From Grandma Terry's grandchildren.
ALEXANDER REMEMBERS:
Every time we went for a visit to Prince Albert it meant we got to go to
Grandma’s. It was always so exciting going up the steps of her place on the
hill, because you knew she’d be waiting at her doorway with a hug and a
tasty treat. Whether it was waking up early on Christmas morning, splitting
chocolate after an Easter Egg hunt, or any other occasion, my family and I
loved staying at Grandma’s apartment. I remember everyone coming to
visit to watch curling, watch the Jays, or play cards. Grandma always made
sure everybody was comfortable, fed, and loved. She was easy to talk to,
quick to laugh, and most of all, cared about you.
One of my favourite memories of Grandma; when I was a little kid I thought
that my Grandma was rich! Whenever we went there, she would always
have fudgsicles and chocolate milk, and if we stayed for more then a
couple days she would make sure to order pizza for supper, or order
chicken on toonie Tuesday. I also knew she worked at the A&W, and so put
those things together and I got ‘She must be rich”!! I remember telling her
this years later, and her and I both laughed so hard.
I will never forget these, and all of the other moments I spent with my
Grandma Terry.
CHRISTINE WRITES:
I loved the times I got to have sleepovers at Grandma’s any time I wanted
(which was very often)! She would spoil me with movies, popcorn, bubble
gum, apple crisps and fried eggs!
I remember every year the cousins sitting at her house before Christmas to
go through the Sears wish book, circling everything we wanted and often
times Grandma would spoil us all with MANY gifts! Christmas meant
playing cards and every year Grandma choosing Chelsea as her partner!
I recall us four girls (the granddaughters) playing house and teacher at
Grandma’s; Brandi would always boss me around as the teacher. Grandma
would lovingly tell her “Brandi, stop being so bossy! Christine gets to be the
teacher too!”
Grandma was always there for me when I needed. When I was in Minot
she would often check in and see how I was doing. We would have long
phone conversations to catch up! I’ll never forget the memories.
Grady said he loves playing cars at grandma Terry’s, and she always had
her bubble gun ready for him filled to the top, and getting lots of black and
white cake from her - Puffed Wheat Cake and Rice Krispie Cake.
We loved the first year of Lane’s life when we were able to visit with her,
her snuggles and making the boys laugh! I’m so blessed for her to have
had an impact in my boys life.
FROM JOSH:
Well Christine was pretty well dead on with her memories but I'll always
miss going over for toonie Tuesday, watching jeopardy and making
Grandma laugh. She was always very proud of all of us no matter what. I'll
miss her rhubarb pie and her fried potatoes.
I'll never forget the sleepovers we had at her place and like Christine said
the Sears catalog was a pretty big part of our childhood.
Mostly I'll miss the hugs as soon as I got to her place.
BRANDI REMINISCES:
I have so many wonderful memories of Grandma. Growing up I was lucky
enough to have a Grandma as sweet and caring as her. She was always
there for us and knew how to make us smile.
My fondest memories are times spent at the lakes, visiting her at her
apartment, where we would get bubble gum (without a doubt) and playing
cards.. although she would never be my partner (but we all know that was
because then she would have some competition). I will cherish every
moment the kids and I had with her.
I will forever love and miss you Grandma.
JUSTIN RECALLS:
The Purple Palace! When Grandma worked at Waskesiu she had the
world’s tiniest cabin to stay in all summer. However in classic Grandma
fashion, if you showed up with a dozen people, she was all for it and would
have supper ready for everyone.
Anywhere she was, was like home for everyone - purple palace, apartment
or hotel room, it didn’t matter, everyone was welcome, and nobody was
leaving on an empty stomach. Her nature was to look after everyone and
treat everyone like gold. A trait passed down through every member of our
family that we should never ever stop practicing and teaching our children.
Be nice to everyone!
NATHAN SAYS:
Some of my fondest memories with Grandma Terry are around Christmas
time.
Living in a different city from Grandma, meant that I couldn’t just pop in
anytime I wanted to see her; so being able to go to Prince Albert and see
Grandma at Christmas was a super exciting time. I remember Mom and
Dad usually had to work until later in my break from school so I would go
up early to spend some extra time with Grandma. Most kids would be going
skiing, on a hot holiday, or sticking around to hang with buddies. Not me,
the highlight of my time off school was the fact that I got to spend multiple
weeks with Grandma. I’d beg someone who could drive to bring me to PA,
and Grandma would be waiting for me - bubble gum in hand, baking ready,
fudgsicles stocked up. It didn’t matter what we we did for the days to come
whether it was watching The Grinch (which we did every year), going for
coffee at the Legion, or hanging with the family - all that mattered to me
was Grandma and I were together.
