Remembering Grandma Lena

I want to start this post by thanking all of the people that have helped out in so many ways over the past week with food, child-care, coming to the memorial service, sending cards, praying for us, and on and on! This past week we said good-bye to Grandma Lena Friesen (Randy's mom's mom). She passed away in her sleep last Friday, Feb. 20th, just one month after celebrating her 95th birthday (see past posts). Thankfully Randy was able to take three days off of work: Wednesday to attend the memorial service, Thursday to help his mom clean out Grandma Lena's room at Palm Village, and Friday to spend some time relaxing with family, reflecting on Grandma (and Grandpa) Friesen, and writing a letter to Audrey about the events of the past week and some special memories he has watched occur between Audrey and her Great-Grandma.

Although she has only been my grandma for 11 years, I have many fond memories and special skills I have learned from her. She taught me how to make zweibach and borscht (two staples of the German Mennonite home), and kept my freezer supplied with strawberry jam up until a couple years ago. She was an amazing seamstress, cook, and hostess! She served the Lord faithfully with these gifts all her life, and spent time every day on her knees in prayer. Although she longed to be in heaven with her Savior, and we know she is waiting for us there, we will miss her sorely. We love you Grandma Lena. Audrey, Isaac, and Violet with their Great-Grandma Lena on Christmas Eve morning.