Memories of Grandpa Dickson
Today, September 10, 1995 my Grandpa Reed Dickson died. He died about 4:30 this morning. Aunt Maisie called about 5:30 a.m. and told me. My dad and mom are out of town with Uncle Norris and Aunt Pam.
I guess I really should say that Grandpa woke up and was born into the spirit world after spending 93 years and 7 months on this earth. I wish I could see the reunion he must be having with all of his brothers and sisters and mom and dad who have passed on before. Also he will see our little Ambure, and Tonya and Lance.
I remember Grandpa feeling so bad when Ambure died, and saying that he wished it could have been him, a man who had lived his whole life and was about 76-77 years old. Little did Grandpa know that he would be here on earth another 17 years!
I know he didn't want to be here these last 2-3 years. He told me once that he didn't feel old mentally, and inside he still felt like a young man, however his old body was just wearing out. I know that he knew how scared Grandma Dickson was of death, and he didn't want to die before her. And as she has gotten bad these last few years, 2-3 years, he has patiently sat by her and held her hand, and been there for her as her mind has failed. It's only been the last few months as she has gotten worse, and doesn't even know him or need him and has been confined to her bed, that he has asked his kids to pray for him to pass. I just wish Grandma could be released from her body too, right now. I guess the kids will have to put her in a rest home now.
Grandpa Dickson was born in the same house he died in. He lived there his whole life. I bet not too many people can say that!!
He was the best grandpa a kid could have. I remember when I was little, climbing trees, and playing rough at his house, and Grandma would get so worried, and he would tell her "Mother, let the kids play!" I remember he would look at us, and give us a look, like go ahead and scare her, and it will be just between us!
I remember going up to their home and playing with my cousins. They were some of the best times I can remember as a kid. Grandpa was always there, and always had time for me. I can remember him laying in front of the TV watching a ballgame. I can remember Tiny and Midge, his little dogs. Oh how Grandpa loved animals. I can remember going to the barn with him and once he told me to stick my finger in a milker sucker thing, and it scared me, and I couldn't get that awful feeling off of my thumb for a long time. Grandpa just laughed.
I can remember Christmas Eves at their home, a tradition that was one of the highlights of Christmas for me. We all had a present under the tree. Grandpa would let us kids do anything, and would give us anything we wanted, and never got mad, ever!
I can remember Pony Boy rides on his knee when I was little.
Pony Boy, Pony Boy, Won't you be my Pony boy.
Don't say no, Here we go, Out across the plains.
Marry me, Carry me, Ride away with me!
Giddy up, Giddy up, Giddy up, WHOA!!
My Pony Boy
I have seen Grandpa do this with my own kids, and I can't play with a little kid without putting them on my knee and singing this song that my Grandpa taught me. He would always bounce you on his knee, and when he got to the part with the giddy up's he would bounce you really high and exciting.
Grandpa was a big tease. He would tease my boys when they wanted to go upstairs at his house. As they would open the door at the bottom of the stairs, and start to go up, and he would go Brrrrr in a low deep voice, and say "Be careful of that Troll up there!"
I can remember some of the old stories Grandpa told us. One in particular was when he and a friend were going out with some girls, (Dora Rich was one of them) and they had their other friend come and scare them and pretend to be robbers. Dora got so upset she threw up. Grandpa couldn't tell that story without laughing.
Grandpa always had candy, especially lemon drops on top of the fridge, and cheese puffs, and Coke in the fridge. My kids always knew where this stuff was, and used to raid them. I would get mad and tell them to slow down, but Grandpa would always say to let them have as much as they wanted.
He loved to have us visit. You just knew he loved you, there was never any question. He and Grandma always came to all of the kids birthday parties up until this last year or two. I'm sorry that neither of them got to see my new home. They have been pretty much home-bound for the last 2-3 years.
Landon and I usually stopped on our way home from church on Sundays. This was Landon's favorite thing, and he would get really upset if I didn't have time to stop. Landon liked to ride his bike up and visit Grandpa too. I suppose it was as much the lemon drops as anything, but I know he ALWAYS felt welcome.
Since my dad is Grandpa Dickson too, my kids have always referred to my Grandpa (Reed), as Old Grandpa Dickson, or Grandpa Dickson with the chickens.
