As I write this, I sit awaiting the call saying she is gone. Growing up my Grandma Bea was the reason for going to Beaver Utah. Oh sure Grandpa Cecil (Grandpa Cec for the correct phrase,) was there as well, as were the vast majority of my cousins, aunts and Uncles, and the fact that trips to Beaver were almost always planned around hunting or camping or other activities, but in my mind it was always to get to visit Grandma Bea.
She had a love for life, and for family. All family; past present and future family, as well as borrowed family and even the random strangers Grandpa would drag into deer camp to become life-long family friends. Her tiny home equaled Grand Central station in it's ability to handle a crowd. She had six children, all married and none of whom had fewer than four children (thirty one grand children is the total count). Somehow her tiny home could hold us all, and equally important her freezer held enough ice cream for all (and small helpings are not the standard among the Willden clan) , and her cookie jars never ran dry, though often they would get low.
Somehow most of the crowd would fit in her tiny living room, the kids (regardless of which generation there were always kids around) would be racing around the circuit, living-room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and back into the living room, in an endless loop. While the rest of us jockeyed for position in one of the seats or on the floor or leaning up against the fuel oil furnace (hoping not to get burned). It was chaos but a chaos of love and fun.
She loved to camp, Grandpa Cec was a hunter and a fisherman, and she loved to be out camping with him. My earliest memories are of the annual gathering at deer camp among the boulders behind TV Hill. For many years my family tented but grandma's trailer was always available for warmth or games and candy, that is when we could pull ourselves away from the crowd around the fire-barrel.
She is 39 and has been for several decades now, her hair eternally dyed red to ensure not a gray hair could be found. The entire town of Beaver knew her as either Aunt Bea or as Grandma Bea (depending on what generation they were part of).
Fifteen years ago Grandpa passed, and she has missed him so badly ever since. Now at last she gets to return into his arms. Three years ago her only daughter and son-in-law were killed in a tragic car accident, we thought the shock of that loss would be too much for her but Grandma continued on through that loss.
Grandma Bea, we all love you so much and will miss you. I regret that the distance and your diminished health has denied my boys the chance to get to know you and to really experience your love. But as sad as your passing will be, I also have to celebrate the completion of a very Grand Life lived out in a small town. Many people gain far greater accolades in this life, but very, very few are as deserving as you. You are love personified, never critical, always overjoyed to see your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as their spouses, and of course all your many friends who came in all ages.
Godspeed Grandma, till we meet again, Your Cecil is waiting for you as is your daughter Colleen.
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