realize I should have taken more because I was the only one who took pictures.

At any rate, it was beautiful and I am very grateful I went.

Legacy

Grandma and Grandpa shared 67 years together, which came out to 6 kids, 26 grandkids, 72 great grandkids, and 2 great grandkids. Of course, that number will only grow and grow.

It is pretty awesome to think of the legacy they left behind. I remember having a college roommate who talked about how proud she was of her family name. As embarrassing as "High" is for a last name, I am so proud and honored to be a High. Grandma and Grandpa had something special.

If you look at their resumes, there isn't anything fancy or worldly on it. They were humble farmers who never had worldly titles, acclaim, or tons of money. But, they knew what mattered: Family. Without a doubt, they put family first. That is the legacy I want to pass on to my kids.

It's pretty awesome stuff.

Grandma's Passing

It's hard to know where to start when your Grandma passes away.

We have known for awhile that Grandma wouldn't be with us much longer. She has been sick since May, and we knew it was just a matter of time.

Grandma passed away last Wednesday, and Monday was her funeral. Thankfully, I was able to fly out for it. Ben took off work so I didn't have to take kids, which was wonderful. I flew into SLC where I met my sisters Stephanie and Michelle, and Michelle's daughter Freya. We drove up to Blackfoot.

I'll try to break this up into segments instead of one long post. Here are some pictures of the viewing, which was held on Sunday night. The line wrapped around and around- so many people came to pay their respect to Grandma.

 Here is my Grandpa:

 He was incredibly stoic the entire night. He stood for over two hours- I don't think he sat down the whole time. He is very weak, but it was obvious he wanted to do right by Grandma. When I first saw him, I thought he looked healthy- but incredibly sad. The loss of his wife of 67 years was/is very hard on him- as I am sure we can all understand.

Grandma and Grandpa celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary the day before she died. Grandma really wanted to make it until that milestone. My Aunt Janet said that on the 23rd, their anniversary and the day before she died, they held hands all day long.

Grandma and Grandpa were always together- they did everything together. Apparently grandma's dad did not approve of their marriage, and he said they would only last for 2 years. Obviously that didn't turn out! They were the sweetest couple. According to my mom and aunt, at the end, grandma wasn't as nice as one would maybe like (she started to have a little bit of dementia and made a lot of false accusations). Their kids thought it would be best for her to go to a nursing home- in part for Grandpa's safety. Grandpa refused. Even though Grandma had started being a little abusive, he couldn't stand the thought of having her away from him. He was constantly right by her side through everything. Now he says he will be right behind her in passing. I don't doubt it- I am sure he will die of a broken heart at not being able to be with Grandma. It really is the sweetest thing.

In Memorium: Grandma's Obituary

Sarah “Nadine” High, 82, of Blackfoot, Idaho passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born February 19, 1932 in Menan, Idaho the daughter of Hans Emanuel Olaveson and Martha Denning Olaveson.

On September 21, 1947 she married Leo F. High in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Nadine was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She retired from JcPenney after 20 years.

She was president of the Blackfoot Women’s Bowling Association and has traveled all over the country attending bowling tournaments. As a 4-H leader she started the first knitting club for Bingham county. Nadine and Leo were the official Blackfoot Youth Soccer Association Grandparents.

She enjoyed fishing, boating, the outdoors, hunting, playing all sports activities, especially softball, sewing and quilting. She was a wonderful cook providing for her family. She loved her family and attended and supported them in all their activities.

She is survived by her husband, Leo, of Blackfoot; children, Steven (Glenna) High of Shelley, Idaho, Gregory (Candice) High of Blackfoot, Ronald (Margo) High of Seattle, WA, Raymond (Vicki) High of Blackfoot, Brian High of Seattle, WA and Janet (Steven) Huffman of Blackfoot; siblings, Edith Crook of Idaho Falls, Dell Olaveson of Menan, and Joyce Stallings of Rigby, ID; 26 grandchildren and 72 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, fourteen brothers and sisters and a daughter-in-law, Doris High.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 29, 2014 at the Blackfoot 15th Ward, 1650 Highland Dr., Blackfoot, Idaho.

The family will meet with friends and family on Sunday evening September 28, 2014 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave., Blackfoot, Idaho and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be in the Grove City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Stephanie and Tiffany at Encompass Hospice for all of they love and care they’ve given these last few months.

Viewing

Sunday September 28, 2014, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at The Hawker Funeral Home