I have so glad that school is finally out.
I am grateful to have Hannalyn home and safe and all to myself. Well, mostly to myself.
I am excited for adventures and warm weather.
I am looking forward to creativity and fun.
I am optimistic that there will be good things to look forward to on the other side.
It's finally summer. <3
Memory is an interesting thing.
Memories can be sharp or dim. Full of noise or silent. Painful or healing. You can remember a sound, a sight, a smell, or just a feeling.
I always knew it was a tragedy when someone lost their memory. But, like most things in life, I didn't realize how truly awful it was until it happened to someone I love.
My grandpa (my dad's dad) has been losing his memory for several years. When they still lived in SLC, he would remember me, but not my husband or daughter. Or if he was reminded of my name, he could talk to me during a visit. Now, though, he usually pretends to know me because he sees my grandma interact with me.
But he doesn't know who I am.
He doesn't remember holding me as a baby.
He doesn't remember playing the flute as I played the piano and teaching me about accompaniment.
He doesn't remember giving me that flute and helping me learn to play.
He doesn't remember making me cassettes full of Disney and Broadway and inspirational music.
He doesn't remember that I knew how to call him long-distance.
He doesn't remember fixing my aunt's bike for me so I could ride it ... and then encouraging me to go down the big hill by their house even though I was scared.
He doesn't remember coming to my plays or my graduation.
He doesn't remember carrying my wedding dress into the temple for me on my wedding day.
...
And it sucks.
It really really sucks.
Today, though. Today, I got a little bit of a miracle.
I went to the temple for a later session than the one I usually attend and as I was driving up, I saw my grandparents walking in. I was surprised and delighted to see them. I hurried in after them, helped them get into the elevator, and my grandma saved me a seat in the session. Sitting next to her was so fantastic. I haven't had that opportunity since I went through the temple for the very first time 13 years ago.
We got to talk in the Celestial room as we waited for my grandpa to come in, and maybe it's just because I was sitting next to my grandma, but as he walked over he said to someone standing nearby as he pointed to me, "that's our granddaughter".
He did it again after I'd walked them down the hall to the elevator. He said to someone else waiting "this is our granddaughter".
I wasn't sure I'd ever hear him say that again.
It was a piece of heaven having it happen today.
