Grandparents

Over the past few weeks I have found myself watching the grandparents in the world.  I assume they are grandparents, I don't really know.  But their age is an indicator.  They look grand-parent-ish, so I feel safe to assume they are what I think they are.  I don't call them that, so I am not offending them just in case they aren't(except Kathryn will sometimes call out "Grandma" to a grandma-looking lady).  I lost my both of my Grandmothers the same year, and I remember grieving them in silly places, like the post office or grocery store, when I would see sweet old women at the checkout stand.  Now its old women, old men, and especially these grandparents with their grandchildren or great grandchildren.  I miss my parents parents.

Grandma Schouten (the "ch" in Schouten is pronounced like a "k") passed away 15 years ago.  When we lived in SLC, UT, she lived in Springville, which was around 45 mins away, so we were able to see her quite a bit.  Grandma was independent and fun. She chuckled and laughed and was always wanting to come up with something to bake or cook or make in the kitchen that would put meat on our bones.  She enjoyed playing games with us and liked to spend time with us.  She was beautiful, wrinkly, but beautiful.  I only knew her with white hair, but she had red hair that she passed onto me and now my children.  There is a picture of a very young, non-wrinkly her and my grandfather and I always thought she should have been a movie star. 

In my later teen years she gave me an envelope with some family keepsake pictures.  I didn't appreciate it at the time and have no idea how I managed to keep it in my possession all these years, but I came across it last year when moving some documents down to a newer filing cabinet in our garage.  I then put in my kitchen, which I recently unearthed in an organizing fit.  I have since decided they belong perfectly in my scripture bag-- you know with the spirit of Elijah and all that.  Thanks Grandma for this gift.

Yes- that is me- looks like Kathryn doesn't it?