JoAnne Gayle Nelson-Henderson

 

My grandmother passed away on Nov. 20 2009.
She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer a year or so ago.  Her death was expected. 

Last April my family took a trip to Colorado to see her knowing that it would most likely be the last time.  For most of my children this may be the only memory they have of her.
I suppose I should be feeling more remorse, but I am really not sad.  My grandfather passed away in 1996 and they had been married since she was 16.  Without him, I don't think she knew what to do.  Her kids and grand kids were all grown up and doing well... there just wasn't much that she had left to do and she missed him fiercely.  She couldn't really take care of herself and she was incredibly independent.  I know she is happier now and so incredibly excited to be with her companion.
It brings me such peace to know that they are now together.
Grandma was an accomplished painter and gave us many of her paintings.  She painted the Mesa Arizona temple where Matt and I were sealed, the mountain ridge we looked at from our home in Texas, and a spot in Germany among other things.
Sariah was given the middle name of JoAnne after my grandmother.
Three days after she passed away Matt met me at the Chiropractors office and said that something strange had happened that morning. He was snuggling in bed with Sariah as usual when she looked at the door and asked "Daddy, who is that lady".  Matt sat straight up at this question but did not see anything and couldn't figure out what she was referring to.  He told her he didn't know and she didn't mention it again.  When he told me, I thought it was odd, but didn't think too much of it.  Later that day he sent me a message asking if we had a picture of Grandma that I could show Sariah.  I found one and then he emailed me the one above.  When I showed it to her she was intrigued and asked "who is that lady?"  I told her that was her grandma-ma and she said, "well, Grandma said hello to me this morning".
Oh, to be that young again. To know without a doubt that your grandma had come to say hello to you and not feel the need to explain it away.

Michael has always loved to draw and recently Serenitie has started to do some incredible landscape scenes.  I am so thankful that both of my children have inherited this talent.

Grandma wasn't really that involved with the great grandkids and wasn't a typical grandma in many ways, but I know she shares a special connection with my children.

On a funny note, my Grandmothers maiden name was Nelson, Her married name was Henderson.  Guess she felt the need to maintain some of her identity when she got married.  Then I followed suite and went from a Henderson to an Olson!

  

We love you Grandma!