Until We Meet Again

I’m not exactly sure how to start this post, but I know I want to remember it. Forever.

Saturday was the marked funeral for my beloved Grandma Deon Hitchcock. A day that I will never forget. Hopefully.

Growing up I remember my Grandma always being so kind and loving. Someone who would correct my grammar every time I would see her. She loved to garden and plant flowers. Every birthday we got a homemade card signed by her with a small written note. She never forgot a birthday. Not a single one. Ever.

I enjoyed playing at my Grandma’s house as a little girl. Grandma would always read me a story or let me smell her flowers.

Over the last two years, I would call my Grandma often. Mostly to talk about canning and the correct way to process food. I began to love canning and being a homemaker. I knew it was important to her and it became important to me as well the more I talked to her. Grandma always knew the answer to my questions and was eager to help me in any way possible. One night I called her asking about bottled beets. The discussion quickly got changed from bottling beets to bottling three different kinds of pickles and then onto tomatoes. I asked her if she would kindly e-mail me some recipes.

About a week went by and I received an e-mail from her. To my surprise, at the bottom of the e-mail was a small note. Nothing extravagant, but something that I enjoyed reading and hearing very much.

Grandma writes, “Natalie, I hope you have good luck with your canning.   I have loved this season of the year, even when I was pregnant or had young children.  It is very satisfying to be able to see shining jars of home bottled things.  Love you, Grandma H. call me, if you need help.”

For the last few years, I have really enjoyed canning. Maybe this is a trait I inherited from my Grandmother. I’d like to think she’s proud of my efforts when it comes to canning. And hopefully proud of other accomplishments as well.

……………

The call came from my father on Saturday, around 12:30 p.m. Marked silence in the background when I answered. “Hello.” No Answer. “Dad?” With a quiver in his voice he said, “She’s gone.”

I tried to be tough by holding back tears, but a few came. Was she really gone? I walked into the laundry room to talk. The boys were in the kitchen and I didn’t want them to know I was crying.

Colby came in and gave me a hug. The floods came….

I tried to go back into the kitchen and finish eating with the boys. I explained to Trevin that Grandma Deon had passed away. Immediately the questions came. He wanted to know why she died, what happened, and then when he was going to die. As a little child, he didn’t understand death completely and it was a different subject to talk about. I ate a few more bites of my food, but couldn’t hold back the tears. Slowly I walked away from the kitchen table and into my bedroom. I sat on the floor and cried. I just wanted some time to be alone.

I looked out my bedroom window and saw Mt. Nebo covered in snow. The white snow reminded me somewhat of heaven. I felt a calm feeling come over me and it was evident to me that I would see my Grandma again. Someday.

The rest of the day was a blur for me. Nothing on my “To Do” list was completed and I was fine with that.

……………

On Friday, we traveled to Springville for the viewing. Without knowing what feelings I was going to feel, we entered the room. I was scared to go see her. Why? I’m not sure. I guess I didn’t really want to believe it. My Dad came over and gave me the biggest bear hug. I cried some more and didn’t want to let him go. After that, I was fine the rest of the night.

Many old friends and family members came to pay their respects to my Grandma. It was fun to see a lot of old faces from my neighborhood growing up in Springville. I reminisced about growing up next to the Gardner family and living so close to both sets of Grandparents. Those were the good ol’ days.

…………….

The day of the funeral we were late. Like always. I was frustrated that we weren’t going to make it to the family prayer in time and I desperately wanted to be there. I kept telling Colby to drive faster and “hurry up.” We made it to the church and sat down in the Relief Society Room. There were so many people there, but I really only saw one face. My peaceful Grandma.

In the array of people, I had a perfect view of her from where I was sitting. I talked to her silently in my head. I told her how much I loved her and how much I was going to miss her. I know she heard me….

The funeral service was one of the most spiritual things I have ever witnessed. I could feel her presence and her love for all of us. The love between her and my Grandfather is something I admire and something I aspire to achieve with Colby. I could feel the love my Grandma had for my Grandpa and likewise. They truly loved each other.

Although the service went longer than planned, I wished it would have went longer. I could have listened to my Grandpa talk all day about his beloved wife, the stories about their marriage, their struggles, and the blessings that come from being a member of the church.

One thing that my Grandpa talked about was “The Most Important Relationship.” That relationship is the relationship you have with your spouse. I am dedicated to making the relationship I have with Colby the greatest and most cherished one. I am dedicated to supporting him just like my Grandma supported my Grandpa. I pray I can love him all the days of my life and cherish the good times as well as the bad. There is no other person I love more in this world than my husband.

…………….

Below is the talk that my Grandma wanted my Dad to read at the funeral. Rachelle actually read it, but the words are still the same:

MY FUNERAL TALK
Deon M. Hitchcock
November 19, 2011
Those of you who know me, know that wherever we moved, when we first met the bishop and told him I would do everything I was called to do…but don’t ever ask me to speak in church. But now I am speaking in church!
I ascribe to Sister Hinckley’s wishes that, when she died, she didn’t want any of her children to speak, she just wanted them to sit on the front row and weep. I may be out-voted about the speaking but I still insist on the weeping.
I have had a wonderful life! We have lived all over the country so to speak and have met a lot of lovely people, seen a lot of lovely places, been to many major league baseball games which would make my father very happy. I will now be able to tell him about them.
I have wonderful children and many (30) wonderful grandchildren, as well as (31) great-grandchildren, with (4) more on the way with many more to come. I am proud of all of you and the things you have accomplished and the way you are living your lives. Those of you who are not living the way you should know who you are and I still love you and pray for you.
I leave a lot of wonderful neighbors and friends, a dear sister and her husband.
I am glad to have been a part of my husband’s family, his four sisters and their husbands, a deceased brother and his wife as well as their children.
I have especially enjoyed music in my life as well as the beauty of flowers.
I treasure my membership in the church and pray that I have served well and endured to the end. I don’t know how well I have endured, I assume I will find out how well a little later. I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation that enables us to know that we will be together again.
I could not have had a better husband who has been a wonderful companion for nearly 60 years and I am extremely grateful for him. Please know that I will wait for you.
I say all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
…………….
I know my Grandma is watching over me and is proud of me. She was such a wonderful person and the greatest Grandma anyone could ask for. I pray she knows how much I love her and miss her! I will continue to live the gospel and be the best person I can be so that someday I will be able to see her again. I believe families are forever.
Until we meet again…


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