My sister and my mom have each written their own tributes but I feel compelled to say my own goodbye to grandma.
My favorite memories of my grandparents are the summers at their home. Grandma and Papa would always spoil us (but not too much). We got to spend from sun up to sun down in the pool (or at the lake when they lived at Lake of the Pines). We got to eat ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. We got to stay up late and watch too much TV.
The best story from our summers in California was the summer Alyson and I took our mutual best friend Mandi to stay with Gma Sue and Papa. Grandma's rule was we could be in the backyard if she wasn't at home but not in the pool. So we were lounging on the deck (probably eating cookies) when suddenly the side gate opened. We all jumped up and went and peaked around the corner and we saw a man with a gun! Immediately we ran in the house, slammed the back door, locked the door, closed the blinds, ran into the only room without a window (the hall bathroom) and began plotting our defense. The best we came up with was plugging in the curling iron and a bottle of hairspray! And we were ready.. so we waited and waited and waited! Finally Gma came home and being on the defensive we asked her if it was her to which she replied "yes, why are you girls locked in the bathroom?!" We proceeded to tell her about the man that broke into her backyard with a gun!! And she just laughed and said "Oh my bug guy!" Apparently her pest service was scheduled to come and spray for bugs and she forgot to tell us!
Grandma and Papa would also take us out to the fruit stands in the country to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. We would buy strawberries, peaches, pistachios, squash, cherries, and nectarines! Grandma LOVED nectarines and I will always think of her when I enjoy one!
Grandma was proud of her family! She was proud of her children and their accomplishments. She always bragged about the engineers in the family. She was proud that all of her children were in happy marriages with well rounded grandchildren. She was also SUPER proud of her grandchildren and every time I talked to her she wanted to know about all of my personal accomplishments and goals. The last time I spoke to her I told her about my rowing and the medals I had won at my last regatta and I knew she was so proud that I was doing something I enjoyed. Her wish was that her kids and grandkids would find things that they loved to do and excel at them.
Grandma had good taste in men. She married my Papa who was a hard worker and a loving husband. And she told me to marry Clay! She knew a good one when she found one!
I miss my grandma. I am blessed to have so many wonderful memories and to have had her positive influence in my life.
I love you Grandma Sue!
Sue Ellen Blackketter
Jan. 19, 1937 - Jun. 20, 2011
