So Christmas came and went and a new semester started at BYU. However, it wasn't long before Sherry Ethelyn Walker passed away on January 15th, 2011.
This was the last picture taken of Grandma and me together. It was a few weeks before her passing. We were at the Los Angeles temple. She loved the temple, and was an ordinance worker there with my grandfather for years, and continued her work there as long as her health permitted. Rarely did I ever talk to her once they started working there that she didn't mention temple work and how important it is. She shared very sacred things with me about her experiences in the temple, that will help me remember her concerning her love for the House of the Lord.
One of the most comforting aspects of her passing was that we knew she was once again with my grandfather, Arthur. She missed him so much, and would often speak of how excited she was to see him again. This picture was taken when she was in remission, but still wore a wig until her hair grew back. This was the last time I saw Grandpa, and was the last picture of all three of us together.
As I mentioned, Grandma loved the temple. She especially loved the Los Angeles temple and many times called it, "Our temple", meaning our family's temple. It was only fitting for me to receive my own endowments in this temple. Here we are after my first session. It was barely a month after Grandpa passed away.
Here we are at my missionary farewell before I headed to the MTC. She was excited for me to serve a mission because she didn't have any sons who served, and I was her only grandson to serve. She did also have one granddaughter, my cousin Kathryn, who served in the Chicago mission.
Haha this photo might capture our relationship perfectly. We always teased Grandma for her sometimes unhealthy obsession she had with me. It didn't bother me, but sometimes my mother found it obnoxious. At her funeral, so many people knew who I was, and I hadn't ever met them. I thought Grandma was always joking when she said she told all of her friends about me, but she was serious. I spoke at her funeral, which was an emotional thing for me to do, but she wanted me to do it. My family sang, "Be Still My Soul" as a special musical number and Lacey and I both took a solo. I then dedicated her grave at the cemetery at her request.
Here is my Dad's side of the family at the graveside service. I was nervous to dedicate the grave with so many people there, but I think it went well. My dad gave me some pointers beforehand. The funeral ended and we had a small family luncheon. I loved seeing my great aunts who reminded me so much of Grandma. It was the closing of a chapter in our relationship, but it also seemed an appropriate time to reflect on everything I could remember about her. It would be impossible to write down all she meant to me, or all that we did, but I remember my thoughts being consumed by her the whole week we were down there.
I titled this post "Sunrise Sherry" for two reasons. 1. The assisted living place she lived in for the last couple weeks of her life was called "Sunrise Village" and so I would call her that to make her laugh. 2. As this picture illustrates, she was always happy when she was around family. She was stubborn and had a bit of a temper when she wanted to, (but who doesn't?) but she always was happiest when she was at home with her family around her. I mentioned earlier her somewhat humorous fixation she had on me. She often called me "my heart", "my boy", or "my angel-boy". At Lacey's reception, while dancing, she said something to the effect of "Boy, if I was 50 years younger, you'd be a catch!" I explained to her "Well we would still be related...so...." She just laughed and said, "Oh you know what I mean!" The funny part was, I didn't...
My relationship with Grandma has been an anchor for me my whole life. We would often spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa, and I seemed to drift toward Grandma my whole life. I love Grandpa, and had a great relationship with him, but I had a special connection with her. I adopted a lot of her same mentalities, as well as interests. She was a thinker, and a ponderer. She was an avid reader, somehow could recommend all the classics, and knew all the best books to read, only being a high-school graduate. She was in more ways than one a mentor to me in my life. Our classroom was her king size bed. She often described it as "our place" where we would talk, and she would teach me about the gospel, our family history, and life in general. One of my earliest memories with her, as well as in my whole life, took place on that bed. I must have been only about 4 years old, when we were sitting on her bed and she was teaching me about the Plan of Salvation. She ended up explaining to me that one day we would be like Heavenly Father and time would never end; that we would be with our families forever. This was a little profound for my four year old mind to comprehend, or my twenty-one year old mind for that matter, but she thought it was important for me to start learning those eternal truths early. I remember the conversation going something like this: "Grandma, what will we do forever?" We'll be creating worlds and creating our own spirit children, just like Heavenly Father does right now. "Forever?" Yes, forever. It will never end, that is why they call it eternity. We will be an eternal family. "Oh, well don't you think we will get bored?" (Laughter) No I don't think we will get bored, sweetheart. You don't get bored when you are with me, do you? "No." Me neither.
Until her last days I looked to her for advice and guidance, and valued her wise suggestions. In her last months I was talking to her at least once a week, and would continue to fill her in on things I was learning in school and in the gospel, and she somehow always had the ability to add her two cents to increase and refine my understanding. I wasn't quite sure if she was trying to do it, but regardless, she pushed me further than I had already reached. So much of what I am, comes from her. She will continue to be an influence in my life as I ponder and reflect on the countless memories we had together and do my best to live what she taught me. As a child of God, I know this truth: A family is forever!
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