I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS EVER!!

Suzie, DeeJay, Liz, Jody and Me
Kristi and I.

After I called Jody to let her know I wouldn't be going to FHE, she sent out a mass email to all of our friends to let them know about my cute grandma. Most of them had met her at some point and some teased her. I got lots of phone calls and visits and emails telling me how sorry they were that she was gone. I had seveal come to the viewing to offer me moral support. It was so nice to see their faces there and let me know that they cared. Kristi came first and then Perla. Later Jody, Suzie, DeeJay and Liz all came. The next day, Kriss and DeeJay came to the funeral. I hope they know how much that meant to me. They are awesome and I will love them all forever. They all went in on a gift for me. They bought me a really pretty plant and a Willow Tree statue. It is beautiful and will always remind me of my grandma. I am so blessed to have them for friends. I love you guys forever!!

(Disclaimer: Not all of my friends were able to make it to the viewing or funeral... I just put the pictures on of those who did. I had many more friends call or go in on the gift they gave to me. I wanted to make sure that no one felt left out.)

My Sweet Grandma Rowberry

I know this is a little late, but I couldn't write about this right after the fact. I am just getting to it now, and I hope I can portray my thoughts and feelings of this event as I felt them.

On February 16, 2009, my sweet Grandma Rowberry passed away. I was sitting at home doing my hair and makeup... getting ready to go over to Homestead to visit her. My dad had just left there and stopped to tell me that she was still sleeping. Only about 1/2 hour later I got a phone call from my dad. He told me that Grandma had passed away. I told him that she didn't because I hadn't seen her yet. He said that he and my mom were on their way over to Homestead and would I like to come. I told him I would, I just had to get dressed. I raced to finish getting ready in the 2 minutes it took to drive from their house to mine. We walked into Homestead and kind of waited for my dad to make sure we could go in. When we walked into her room, she was lying peacefully in her bed. She just looked like she was asleep, only this time no sound came out of her mouth. I was of course crying and kept telling my dad how sorry I was for him. He told me that he knew she was finally with my Grandpa and Uncle David. She has been without either of them since 1976, and 1975. I was only 6 months old when my grandpa died. She was ready to be with them again.

So I walked over to the bed and gave her a kiss. I then sat on the bed with her and just rubbed her leg. I thought about how happy she was to be with Grandpa and Uncle David again. I could just imagine the reunion.

We sat in her room while my dad and mom called the rest of the family. It was a very spiritual experience to be one of the few there at this time. The spirit was very strong, and I could just feel my family around me. I will treasure this experience forever!!

The planning of the funeral went very smoothly and almost all of the grandkids were able to help. Aunt Pat couldn't come up for a couple of days, so she wasn't there and her daughters weren't there either. Justin and Chris couldn't be there either because they live so far away, and Bryan is not able to make any trips for a few years. It would've been fun for them to be there, because during the planning... we remembered a lot of things about grandma. We told lots of stories and did a lot of laughing. It was kind of healing for us.

I was able to speak at the funeral, and I felt a lot of peace doing that.

I know my Grandma and Grandpa are finally together and so happy. I know they will be there to greet all of us as we pass through the veil. I can't wait for the reunion... I just hope it isn't soon for any of us!!

My grandma was a big influence in my life and I am so grateful to have known her. I am grateful that we have lived so close to her my entire life and I love her so much. I will miss her immensely!!

The Old Man Praying

While on my mission, I saw a picture hanging up in a member's house. This picture hung in their kitchen above the table. It is a picture of an old man praying. It is very simple, yet I think it's profound. The picture shows some bread and soup (or something). It just seems very humble, and I love the fact that he is praying for it. So, tonight, I went to the Sharp's house. Jenny is here for a day, and I went to see her. She told me she had a surprise that she wanted me to see, but I had to close my eyes. When she told me I could open them she was holding this picture in front of her. She knows how much I love this picture, and we've both been looking for it ever since I showed it to her. I screamed and did a little happy dance. It is awesome!!! I can't wait to get it framed and hung up in my dining room above my table. What a good reminder to pray and thank Heavenly Father for just the little things. I love it!! Thanks Jenny!!! I love ya!!