Goodbye Grandma Webb

Yesterday at about 2:30 in the afternoon I received a phone call from my dad that my grandmother had passed away. This wasn't a surprise, we've all been expecting it and preparing for it since she first moved in with my parents about 18 months ago. Grandma was amazing and had been struggling since last Thursday; but she refused to ruin Jennie's wedding or mother's day, so she hung around the few extra days. She always was stubborn.
My grandmother was a beautiful woman who taught me many things about life. Grandma had a huge backyard full of flowers, but my favorite was the blackberry bush. I remember dragging her stool outside to pick all of the blackberries I could reach. I would come in with my mouth stained black and my arms all scratched up from the thorns. Every afternoon we'd watch Sesame Street, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and then Perry Mason together. Whatever craft Mr. Roger made on his show, Grandma would gather the supplies and we'd do it that afternoon. We'd go on field trips to the horse swings at the park, or walk through the international flower gardens. Grandma loved to pack picnics, and her favorite sandwich was a BLT. Jennie loved peanut butter, but I never did so Grandma would pack her picky granddaughter a B sandwich - just the bacon since I didn't like the L or the T either. On hot summer days we'd run through the sprinklers until our lips were blue and we were shivering with cold. Then Grandma would call us in and wrap us in a quilt and give us hot chocolate. I remember one sunny afternoon when I'd learned to jump rope I expressed some doubts as to whether she could do it too. Grandma jump roped just fine - in her kitchen to prove she could. Grandma taught me to sew and made beautiful sweaters, quilts, and afghans. When the doctor told her she couldn't crochet anymore because of her arthritis, she went home and made three tableclothes for me, my sister, and my cousin Becca for our weddings. I am so excited that I am having a little girl who can wear all of the sweaters that Grandma made for me over the years. When I was little I even asked her to make a sweater for my Ernie doll, and she did - without a pattern. I loved nothing more than cuddling in the queen sized pink quilt she made for me when I was 8. When I was sick, I'd ask my grandma if I could sleep with her Wendy doll. This was a porcelain doll with beautiful blonde ringlets, and yes she let a sick 5 year old sleep with her. Wendy is currently in my front room on a top shelf where she can watch over us all.
I am so grateful for the beautiful influence this woman has had in my life, and I am even more grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that I will get to see her again. I am glad that she was sealed in the temple for time and all eternity to my grandpa and my mom, making us an eternal family. I am a little jealous that she gets to hug our Savior, kiss my grandfather, and play with my brother and my Kaity. I know now that Kaitlyn will be a stubborn little girl, cause my grandmother will definitely teach her how. I am so happy that my little girl will be named after a strong woman, and have a wonderful role model to look up to.
I will miss my grandma, Vera Lenore Pearson Webb, but I know that she is not far away, and she is out of pain and finally happy and reunited with her husband. She raised nine kids, and has numerous grandkids and great-grandkids to continue living on the lessons and love that she taught us. I hope that I can always remember her generous attitude, fun spirit, and beautiful example.