This is my grandmother, Eva Darlene Casper. She passed away earlier this week on January 25, 2010, age 77. I never knew my grandma when she was younger and active but I learned a few things about her at her funeral on Friday. My grandmother used to love to dance, she enjoyed crocheting and sewing, and listening to music, and camping. The craziest thing I learned was that my grandma got drunk at the age of 5! She was toasted... not sure what she got a hold of but her sister, Aloma, said it was very entertaining. Aloma had never seen that side of grandma, being that grandma was very shy and quiet. LOL!
I remember when my brother Dustin and I were younger, we were staying at grandma and grandpa's house and we had them wrapped around our little fingers. They used to take us to the westwood mall where we liked to jump on the trampolines. They used to take us to Cushmans Craft store to buy boondoggle, leather strips, and beads and we created key chains and all sorts of things with them. We enjoyed going over to visit them as kids and we have enjoyed getting to know our grandma as we have grown up and have taken our kids over to get to know her.
As I have got to know my grandma and take care of her over the last 6 years with my mom and dad, I have really grown fond of her her beautiful smile. She loved to be all dolled up with her lipstick and have her hair done and she enjoyed having people around.. especially her great grandchildren. The house could be total chaos and she would just smile and chuckle when they would run up to her and give her big hugs and kisses. My grandma was a sweetheart. She was never much of a social butterfly but she loved having everybody around her.
My grandpa Don passed away 16 years ago, leaving my grandma pretty lonely. We all would visit her, but it's just not the same as having your spouse there by your side everyday. My mom and dad finally had to move in with her in 2002 so they could take care of her. Grandma had Parkinsons disease and she became very weak, causing her to be unable to walk and get around by herself.
This has been a bitter/sweet experience. Though I am sad because my grandma is not with us anymore, I am happy for her that she doesn't have to feel pain anymore and that she has been able to reunite with her sweetheart.. and her son, my dad. I can only imagine the beautiful experience in heaven that took place as she was welcomed home. I love my grandma and I will miss her very much.
The other reason that makes this a semi-sweet experience, is that we have been able to reunite with family that we have been unable to see for years.
My cousins Marilyn and Vance, whom I haven't seen in many years. They look great!
My cousin Sabra and her husband Jason. Their son Sylas, 11, and Wyatt, 4. They have lived in Boise, Idaho for the last 4 years. They look really happy and I am so glad that I was able to see them and visit for a bit. Sabra and I used to be pretty good buddies until they all moved away and we lost contact.
My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Robyn with their 2 boys, KC and Jeremy. They live in Salt Lake City, UT. Jeff is my dad youngest brother and on the right is my Uncle Greg, with his boy Dillon sitting by Uncle Jeff. Greg and Dillon live in Reno, Nevada. He is my dads second to youngest brother.
I hope that one of these days we can have a family reunion and meet up on better terms so we can visit with each other and catch up.
