Until We Meet Again Grandma

 

Who was Diana Lee Thorsted?

Diana Lee Thorsted was my grandma. She was always there no matter what. She taught me things throughout my life. My grandma was a listening ear and had the best laugh. Her laugh was always contagious and the biggest belly laugh. 

Diana loved to go camping, fishing, play pinochle, and spend time with her family and friends. Whenever she played pinochle everyone could tell when she had a good hand because she would get a mischievous grin on her face. She could count cards like no ones business. She also liked to play uno with the grand kids and we would always play the Thorsted rules as we called them. She could stay up late and play games for hours. 

I have many memories of grandma. I loved when I was got older and she started taking the grandkids out to lunch for their birthdays. We got to choose where we went and then got to choose our gift. I also remember going on many walks with her. She would call on a Sunday and ask if me and my siblings wanted to go and we would go up by the Ogden golf course. She would take Kim's dog with and we would cut through the golf course so we didn't just have to turn around. I remember her laugh as we hurried through so we didn't get caught. 

As a kid I remember many times when I didn't have school or was sick, Grandma would cook breakfast. She made the best pancakes, eggs, and bacon. I remember the smallest grandkid had to sit on the chair against the wall with a booster seat that was phone books and later a block of wood. She loved to cook for people.

My favorite thing that we did on Mother's Day was we would all go up to Logan Park and eat KFC. The kids would play at the park while the adults sat and talked. After a while we go walk through the little zoo. There were many times that my grandma would call and ask my parents if they wanted to go for a picnic even just up to North Fork. Most of the time we again would have KFC. She loved to see everyone come together during the holidays. I remember when grandpa had finished the basement and grandma wanted to have Thanksgiving down there. There was barely enough room for everyone, but grandma had the biggest smile on her face. Once you were seated you couldn't really go anywhere. During Halloween as a kid we would meet up at Grandma's house after going trick or treating. She would have donuts, chili, and apple cider. It was always really cramped, but it was always fun to meet up with the cousins, aunts and uncles. The kids knew to sit on the floor and grandpa would have the tv on as you walked in. Grandma always had some sort of knitting or crochet project going on. 

My favorite thing that I looked forward to during Christmas was when grandma, grandpa, and Kim would come over Christmas morning. We couldn't have breakfast until they came. It was always pancakes, ham and eggs. Grandma would bring over our presents. She would want to see what we got. We would eat breakfast and then open her gift. I remember her trying to get us pajamas many years and they were the wrong size. Sometimes we could give them to the other sibling. We would laugh so hard after when we had tried them on. She didn't have much to give, but we always knew she loved us. Her tight hugs and a kiss is all I needed. I will miss those hugs. 

As a kid we did a lot of camping and fishing. We always had the same camping spot even before there was a campground. I will never forget we were cooking up all the fish that we had caught that day. When a fish and game ranger came over to check what we were doing. It wasn't a campground someone had just put in a metal ring for a fire pit. We all were so scared because we had way more fish then licenses. The ranger had no idea there was more in the cooler. They didn't ask they just said have a good night. We all laughed so hard and I can still hear her laugh. 

When grandma and grandpa travel to Alaska they sent postcards to the grandkids. I can remember being so excited and couldn't wait until I got the next one. The best was when they went to the Santa Claus house and sent a postcard. It was so exciting to know that she got to see the real reindeer. They caught so many salmon while they were up there and had so many stories.

This is one of the postcards I found.

Grandma loved being apart of anything that her grandkids did. She taught me piano until I got another piano teacher. She loved to sing. Grandma loved going to church and going to the local elementary and being the grandma in the classroom. I remember her talking about that after I had gone to college. Grandma loved to brag about her grandkids and loved to love on her great grandkids as much as she could. 

Grandma was deeply loved by many, especially by grandpa. He would tease her and sometimes she would get mad at him. Grandpa could tease her and get her to laugh. Anyone could see how deeply they loved each other. 

I know that one day I will see her again. For now she will be one of the many angels watching over me. I can only imagine the reunion she had with her parents and brothers that passed on before her. I love you so much grandma and I can't wait until I can hear your laugh again and, get a great big hug. Until we meet again. 💝