Grandma Dianne was always full of
surprises.
One day several years ago I
remember walking through the video store with my mom when I rounded the corner
of the shelves of DVDs and froze: there, standing with her back to me, was a little old
lady with short curly hair who looked strangely familiar.
“Mom,” I whispered across the
aisles. “That lady looks exactly like grandma!” But Grandma was at home in Lakeport, California, probably curled up with a good book and her beloved Jack Russell terrier on her couch. When she turned around, a smile spreading across her face and a
mischievous glint in her eyes, you can only imagine my excitement upon seeing
that it was Grandma, once again surprising me with her sudden appearance all
the way in Greeley, Colorado.
As I got older, one thing never
changed: whether she was arriving for Christmas, birthdays, or graduations, every
time Grandma appeared she brought with her the same excitement, joy, love, and
laughter only a visit from Gram-Grams could entail. The same excitement was
shared among my friends, who Grandma Dianne adored enough to consider them honorary
grandchildren. Everyone knew when Grandma was in town, not just because we were
lucky enough to have her move in for several weeks as a temporary house guest—she
was there for moments both big and small, from homecoming coronations to dance
recitals to the moment I walked across the stage with my diploma in hand. It’s
nearly impossible for me to imagine a chapter in my life that Grandma wasn’t
apart of in some way, shape, or form; from playing dress-up with my sister
before we were both taller than her and water gun fights in the backyard on a hot
summer day, to memorable trips to the beach and to Disneyland, Grandma made
every moment an adventure. She was full of tenacity, of vitality, of life, of
love, and of laughter that never faltered with age. She had a strong-will, a
warm laugh, a hard-head (when she wanted to!),
but most importantly, a kind heart. I like to think I inherited some traits
from her—my small toes are one feature I know for sure I got from the Owens side of the family. But more than that, what Grandma gave me is not something
you can see on the outside; what she taught me is something I will always carry
and cherish within my heart. From Grandma I learned that the number of days are
insignificant compared to the moments you share with the ones you love; Grandma
showed me that the memories you create with those who matter the most are
timeless. Every day Grandma showed me that you can never love someone too much, a feeling my mom shared with how deeply she cared about her mother, her closest confidant, and her best friend. I am
blessed to have had Grandma Dianne in my life and to have been infinitely loved by someone
whom I adored.
Even when she wasn’t with us in
Colorado, Grandma was apart of my life, always just a phone call away from hearing the updates about my friends, my classes, and my life. I am so
lucky to have had such a close bond with my Grandma that I always felt like she
was never as far away as it seemed. And now, although I may see a little old
lady among the aisles at the grocery store, maybe even buying the same gummy worms Grandma loved, and know that it really can’t be my Grandma Dianne, I know that she’s still with me. She is
still not as far away as she seems because she, and the amazing memories and
moments I’ve shared with her throughout my life will always be in my heart. I love you, Grandma!
Courtney
Courtney
 |
| "Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional." (Walt Disney) Thank you for always making me laugh, Gram Grams! I love you! In loving memory of Martha Dianne Grover, June 11, 1946-March 12, 2015 |
