In the past weeks since Grandpa Sabine's passing, it has been more than fun to go back and read about his life and look at pictures of this wonderful person. I continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude that I got to have such a man as my grandfather. I keep putting-off writing about him, because I keep waiting for 'time to do it justice' - which never seems to come. So I am just going to do something right now, because I'm afraid if it don't, it may never happen - especially the longer I wait. So here is a little photographic tribute to someone I love so dearly.
A classic picture of Grandpa and his sister in front of their home. I think it's so poignant that he would pass away only a few blocks away from this home that his father built and he was born in. If I ever have a ton of money, I'm going to buy that house, like the great-granddaughter in
The Little House book and take the house away to the countryside and live in it! :)
One of my favorite pictures ever of Cathy and Jim.
I re-discovered this classic the day after Grandpa's funeral and it has become my new favorite picture of Grandma and Grandpa. One photo that perfectly captures so much of their personalities. Their love for us. Their awesome sense of humor.
I love that it has the Three Fountains house in it too. That house holds so many perfect childhood memories of sleeping over in the basement, and swimming at the pool, and watching the Muppet Show, and reading the "Funnies" and joke books, and trips to the Bean Museum (animal museum at BYU), and going for walks to see the birds' nests on the light fixtures or the dog prints in the cement side-walk. It also holds some wonderful grown-up memories too as my grandparents let Michael and I live in this house rent-free the first year that we were married. As John and Susan Tanner spoke at the funeral about my grandparents being angels in their lives when they allowed them to live in their Berkeley house rent-free for three years of John's grad-school time, I felt emotional knowing that I had shared that same blessing.
This was another recent re-discovery. Perfectly captures what I always knew and felt: that my grandparents thoroughly enjoyed our happiness. I felt that at the cemetery - I knew that they were there - together again - and thoroughly enjoying seeing their posterity together and getting a kick out of us all -esp Josh's bagpipes. I know they loved that!
Here is my high school graduation with my cousin Mike Boyden. They were always so proud of us and in this case, probably also a little relieved that Mike actually graduated that day. :)
All through my time at BYU my grandparents kept tabs on me, took me to the symphony when it came to the deJong concert hall, took me to lunch at the Skyroom at BYU, fed me lovely gourmet Sunday dinners. I remember one Sunday arriving at their house just as two members of the BYU football team - I think Tyler Anderson was one of them - were leaving. One of them had been there for his patriarchal blessing. They also gave me their 3rd-row BYU basketball tickets when they started going down to St. George for the winter.
But I think my favorite memory of Grandpa associated with my BYU years happened during my last semester before my mission. One sunny Saturday afternoon I was sitting with Grandpa at a BYU football game. He brought his usual bag of apples and handed me one. It was the first time I'd ever had a Gala apple and I commented how much I liked it. For the rest of that semester my grandpa would bring a bag of Gala apples to my apartment every week. And I've been eating Gala apples ever since! During our last conversation 3 days before he died he brought up the apples! That experience will always be the epitome of his thoughtfulness in small ways - and I was definitely not the only recipient of those small acts of kindness.
This is a picture I've kept on my fridge since my Grandma died 5 years ago. It captures them the way I remember them together before their health took a steep decline. This is Christmas 1995. My mom sent it to me while I was on my mission. I remember being at the MTC with my family, the Sabine's included, and realizing their mortality - that one of them could pass away before I came home.
But they were both at the airport when I returned - my then 87-year-old grandpa still trying the be the gentleman and carry my bag for me.
I remember the summer that I got engaged, I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents because they were next door to my cousin Liz Anderson whom I was nanny-ing for. [While Michael was having his summer-internship for his future profession, I was having mine.] This was at the same time that Grandpa's health was seriously declining and we were getting really worried about him driving. One day I talked him into letting me drive him to the store to pick-up a prescription. I know he felt frustrated that he wasn't able to be completely self-sufficient as he'd always been. While we were waiting at the pharmacy I was looking through bride magazines. When he went to pay for the prescription he asked if he could buy the magazine for me. I was so touched [and still am] by his gesture of still wanting to take care of me.
I'm so grateful that they could be at my wedding. I love Grandma in her blue wedding-reception dress that she wore to many of the other receptions. She always looked so classy. It is such a treasured memory that they could be part of that day. They were always so proud of Michael working at BYU. [I was always worried about telling them if he ever decided to find a new job!]
I'm so grateful that he was able to participate in Catherine's blessing.
I'm so grateful that he could know my kids and more importantly, that they could know him.
[This picture is last Christmas.]
I'll be FOREVER grateful that I took them to visit him on Thanksgiving this year. He was having such a hard time that day - it really struck me how much he had declined so suddenly. So I asked the kids to sing him a song and they sang, "I love to see the Temple." It brought a sweet spirit in the room and gave him a moment of peace. I'll also be forever grateful that I got to visit him one more time with my brother Jim when we knew the end was near. Jim and I were both surprised to find him alert and aware of who we were. We had a sweet visit with him. And true to his form, he shared his love for us.
I will always be humbled that I got to serve him in his last years after so many years of him taking care of me. The thing that has surprised me the most since his passing is how much I feel his presence and love still and that his presence is that of the Grandpa I remember growing-up - not the feeble and aging man in a deteriorating body. I even have a hard time remembering what he has been like over the past few years. I feel his humor and his love. I know that it is because he is once again his eternal self and he is happy to be back in the role of taking care of us!
At the viewing.
I loved that the funeral was held at the chapel I attended during my growing-up years. Such a beautiful old building and lots of happy memories there. I also loved it because my cousin Liz's (the one I nanny-ed for 11 years ago) husband is the bishop of that congregation. He conducted the funeral and did such a wonderful job. Made it even more special.
At the cemetery.
With Sarah and Norah.
I love the old Salt Lake City Cemetery. Such a BEAUTIFUL place and so much history there.
Grandpa was buried by Grandma and his parents and grandparents. I've visited this spot many times before and many times with Grandma and Grandpa, but I've never been in the winter. It was so beautiful. I look forward to going back there many times in the future, armed with the memories of being there with them in times past.
The weather couldn't have been better for a December day. Especially compared with the wave after wave of snowstorms the week before. This day was sunny, warm(er), and really pretty.
The Boyden clan - minus Jane my cousin Rich's wife. It was so good to be with all of the Boydens for the day. I grew-up only a few blocks away from their home and they helped raise me. :) Now they are spread and busy with families of their own (as am I) but it was so good to have the time to be with them all.
Me and my family.
Grandma Udall, Poppy and the boys
At 99 and 3/4 years old, Grandpa's passing was not unexpected, but it was still an emotional day. However, most of my tears that day were tears of gratitude. Gratitude for the kind people who took care of him in his final years. Gratitude for the time I've been able to spend with him as a significant part of my life. Gratitude that my own children had the opportunity to know him. Gratitude for the opportunity to hear others pay tribute to him. Gratitude for the legacy of kindness he left behind. Gratitude to be realated to a lot of really fun people. Most of all, gratitude to Jesus Christ for making it possible for me to be with them again forever!
A lovely lunch.
