Nana

 My beautiful Nana has been an amazing presence and example in my life. I was asked to give a memory of Nana for the funeral and had a hard time of narrowing it down and keeping it brief. My earliest memories of my grandparents were when they lived at the cinnamon bear (calico craft store). From there they moved to Still Meadow in Wellsville. That house was so full of family, celebrations, and memories. From simple Sunday dinners, to sleepovers, cousin time, to family filled holidays that house holds a special place in my heart because the love that I felt there came from my Nana and Papa. Nana's most often recalled memory of me was finding hidden roll crusts behind couches in her home (what can I say. . . I hated hard rolls, I still wanted dessert, and I wasn't bright enough to use the trash as a little kid).

 I have so many memories of my grandma's store. From hiding and playing around the various rooms (Christmas, holiday, craft, kitchen, etc) to growing up and "working" there (aka dusting, vacuuming, and other various simple tasks) to earn jelly bellys, beanie babies, or other things sold there. 

Casey and I dated and got married towards the end of the still meadow years. (Casey even lived in the barn for a couple of months before we got married.)  My grandparents loved him and my Nana thought he was simply the best (which I think so too). 

Kendal is the only one who had time with papa since we moved and he passed not long after Pete was born. 

My kids know Nana from her time out in Nibley and at Legacy. We would go spend time with her to visit, play, and enjoy her company. They each have memories of her over these many years and we'll always look back on with fondness. Nana loved my kids unconditionally and that meant the world to Casey and I. She thought the world of all of her posterity. She prayed for and cared about us all. Her years after Nibley have been harder with to many hospital visits and broken parts to mend, but continue on she did. These past few years at legacy have been good yet hard, we know Nana would not be with us forever, but we were grateful for the time given to us to glean from her stories, wisdom, and heart. 

Nana has been an incredible presence in my life. I look up to her and am so grateful for her example and love. She loved the gospel and had a strong testimony and faith in her life. Her family meant the world to her and she served and loved them in all ways. She was truly the heart of her family. 

Nana has been a refuge for me, a source of comfort and endless love. I will miss her in so many ways and am grateful to have her watching over my family and I. Toodleoo and Luva, luva, luva you forever Nana.