In lieu of my husband writing to you this week, I inquired if he wouldn’t mind if I would be able to write this week’s edition. He didn’t mind and I hope you don’t either. The reason I asked to write the column is because this is a way for me to honor my grandma Rosella who passed away the last day of May after being on this Earth for 97 years, two months, and eight days.

97 years, two months, and eight days. Many memories created during that time.

As in life, moments transpire and memories are created. Most memories are vivid. Some memories begin to fade. While other memories change. Memories are recalled in an instant while others need just a little prodding to reveal themselves.

For Grandma, the last 8 or so years, her memories began to fade more and more. I began to wonder if this is how Grandma Rosella felt at the beginning of her coexistence with Alzheimer’s. Well, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will reminisce to make those memories stay vivid.

In reminiscing, most of the memories of Grandma I recall came from the time when Grandpa and Grandma lived on the farm south of Webster, SD. I miss Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. This place holds so many memories. So many family gatherings. So many childhood lessons.

The memories of the farm, Grandpa Ray, and Grandma Rosella are extensive. The farm is where I was able to spend so much of my childhood and teenage years. I may not have spent as much time there if I didn’t have a little competitive streak. You can’t let your older sister get all the rewards such as getting extra candy because she was the one helping Grandma. Oh no! I love candy! And I wanted that treasure trove all to myself so I would ask to go to the farm whenever possible to help Grandma, and even though the intention wasn’t to learn life’s lessons, it actually did.

On the farm you learned sustainability before it was popular. You learned hard work pays off. You learned as Grandma would say “Haste makes waste” when Grandpa’s impatience and temper with fixing the farm machinery created a bigger issue so off Grandma and I would go to a bigger town 45 minutes away to retrieve a part for the combine or tractor.

There were other rewards, lessons, and memories that came to be by being on the farm and with Grandma…. Dancing with Grandma in the kitchen to Dolly, Kenny, or Barbara Mandrell; having a treat of Schwan’s ice cream; biking along the pasture road with the prairie summer wind blowing through your hair and learning about nature; feeding the farm animals; learning to bake; and playing cards in the middle of the afternoon.

On a rare occasion, we would have the opportunity to take a nap in the afternoon. Oh, one time, I heard someone snoring from Grandpa and Grandma’s bedroom during one of these special nap days. So I tiptoed over to their bedroom. There Grandma was snoring gently. When she woke, I told her she must have been really tired because she was snoring. Grandma denied that for decades because she said “I don’t fall asleep during the day, and I don’t snore.”

This past weekend, I inquired with my aunt and cousins about some of their favorite memories of Grandma. The memories were about riding the stuffed animal Holstein cows they had in their living room, dancing in the kitchen, and of course, the foods Grandma made. But the favorite memory is the love Grandpa and Grandma had. This was inspiring to see.

One of those loving memories I recall time and time again occurred one afternoon after dinner (I’m from the eastern part of SD so lunch is known as dinner), Grandpa cornered Grandma in the kitchen to give her a peck on the cheek before heading back out to do chores and Grandma was giddy and giggling while “fighting” him away, but Grandpa succeeded with his quest and planted a great big kiss on Grandma.

You knew Grandpa loved and respected Grandma throughout their marriage even when the disease of Alzheimer’s began in Grandma. Grandpa stood right by her and helped her because he knew she needed something when she didn’t know she needed yet.

Thank you Grandma for the memories. I love you and miss you.