Memorial Day Part II

My Grandma, Nelva Steed Birt, was one of my very favorite people. She was honestly an angel here on earth. I have so many great memories of her, since we grew up just "through the field" from her and Grandpa. The house I live in now was their "honeymoon cottage" that they lived in when they were married. I love living here on her land, I think of her daily as I go about my "routine", knowing that she went through a "routine" in this kitchen, too, looked out the same windows as I do, although I know she worked alot harder than I do now!

For the last several years of her life, she had alot of family members that spent many hours caring for her. My mom was one of these people. One of my mom's "tasks" only took place once a year, but became one of my favorite traditions. We used to take her out on memorial day to visit the graves.

I had to smile when I read Ginger's post about visiting the cemeteries with her grandma. Our grandmas were best friends and did everything just alike. Like Ginger said about her grandma, my grandma had beautiful peonies, lilacs and irises that we would cut for that day and put in a can for the graves.

Grandma, my mom and I would then visit the Clinton cemetery. My Grandma was an only child, and her mother died when Grandma was just a girl. (sorry to those that are reading this and may know the facts better than I..) We always visited her grave, and Grandma told us more than once that when she (Grandma) was gone, no one would visit her mother's grave. We promised her we would...Also in the Clinton Cemetery is Grandma Mitchell, who is actually Grandma's Aunt Grace who raised her. She was a wonderful lady and was Grandma to my dad and his brothers and sister.

It was 6 years ago that my grandma died, and my mom and I carried on the tradition of visiting the Clinton Cemetery. That first memorial day she had only been gone for 2 months. We visited her grave first, and then went out to her mothers and Grandma Mitchell's. I felt closer to my grandma there than at her own grave. I knew she was so happy that we had gone there for her.
We still go every year, and my sisters join us, usually. It has definitely become one of my favorite traditions. We have added a couple of stops, of course, we visit Grandma and Grandpa's graves in Ogden, and then visit Lana's in Uintah. It is a time I treasure with my Mom and sisters, as small and short of an outing it usually turns out to be...

Wendy and Mom at Grandma's Mothers grave, Hilda Kirkman Steed. Ralph and Dana had beat us this year! There were already flowers there!


Wendy and me at Grandma and Grandpa's graves. Nelva Steed and John William Birt. Mom was bummed that the Pepsi wagon behind us wasn't even open yet! I think we were record early this year! We usually see the Poll clan there. It was pretty empty at 9 a.m.

Wendy took the picture at Uintah, and I guess she didn't know how to work my camera, because there was no picture on it when I got home...maybe next year!