Grandma Branch graduated...

This is Paul's mom

but we all call her Grandma Branch.

Two weeks ago she had a stroke which left her paralyzed. 

She mostly slept after her stroke but sometimes she would talk with us. 

One morning she kept asking us 3 questions... 

what year it was, 

how old she was, 

and where she was.

We told her the answers several times

 and wondered why she was so interested in those three questions......

Within the hour, her physical therapist, 

occupational therapist, speech therapist, 

and doctor came in to see her 

and guess what they said to her????

Yup, you guessed it, 

"Revola, can you tell me what year it is?" 

"Revola, can you tell me how old you are?" 

"Revola, can you tell me where you are?" hahaha

What a smart girl!

We all sat there with our chins on the floor 

in awe that she was so clever

and told the Dr. and therapists what had happened. 

The Dr. said she was cheating but we stood up for her 

and said it wasn't cheating 

it was cramming!! ;)

Another morning she was talking to me and two nurses. 

It was hard to understand her for a few minutes, 

then I heard her say 

"I was baptized when I was eight

and I haven't sinned since."

We all know that's not really how it works 

but it was pretty funny. 

Maybe she meant she'd been trying to be righteous ever since.

It makes me think of Sister Eubank's Conference talk

" Being righteous doesn't mean being perfect 

or never making mistakes. 

It means developing an inner connection with God, 

repenting of our sins and mistakes, 

and freely helping others."

One night after being with Grandma at the care center
our girlie returned home and was reading scriptures before bed.

Her bookmark happened to be at  

Alma 40:12 which says...

"And then shall it come to pass, 

that the spirits of those who are righteous 

are received into a state of happiness, 

which is called paradise, 

a state of rest, 

a state of peace, 

where they shall rest from all their troubles 

and from all care, and sorrow."

And so it is with Grandma Branch, as

five days after her stroke

she passed away. 

Yesterday was her funeral. 

Wilson said she "graduated". 

What a perfect description. 

We are happy for her 
to be with her cute husband again.

We've been touched by everyone's kindness. 

Thank you dear family and friends 

for your prayers and love
at this difficult time.
You've all got that 
"freely helping others" part
down pat.

Much love...<3