My Grandma Olsen passed away last Monday. Channy had called me Thursday night to tell me that she had gone on hospice, which means you've got to have within 6 months left of life in order to qualify for hospice, but through my work experience I've seen several people on pass away within all different time frames so when I woke up to texts from my sisters Monday saying she had passed I was pretty surprised. As mentioned before, I've taken care of so many people I can't even count that have passed away in the past 5 years, as a health care worker you have to detach yourself in a way that you realize death is a part of life and happens to everyone otherwise it'd be hard to cry over every patient you lose. Basically what I'm saying is I've become callused to death, I don't cry, I realize they are better off and move on to my next patient. It's really different when it comes to family...not gonna lie I've really struggled this past week, but I'm focusing on the good : )
My grandma will always be considered an amazing lady in my book! My grandpa Olsen died before any of us kids were born so I've always remembered her living alone-she's always been an example to me in that way of being brave and continuing on in life as well as eternal marriage and always with the knowledge that she would indeed be with her husband again. So as I think about a positive thing about death I think of the two of them, finally together again after 29 years. My uncle Michael at the funeral talked about how he left her house Sunday night and had a feeling that it was time and that would probably be the last time he saw her alive, and how he just felt that his dad was near and that he was indeed coming to get her, pick her up and take her home. I'm so happy to know she's no longer alone and I can't even imagination how happy she is, and the celebration going on up there.
My grandma hasn't had the greatest health in a while, in fact I can't remember that last time she wasn't on oxygen! however, grandma was always big into family, which is why the Olsen side has a family summer party and Christmas party every year-which grandma attends both every year portable oxygen and all!! I have so many great memories from all these parties/reunions, camping in the mountains a lot, the summer party in California, etc... and another memory of grandma is her darn film camera. She never could convert to digital so she always had the film camera out documenting the parties and festivities as we'd all complain in family or cousin pictures that it was taking to long because of the film she'd just tell us to hang on hold the pose and eventually we got the picture taken-never knowing if it had turned out or not.
Along with not having the greatest health...another side of death is no longer having to suffer. She's finally free from pain and any suffering she'd been experiencing the past couple years. In fact after the funeral Friday as I was driving to Manti to pick up Kez after the funeral I got this overwhelming feeling of peace of calmness that grandma was happy again, and that she was relieved to be free from her failing body. Such a relief to me to know that, and I'm grateful for it.
My grandma loved to quilt and sew. I'm sure all of us grandkids will think of her as we cuddle up in our quilts she made us and gave out at Christmas. I am lucky enough to have 3 quilts from grandma-one being my favorite because one Christmas she gave out themed quilts for our talents/hobbies/loves which for my siblings on Christmas morning were sporting themed. I began to wonder what mine would look like, seeing as how I hadn't played a sport in years, I was so touched to open my present and inside found a quilt that was nursing themed. I still remember how special I felt that she took the time to make it everytime I cuddle up in my wheelchair, bandaid and stethescope decored blanket : )
I have plenty more memories of grandma which I could go on and on about but something I feel was really neat, also from the funeral, was when Ashlee was speaking Friday and had compiled a bunch of the cousins memories into a tribute for her and she ended with one from our cousin Robert...basically talked about how grandma was one of the first people to greet him in the celestial room after taking his endowments out and how she went to him and hugged him and told him congrats for making it, and how proud of him she was, etc... and said "I know she'll do the same to me when I get up there, and get to be with her once again".
I'm so grateful to have known my grandma and something that I've really struggled with the past week is knowing I have no grandparents left on my dad's side for futuristic purposes- she won't get to be to my wedding(if it happens), or hold my kids one day on their blessing but I know she'll meet them before I do and I hope she gives them a good grandma olsen talkin to before they come on down to me : )
Pallbearers: Daniel, Mark, Tanner, Lyle, Tyler, and Uncle Jim. (represented one from each of grandma's kids families)
My Cute Parents
Siblings:missing the Elder!!
Dad's siblings and spouses
All 7 of grandma's kids were able to make it from: Tennessee, UT, UT UT, Texas, Washington, California
grandkids photo: missing a lot but those that made it. for you and your film camera grandma! 
together forever
Another "tradition" my mom has to line up all the grandkids(and spouses) ever since we were little and compare heights. not to happy that I've dropped in the line...
of course have to show the cutest kids in the world!!!!! 
Thanks for the great memories Grandma, we'll miss you, and never forget you! I love you!
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