This is my Grandma Rose Eve Smith (my dad's mom).  She past away May 1, 2008.  At the age of 93.  This gentlemen next to her is her older brother, Al Dadian (95).  This picture was taken at the Smith house celebrating her birthday, back in January.  Uncle Al came up from Stanford area just for her.  They were so cute together.  Uncle Al helped dish up her plate and get her attention when someone was trying to talk to her.  Grandma didn't like to wear her hearing aids.  Very strong willed, stubborn woman.
May 10, 2008 was her funeral.  I learned more about my grandmother and was reminded of the many things she did.  Rose loved her Family and her Church.  After my Grandpa passed away in the 80's.  She did nothing but serve family and church.  I new it, but at the funeral it really hit home her passion for life.  I have so many many memories of her" being there for me."  Many sports games, birthday shopping with grandma (one on one),  she would come to our house and crack walnuts with us.  She helped us can our fruit crops in the summer.  Many years of school shopping at Sears, special Christmas cookies (the mincers).  I remember Grandma washing between my toes in her bathtub with a wash cloth.  I wash in between my kids toes with a wash cloth now, and every time I do, I remember her.  I remember her teaching me how to file my finger nails (although when Gram did it I usually fell asleep).  I remember Gram cracking eggs and resting her forearms on the sink while she waited for the egg white to drain away from the yolk.  When I crack eggs I remember her.  I can even remember being 5 or 6 and eating dinner with my gram and grandpa, just the 3 of us......eating Brussels sprouts and asparagus.  I love both these veggies, and think of them every time I eat them.
She did things to her fullest capacity.  This has inspired me to ponder my life as an individual and a mother.  I want my children to remember the consistency, the love, and passion that  I have for Family and Church.  
I took opportunities to tell my Gram, what a great woman she is, and told her that I loved her, several time shortly before her death.  But after her funeral, I know that she was able to stand tall as she returned Home.  I love her.