Grandma Sommerfeld passed away early this morning. I'm taking some time to blog at work, it's true... but today is the day (once every two weeks) that I am allowed two hours for personal family history, so this is how I am using it.
I keep seeing "R.I.P." as siblings and cousins are posting about Grandma's passing. While her body is at rest, I don't believe that her spirit is resting. I think she has probably done a jig, like she said she would. And I'm certain she has been greeted by many family members who have gone before: her parents, her half siblings, two of her children (Ed and Kathy), a grandson (Robby), and others.
I feel truly blessed to have had Grandma in my life for so many years. I am so grateful for her strength, for her exemplary life, for her love of family and especially of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am especially grateful for time I have had with her in the past few years--most particularly the time I was able to spend interviewing her and learning more about her. I will treasure that time, and I will always be grateful for those recordings that will allow me to hear her voice again and again.
I am grateful for the woman who at 16 made the decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and who left her home and country at 18 to make a new life for herself. She worked hard in those first months to repay her Uncle Billy, who had loaned her the money to come to America.
She continued to work hard throughout her life. She raised seven children. She helped Grandpa in running his business. She attended university as a non-traditional (older) student, graduating summa cum laude in Russian, with a minor in German. She then taught high school Russian for several years. With Grandpa, she served three missions. In between, and continuing after the third mission (into her 70s), she would still substitute in the schools.
I am grateful for her example of love and loyalty. Grandma and Grandpa just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this summer. They have loved and supported each other for many years. They have also always been loyal to the gospel. In addition to three missions, they both served many years in the temple.
We wanted to do something special for Grandma's 80th birthday, two years ago. She didn't want a big party or open house, like we had done for Grandpa. She kept telling us, "I just want to go to the zoo. I haven't been for years." That was a fun day, as the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were able to go went to the zoo together to celebrate Grandma's birthday.
I'm also very grateful for the qualities I know I have inherited from Grandma. Even when I was very small, I heard often how much I was like her. I only hope that throughout my life, I can live with the same grace and poise that she always showed.
I'm grateful that she was able to be part of my wedding day. It meant so much to me to have her there in the temple. And it meant soooo much that she and Grandpa were willing to share their backyard for our reception. It was wonderful to see her happiness that day. I wish I had seen her dance with Josh; I had already gone inside to change. I know she was blessed with extra energy and strength that day, and I am so glad.
It makes me a little sad that my future children will not meet Grandma in mortality. But I hope that through my mom and through me, they will know her, too. I hope I can instill in them the values that were so important to Grandma--especially the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of family. I hope to share with them stories and memories that will help them know their great-grandma and want to live up to the heritage left them by her and by others who have gone before.
Dear Grandma, I am so glad to know that you are no longer suffering. Your spirit is free to dance a jig, while your body is at rest until resurrection day. I look forward to that great day, when we shall meet again, when "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (New Testament, Revelation 21:4) I love you, Grandma! Thank you, thank you for everything--for the person you have been and for all you have taught me.
