I immediately thought about Grandma and how she would always have daffodils in her flower bed. It really made me miss living at home with Grandma and Grandpa right next door and all the little things we use to do together and all the things they have taught me. It also made me happy that even way out here in Wyoming I have reminders of my grandparents and the wonderful, hardworking people they are.
My mom and sisters came to visit me and when we were playing cards we kept calling Tracie "Grandma Gibb" because she didnt want to give anyone her -5 points card. It was just like when grandma use to skip herself when we played phase 10.
I remember always just walking over next door to spend the afternoon with grandma and I am sure she had a million things she needed to be doing but she never once told me to go home or said she was too busy. We would paint rocks, I would help her thread needles while she quilted (my "young eyes" were very proficient at this task), we would watch Shirley Temple, The King and I, Annie or some black and white Cary Grant (I think?) movie while she did her latest cross stitch or crocheting. When grandma started making the beautiful baby blessing dresses I thought they were the most amazing pieces of work ever. I asked grandma to make me one and sure enough that Christmas there was one under the tree for me. I cant wait to have a girl so I can finally use it! I would do grandmas dusting because that was her worst job. Grandma loved to hear the piano and would always ask me to play for her. This often times got me out of Sunday dinner dishes! I would find grandpa asleep on the blue couch in their living room. I would watch as grandpa spent every waking moment in his garden tending to each individual plant. We would go pick flowers and grandma would teach me the names of them all. I loved in the summer when the red and white rose type flowers bushes by her front door would bloom and she would always have some in a vase. I remember her taking us cousins to the dump to get stuff for our fort in the trees behind her house. I also remember her taking us to the hutterite colonies and her walking through there waving to everyone and calling them by name. I remember the tree in her back yard that looked like a horse (at least to a kid it did) and there was a rope tied to it - I was devastated when it got cut down! I thought their rock flower bed was the neatest thing ever. As well as the attic and the cool cupboards in the west bedroom. Grandma had a jar full of money from different countries that I loved to look through. She would even sometimes let me try on her jewelry that sat on her dresser in her room. I love getting cards or notes from them when it is signed either grama and grampa (I remember her saying she wasnt "grand") or G&G G.
A while ago when I was home grandma and grandpa had come to Hill Spring to church and were sitting behind me. I could hear grandma singing and it was exactly the same as I had always remembered - the most familiar and perfect voice to me. It just made me miss the days where I could walk over and see them whenever I wanted. I am so glad I have so many memories with them, each one making me smile. I am so grateful that I came from the same stalk as them - hopefully one day I will have even just a small fraction of the goodness that they have.
I have spent my life observing how generous and kind and selfless they are. I remember several occasions when I would be over there visiting and they would get a phone call and I would hear grandma say "we will be right there" and they would stop everything to go help someone who needed it. Or invite anyone and everyone over for dinner. They never judge anyone and have the unique capability of being able to see others as Christ does. Hopefully one day, if I keep trying, I will be able to emulate this trait as well. I thank you for that example.
Grandma and Grandpa I hope you know the influence you have had on me. I have really tried to pattern my life after yours and hope I can honor the Gibb family name by living a life you would be proud of.
I love you!
Leslie
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