Grandma Dorothy - Rest in Peace

Photo was taken in 1961 at the West Bench Ranch - Box Elder, MT
Pictured left to right: Mark Phelps, Nancy Jean Phelps, Dorothy Denley Bitz (holding Polly Ann Poindexter), Denny Allen (holding Karen Allen Hammond), Tommy Allen. Grandkids not pictured (but were in early production) were Kelly Jo Poindexter Liegeois and PD Poindexter !

I think the picture is appropriate, as I believe Dorothy's greatest love was her grandkids.

My Grandma Dorothy died today (07/07) in 2000. I have never felt so lost in my whole life. I was surrounded by family, but was so far away and alone. Oh...I tear up just right now thinking about it.

Mom and I had planned on going to visit Grandma over that weekend anyway. We were going to leave on Friday 07/07, but then mom got a call from cousin or auntie or someone saying we better get on the road as Grandma health was declining.

Mom called me and asked if I was ready on Thursday night and I WAS !!..so we left Yakima the evening of the July 6th. Something about being in a car with my mom driving put me to sleep (as it always does)...but I woke up between Moses Lake and Spokane and Mom was singing. She was singing along with the radio which was playing Vince Gill's "Go Rest High on The Mountain" and I knew something was "amiss". I think the Lord was trying to buffer me from what would be the saddest day of my life.

Mom drove all night (she is a trooper) and by the time we got to Great Falls we were hungry. We opted to go into McDonald's for a sandwich and a cup of coffee...I think Mom still kicks herself for "going in" to eat instead of using the drive thru.

We got back on the road, headed north through the beautiful, rolling fields of wheat and I remember thinking "I wonder how many times Grandma drove this drive?"...a grillion, I would imagine.

We got to Big Sandy and pulled into Burke and Florence's house...and out ran Auntie Florence and the look on her face was enough to tell an entire story. I didn't even get out of the car. I just sat there...stunned.

Mom and I immediately went to the nursing home and Grandma look so peaceful. One of the girls at the nursing home had done her nail polish earlier in the week, which I thought was so sweet. I remember holding her little hand for a long, long time.

She was such a regal, yet stern woman. Stalwart, yet loving. Structured and disciplined, yet warm and so gentle (except when brushing or perming your hair!)

I loved her very much...heck, I still do.