Up in the Clouds

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*I was the first one to actually graduate from Oregon State, I’m sure that made my grandfather and grandmother proud. I know they were excited when I got in.
*I read my grandmother’s high school yearbook back when there was only one high school in Salem (now there are six). My grandfather signed a bunch but my favorite thing he said was, "I hope and I am sure you will be around to share my millions."
*Grandmother took me and a girlfriend to Palm Springs to walk down El Paseo street at night and look at all the shops. Even though they were way too big she let us borrow fur coats to wear so we looked fancy.
*Grandmother made little hotcakes for breakfast that were quite famous in our family. I believe my cousin Ryan holds the record for the most eaten in one morning at 47 or something ridiculous. I always ate them with butter and sugar. {Note: Brent thinks this number is lower, who remembers?}
*Grandmother tried the Atkin’s diet before it was popular. My friend Brooke and I were visiting and she made an avocado salad that consisted of half an avocado, mayonnaise, and bacon. It was so gross.
*Grandmother though her gravy was the best at Thanksgiving because we all slathered it on our turkey and it almost always ran out. But the truth was every year she got up earlier and earlier to start the turkey and it was SO DRY!!
*My grandmother made each of her five grandchildren a scrapbook with really funny captions and I think it is one of the things that made me want to scrapbook!
*I don’t know why but you couldn’t call grandmother and grandfather grandma and grandpa, only my older cousin Dustin occasionally got away with calling her grams.
*Grandmother and grandfather loved stuff from Mexico and had tons of artwork from there in their living room. They did not "get" my abstract stuff, but appreciated me for being creative.

I’m so thankful for my grandparents and what time I did get to spend with them. I really miss our whole family getting together. After my grandfather’s death we never did another holiday together. And now all the grandchildren are out of school and all over. I am looking forwards to seeing my cousins at the funeral on Tuesday because I miss them a lot. My grandparents were really good to us grandchildren. Because of the trust fund they set up for me I was able to start the Ribbon Jar and I know they would be really proud of me because they were entrepreneurs and always getting into a new venture.

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take.

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7 Comments

  1. Amber, so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Excellent job in telling a bit of her story so that she will live on in the memory of your readers’ thoughts and well as your own for life. WHen God takes a life he makes a new-Cooper is wonderful-looks like Stacy… alot!
    When you’re up to it you should give me a call. My cell doesn’t work at all, not even messages. 541.742.5547 is where I am at.
    Thinking of you.

  2. Hey – sorry to hear about your grandmother. 🙁 You are totally awesome at getting her story down in writing though. now when you are up for it, you’ll have the journaling for a fabulous layout.
    chin up!! 🙂

  3. Hey Amber. Sue told me about your grandmother and I had to come over and read. I am very sorry for your loss. I have some thing for you, give me a call when you are in Albany next time – hopefully soon.
    Angela

  4. So sorry to read about the loss of your beloved grandmother. What a beautiful tribute you’ve written to her here–I’m sure she’d be so proud of you and what you’re doing in your life. Many blessings to you!
    Amanda (your backtack partner!)

  5. Amber, reading your fabulous tribute to a fabulous lady I almost feel like I know her. Imagine how lucky you were to really know her, all my love, Kay

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