Grandma Conklin

A little over a week ago, Eric's grandma, Margaret Conklin, died after 94 good years of life.

So we set out Friday before sunrise and drove that long, beautiful stretch along the Columbia and up through the rolling hills to Spokane to gather with family and celebrate Grandma Conklin's life. We spent many hours in her room at The Waterford, where she had moved in as one of the retirement community's first residents seventeen years ago. With great care and abundant stories, her belongings were sorted--some items to the thrift store, some to storage, many to the family member who would appreciate or use the item most. Someone who hadn't known her would know what she loved just by being in that room--teddy bears, her kids and grandkids, Gonzaga, her church women's group, bingo, her Waterford friends, the Idaho Vandals, knitting...and knitting and knitting! She was a master knitter and we all donned her lovingly created works of art for her memorial service. The room was overflowing--standing room only--with the family of four girls from down the street that Grandma had taught to knit sitting on the floor in front and grown grandkids in sweaters and scarves reciting poetry. It was a beautiful service that acknowledged the pain of loss, the joy of remembering and the enduring gifts that remain even when someone is physically gone.

After the reception, we hung out at Mike and Tanya's for a bit, then headed to China Garden, Grandma's favorite restaurant, for a late dinner. We ate and ate and laughed and ate and shared our fortunes. Scott convinced us all that in order for one's fortune to come true, it is necessary to use a bit of spit and stick the fortune to one's nose. Brody's lasted longest so I guess he'll get his fortune (something about an exciting retirement). Brody's cousin Bill came along and it was the first time most of us had ever met him. How nice to get to know long "lost" family. I am also thankful to have finally met Judy, Eric's aunt, and Heather and Mark, two cousins in Seattle, and to get to know them a bit.

So...over the long weekend, we ate lots and talked lots and played with Emerson--and watched her take three steps toward Tia Mira to hand her some coasters. It was the most steps she had ever taken! She'll take off running any minute now.

The many cards given to the family were really a gift. Ann and Brody read some out loud and it was hard not to be amazed and moved to hear about the difference Grandma had made in people's lives. She was a beautiful person who impacted many people by her loving spirit, determination and spunky personality. She is missed.

And now we are home, with an incredibly old Yahtzee game to play and Grandma's plants to nurture. And many, many sweaters to wrap around us.

Grandma Conklin's obituary.