A couple months ago, I wrote a blog post talking about my Grandma Gilbert, and how she had been diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors. One was the size of an orange (actually bigger than one) and the other was slightly smaller. We were told at the time that she would have 1-2 months if she decided to go without treatment and 4-6 months if she chose to do radiation. Grandma and Grandpa both agreed 100% to fight it for all it was worth. This was not Grandma's first bout with cancer, in fact she had beaten it twice, so they weren't going to go out without a fight.Unfortunately for us, the Lord decided it was time for her to be done with the fight and come home just a short 8 weeks later. My sweet Grandma Joy passed away on August 25th, 2010. She was surrounded by her dear friend, her kids (except my Uncle Kent who was at the airport in Japan waiting for his flight to take off), her love of 60 years. From what I understand, it was an incredibly sweet experience as her children, husband, and friend helped her along her final journey on this Earth.
I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa over the past few months, and was able to really learn as much from my amazing Grandma as I could in that time. I am so grateful I live so close so that I could spend so much time with them.
Grandma's viewing and funeral were held a few days later, and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, kindness, and compassion from so many who came, sent card and flowers, and called to share their condolences. It was an absolutely incredible experience. The hallways were lined with flowers, as there were too many to fit in the chapel and the Relief Society room.
During the closing of the casket, my Grandpa leaned over to my mom and said it felt like he was getting sucker punched and he just had to sit there and take it. That thought absolutely broke my heart. Those of you who know me, know I have a serious weak spot for my Pops! He's my buddy and to see him go through this pain has been very, very hard. I'd never seen him cry until the day at the hospital when she was told how much time she had, and then at the funeral. Watching the tears pour down his cheek as all 26 of his Grandkids sang "Home Can Be A Heaven On Earth" at the funeral was a very humbling, and moving experience.
The funeral was beautiful, filled with teachings of the Gospel and spiritual music. I know Grandma would've wanted exactly what her children put together for her. The great grandkids and my Aunt Connie's young children sang the primary song for this year- which I can tell you moved everybody... there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Each of Grandma's six kids spoke on an attribute that their mother taught them. It was very moving to me to see how even my incredibly strong Dad and Uncle James, who have such incredible testimonies of the gospel, and have always been rocks for me to lean on any time, to see how incredibly heart broken and devastated they were to lose their mom. They both did such a great job testifying of the gospel and testifying of the amazing lessons my Grandma taught them, but when they would have to hold their breath and stop talk to compose themselves, it was more than I could handle.
Grandma lived such an incredible life, full of many hardships and health problems. But at her funeral I truly realized how incredible she really was. To have gone through so much, and to have truly put everything in her life aside to focus on the things that mattered the most to her: her husband, and her kids. It was incredible, and a lesson I will never forget. It certainly made me look at myself a little differently and decide to change my life forever.
Thank You Grandma for instilling so many incredible attributes in your children, that they could pass on to us. Your legacy will go on forever!
All of the kids and their spouses with Pops and the cemetery.
ALL 26 of the Grandkids were in attendance. Many of them had to fly in or drive for SEVERAL hours to get there, but I know it meant the world to Pops. This is all of us with Pops.
My sweet Pops and my Aunt Connie. She was born when my dad was almost 18 (14 years behind the closest sibling to her... Uncle James) and sadly lost her Mom at the age of 32. I have really gotten to know her even better over the last few months and weeks, especially, and have a newfound respect and deep love for her and her husband who took care of their kids and their house so that she could be here with Grandma for the last week of her life.
My amazing Dad, Pops, and Uncle James. James and Dad both said Grandpa was so weak they were all but carrying him up the hill. I am so grateful for family, and as I said before, these two rocks that I have leaned on many times, that Pops could also lean on in his time of need.
Grandma has 16 Grandsons, each of whom were able to be a pall bearer and it was an incredible sight to see.
