Grandma

My Grandma Malan was the most amazing person.  I constantly hear stories about her church callings, her kindness, and her love for everyone around her.  I have been at the temple countless times and have people recognize my name and tell me about how my Grandma affected them.  I have always looked up to her even though I never really had the privilege of knowing her.  

My sweet Grandma passed away about 2 1/2 years ago.  Even though I grew up with her around me, I never truly knew my Grandma because she was diagnosed with Dementia when I little.  I grew up knowing my Grandma was a great person, but unfortunately only seeing little glimpses of her personality.  

When my Grandma passed away, it was very bittersweet for me.  I was so happy that she was finally able to be free from her body and able to go live with Heavenly Father, but it was really hard for me to hear my family reminisce and tell all of these stories from Grandma Malan while I didn't have a single one.  I almost felt guilty participating in her funeral when there were so many other people who loved her so much.

My participation in her funeral involved playing the piano for a musical number.  My dad chose an arrangement of If You Could Hie to Kolob by Marshall McDonald that I had been playing for a while.  As I was practicing for the funeral, I questioned if that was really the right song to play.  It was one of my dad's least favorite hymns and it didn't really have any meaning to any of us, but my dad chose it so I finished preparing it for the funeral.

Grandma's funeral was amazing.  It was incredible to see how many people loved my Grandma.  Of course, at the same time, that was terrifying for me.  I am a very shy person who really doesn't like to be the center of attention.  So ya know,,, piano solos were not terrifying at all.  Oh wait...  Once I started playing the song, it was like I was in my own little world and there was no one else around.  I was so relieved when I made it through the song.  

Because my Grandma was in the General Young Women's Presidency, Sister Elaine Dalton was one of the speakers at her funeral.  When she got up to speak, she read a verse of the hymn I played on the piano.

There is no end to glory;

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above.

There is no end to glory;

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above.

All of the sudden, everything made sense.  I knew why I played that song for the musical number, and I was so happy I did.  When these lyrics were read, a peace came over me.  Listening to those lyrics made me realize that even though I didn't have the chance to really get to know my Grandma in this life, I will have plenty of time in the next.  Until then, I will always think of the amazing example she is to me when I hear If You Could Hie to Kolob or see a little lamb with a black nose. 

I love you Grandma, thanks for watching over me and teaching me how to be an example to everyone around me.