Grandma Hansom

My grandmother passed away on March 14th. She was 98 years old and had lived a good long life. She was surrounded by family that loved her very much the night before she passed and I hope that it was a comfort to her.
She had 6 children, 31 grandchildren; 95 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren. She loved her family and they were so important to her. She always wanted to hold her new babies. Even though her arm strength wasn't enough for her to craddle them in her arms she would have you lay them in her lap so she could be near them and see their faces.
As I think back on your relationship, I realize how very lucky I was to be able to spend time with her. I always enjoyed our little chats. Most of the time you could just get her started on a subject and she would tell you story after story. It was great! I loved hearing about her life and what it was like to live through so many historic times. I will miss being able to talk with her.
My junior year in high school we had to do an interview with someone that had experienced an important event in American history. I immediately thought of my grandmother and how she lived through so much. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to sit down with her and ask her questions about WWII and how she and grandpa were able to make ends meet for their family.
She was such a great woman and I am grateful to know that she is able to be with the other members of her family right now.
The whole week leading up to her funeral I kept thinking that it was going to be so hard, and that I would just be crying the whole time, and while there were a few times that I got a little teary-eyed, for the most part, I was happy. I was happy that she was back with grandpa. I was happy that she wasn't in pain anymore. I was happy to have had the time that I did have with her. I was happy to know that I will see her again.

Here is the picture that they used in her obituary. She looks so happy to me and that is how I will remember her.

This is the picture we took with my grandma after I was sealed to Patrick. I was so happy to see her sitting in our sealing room that day. I always hoped that she would live long enough to be able to be there. I knew it was a sacrifice for her to make it there and that she was probably uncomfortable but it meant so much knowing that she was there.

I love her and I hope that I can be like her. Maybe I'll have to start putting orange peels or a slice of bread in with my cookies to keep them soft like she would. :)