Grandma Bjarnson

Sweet Grandma Bjarnson passed away November 15, 2017.  She had alzheimers plus dementia and wasn't quite herself for many years.  She was a beautiful soul inside and out.  Here are some highlights from her life.

• Born July 28, 1926 in Oakley, Idaho
• Right in the middle of 11 children-- 5 girls, 5 boys

• Lived on a farm and helped with the work
• Graduated Oakley High School in 1944
• 1949 Served a mission to Scotland and England

• Married John Gary Bjarnson December 19, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple

• Had 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren
• Bought a triplex in Provo and lived in one unit and built a triplex behind it

• Bought a motel in Parleys canyon with 55 units.  Lived in 2 units, ate breakfast and lunch in the cafe. The LDS church bought the motel and Enid and Gary were able to buy land in Holladay.
• Built a home in 1963 on Wander Lane and lived there for 32 years

• Taught school at Woodstock Elementary for 13 years
• Sewed her own outfits for teaching

• Best friend was sister Zetta plus all her sisters

• Served a mission in Cook Islands with husband
• Served in Salk Lake Laotian Branch mission with husband
• Served a Family History Center mission (1991) with husband

• Served a CES mission in Hungary with husband
• Bought her in-laws home in Midvale and lived there for 15 years
• Quick witted and positive person
• Gifted at writing poetry
• Excellent cook, whipped out gourmet meals from leftovers

• Garden was amazing.  She bottled many fruits and veggies.
• Expert at making English toffee
• Loved to sing and had most Hymns memorized
• A rosebush thorn got caught in her eye and made her blind in left eye

• Cared about others before herself

• Lived her last 3 years in care centers. One in Sandy, one in West Jordan

• Looked forward to attending mission reunions
• People were more important than things to her!

A few favorite memories I have of Grandma are that she used to have an annual granddaughter sleepover when we were young.  I looked forward to these and we had the best time!  We would play games, giggle, and enjoy each other.  She had the most beautiful garden up in Holladay.  We would gather for barbecues and holidays.  She invited us to pick peas and they were so yummy!  She bottled the produce from her garden.  My favorites were the mustard pickles and the pickled beets!  I loved how she took us out to eat one-on-one for our birthdays.  One time we were at Marie Calendars and I didn't like the cherry tomatoes in my salad.  Not wanting to offend her, I rolled them under the table to the ground.  I was excited at Christmas how she gave every grandkid $20 for their gift.  That was so much money back then.  I bought a singing Santa frog one time with the money, and I still use it as holiday decor! She loved to sing songs from her childhood and church hymns.  She was a good singer and knew all the words!  Even towards the end, when she couldn't remember names and who people were, she was kind and wanted others to be taken care of.  She was simply wonderful!!!

My mom was a saint!  She visited Grandma several times a week and sang with her and kept her company.  I am sure Grandma will be Diane's special guardian angel for all the service she lovingly gave.

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Her viewing was Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Goff Mortuary.

Funeral was Monday, November 20, 2017 at her ward building in Midvale, Utah.

All the cousins, minus the twins: Bridger and Brooks.

She was buried next to her husband Gary, in Spanish Fork, Utah.

We love you sweet angel Grandma!
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My Image By Enid

Just recently my rotund self went in to take a bath,

and what reflected from the mirror just made me stand and laugh.

The bulge around my middle part looked like rubber tire,

and dimples in my chubby legs extended high and higher.

I threw my shoulders back and tried to rid them of the hump,

while arms expanded upward and into a shapeless lump.

I mumbled to that friendly face how time can make us sag,

in spite of everything I do, I still look like bag.

Then thinking very positive, I planned for me a diet,

and hoped my future images would not be such a riot.

My Testimony By Enid

My testimony comes not from the lips of others-

though they may be strong in their belief.

But from some deep and inner-source it springs,

a swelling and magnetic force triumphantly.

I am aware that life from tiny seeds bursts into 

parent-likeness as it heeds eternal law.

I know with perfect timing, seasons sound out clarity-

Celestial orbs are perfection bound by unseen hands.

By far, the human body peaks the eloquence-

each minute cell bespeaks creation's best.

In thankfulness, with head bowed low, for knowledge;

this continuous flow to me from God above.

No Regrets By Enid

You may be sorry you spoke, Sorry you stayed or went,

Sorry you won or lost, Sorry so much was spent.

But as you go through life you'll find

You're never sorry you were kind.

( Flowers from the funeral plus a beautiful keepsake from my mother-in-law.)

Reflections 2017

Makayla and Lincoln entered Reflections this year with the theme of "Within Reach".  Sterling wanted nothing to do with it.  I supported all in their decisions.  Lincoln took a picture of Sterling at Lagoon.  Makayla took a picture of the cats and she also created a video of a space shuttle launch to Mars.

Sterling Didn't Make It

My brother Sterling is within reach of the height to go on the waterslide ride at Lagoon.  He is not tall enough yet.  Maybe he can go on the ride next year.  

Here Fishy, Fishy

 My cats, Fat Gus and Rosco, are convinced that the fish are within their reach.  But really, the fish are safe because the aquarium glass protects them.  This can be compared to things in our life that we want now but can not quite get to.  Instead of looking through the glass like my cats in the picture, we can make goals now and work harder so that the goals will come true in the future.

Mission to Mars

My mission to Mars video is within reach because it is very hard to reach goals.  If you plan ahead, you can reach your goals.  Some ways you can plan ahead are brainstorming and figuring out what job you want and what college classes you might need to get there.  Landing on Mars could really happen if you plan ahead now. 

We went to an open house at the school the night before the assembly.

At the assembly, Lincoln received an award of merit for his entry.

Makayla earned an award of excellence for both of her entries.

 

 

At the council level, Makayla's video was chosen to move on to the district level!

At the district level, her project was chosen to move on to State! We are looking forward to that in April.