TRISTA WRITES:
One memory I often recall was staying at the Christopher lake trailer with
Grandma. One night I couldn’t sleep so I asked Grandma to sleep with me,
which she did but then when I still couldn’t sleep I woke her and said she
could go back to her own bed if she wanted, and so she did. A short time
later I went and got her again, she woke and came to sleep with me, this
went on several more times. Grandma never complained or got annoyed,
she always put other people before herself.
Recently Grandma got Snapchat, I loved sending and seeing her snaps.
She would accidentally take a selfie of herself with bunny ears, or send a
snap with half of her face in it on a Thursday that said ‘Sunday vibes’ I
loved that she was trying to use technology!
I’ll always cherish the small things- playing cards, toonie chicken, the
purple palace at Waskesiu, her baking and cooking. I asked her a couple
years ago if she ever wished she had done some travelling or went for
winters somewhere warmer, I’ll never forget answer - she said ‘no, family is
everything’ ! For her birthday last year I made her a pillow that read ‘to the
world you are a grandma, but to your family you are the world’. We
love her so much…. and that quote is truly how it is!
MATTHEW REMEMBERS:
Some of my fondest memories with Grandma took place in her two
bedroom apartment. As a young kid I remember being so excited for
sleepovers at Grandma’s place. I remember before bed I would explain to
her all the different experiences I was having as an 8 year old boy. All my
sports, my friends and how I loved school (I always loved school). She
made me feel like I was telling her the most amazing story, even though it
was just the babbles of a little boy. I can still imagine her voice perfectly
saying: “oh you’re such a little story teller!”. I’m so grateful I told so many
stories to you.
There was a park just behind Grandma’s apartment building where my Dad
and us boys would set up nets for soccer or throw the football around. I
remember my Grandma cheering us on from the balcony of her apartment
on the 3rd floor. When there was a break in the action Grandma would
lower down some mid game snacks using her bucket and string. Rice
Krispies & Puffed Wheat cake or if she lowered the bucket fast enough:
unmelted cyclones and fudgsicles.
Grandma has always been so selfless, positive and loving. She was the
source of so many moments and memories filled with love and joy. She
was always smiling, always laughing and always quick to crack a joke.
Grandma taught us to be positive through any adversity, to love each other
fiercely and to always be there for the people we love. Thank you for
everything Grandma Terry.
AND FROM CHELSEA:
As a kid growing up I remember our trips to the grocery store together,
sleepovers at her apartment (she always made the best buttery popcorn
and we never had a visit without getting bubble gum), taking Grandma for a
tube ride at Shell Lake, seeing the big moose walk by us in the water at
Waskesiu - Grandma and Mom were so worried about us kids! Her
learning to text; everyone saying how cool your Grandma is that she can
text! Most of all how much she spoiled all of us grandkids at Christmas
(and really all the time). She is and always has been the heart of our family.
As an adult I loved seeing her with Jace and her great grandkids. They
made her so happy and she was always eager to give them treats and spoil
them with hugs and kisses, just like she did with us. At any occasion she
was always smiling and laughing and she just loved everyone.
I always knew Grandma was a phone call away and whenever I was
having a bad or off day I knew I could talk to her and she would make
everything feel right and ok again. She was always so happy and always in
such a cheery mood; it was so infectious. We would talk about so many
different things during our phone calls; the kids, the weather, all the
different soap operas she watched, she kept me updated on all the curling
bonspiels that she loved to watch, and the simple everyday routines like
doing her hair and getting her hair done. Jace would always want to say hi t
and they would talk. She always asked if he wanted more cookies and of
course he always says yes! Just the other day Jace said to me “I love
Grandma Terry.”
A few months ago Kal said to me; “Aubrey reminds me of your Grandma.”
I said “How come?”
He said “Because she smiles so much.”
To me that was the biggest compliment for both of them.
I am going to miss playing cards with my favourite card partner (it was
always Grandma and I versus any duo). I am going to miss our long chats
on the phone. I am going to miss going to her place for supper.
My heart is breaking...I was not ready to say goodbye and I know my life
will never be the same again without her here. All I can do now is
remember that smile and continue to smile because I have had her be such
a huge part of my life. I have been so blessed to have her as my Grandma.
I am going to miss her so much, but will hold our memories so close. I love
you always and forever, Grandma.