I know my little Landon will miss him allot. I took him up to see Grandpa 3 days ago on Thursday. Grandpa had had a stroke that morning, and when we got there at 7 0'clock in the evening, he was in his bed. He was very much aware of who we were, and even though it was hard to understand him, he tried to talk to us. I told him how sorry we were he wasn't feeling well, and he just brushed it off and said he was okay. That was always Grandpa, he never ever complained. I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek, and told him how much I loved him, and how he was the best Grandpa there ever was, and he held me close and told me he loved me too. Landon gave him a great big hug and told him he loved him also. I'm glad we were able to say good-bye.
I cry because I will miss him. He has always been there as my grandpa, but how can I really be sad for him? I'm not, because I know he was old and tired and worn-out, and wanted to be free from this earth-life. I just wish that Grandma could go very very soon.
Memories of Grandma Dickson
Mark Dickson's memories: Applesauce cookies with huge chocolate chips that were really, really soft. She would always fix me and Larry (my cousin) lunch or dinner when we were up there, and she and Grandpa would always do the dishes and never make us help.
Erika Dickson Bettinson's memories: Grandma always made us things for Christmas. Such as homemade pajamas, and underwear. Susan (my cousin) and I always got the same thing, and Pauline and Gwen and Joan always got the same thing.
Gwen Dickson Rich's memories: Christmas Eve's were the best times when I was little. Everybody each had their own presents under the tree.
After I was married, Grandma taught me how to make pie crusts, and banana cream and lemon fillings. She taught me how to make white bread with a start of potato water. ( I have the recipes) She and Grandpa watched Ambure every week day so I could finish school. I would take her up in the morning, and drop her off, start a load of wash (I didn't have my own washing machine), and then go to school. I'd get back at about noon and Grandma would have lunch ready. I would stay for a while in the afternoon and we would sew and bake sometimes.
When Ambure was a baby she had to have an orthopedic harness on her legs to help fix her dislocated hip. There was only one store in Salt Lake City that they could be bought, and my mom and mother-in-law and Roger were busy working and couldn't go with me to get it. I didn't know Salt Lake at all, and Grandma didn't drive at all, but she offered to come with me and give me directions to the Sugar House area. We made it there and back without any trouble.
She always cared so much for me and my family. Whether it was worrying if the kids were well, or coming to all their birthday celebrations. She would bring us pies to eat, and chili and homemade chicken noodle soup. She would usually call me every 2-3 days to check up on me. Once she even called me at 10 p.m. on April 15th, to make sure Roger and I had our tax return in the mail. She is so special to me, and it's been hard these last 2-years when I haven't been able to visit with her like I used to. I look forward to the day I can see her again and have her call me "darling" like she used to. I know her first question will be "How are you?"
Other memories I have are ice cream cones, and Coke that was always there ready for the grandkids to have. Big bags of Cheetos, and lemon drops on top of the fridge.
I remember when I was in the 6th grade, I went in the back room to get on the shaker machine, (remember that?). I had long hair, and when I reached down to turn the machine off, my hair got caught in the thing that spun around. My hair was sucked into the motor, and my head was pulled down real tight against the shaker. I managed to grab my hair, so that I wasn't scalped, and I started to scream for Grandma and Grandpa. They both came running. I can imagine I must have scared them something terrible. I was trying to shut off the machine by the switch on the front of the shaker, but it wouldn't shut off. Grandpa reached up and pulled the power plug. There I was bent over sideways, with my hair twisted tight against the machine. Grandma was crying and I was crying, and Grandpa tried to get my hair undone. He and Grandma couldn't get it to budge, so they finally got the scissors, and had to cut my hair to get it free. I don't think Grandma let any kids play on that for a long time after that. When my kids wanted to get on the shaker, I ALWAYS went back there and stood by them the whole time.
I remember the quilt tops that Grandma made for each one of the married kids back in the early 80's. (I still haven't got mine put together yet!) And also the bedspread's she and the aunt's quilted for each of us when the older grandkids got married. Mine was blue and yellow tricot, and was really slick and cool. One of my kids, (I won't say which one) still has this as their "cold blankie", and they can't go to bed without it.
I remember Thanksgiving dinner's when tables would be set up in the kitchen kitty corner, and two more tables in the living room. There would be a little bowl for that fruit salad, and a little cup for the tomato cocktail. Afterwards, all the women would clean up, and the men would sit around and talk. The kids would go outside and play hot beans, and kick the can, and other wild games. They were such fun times. Christmas Eve was great too. We would each have a present under the tree, and the front room was chuck full of aunts and uncles and cousins. Grandma usually made allot of the presents, because she could sew so well. She made my kids clothes when they were tiny too. She could do anything on that sewing machine. I took 4-H from my mom, and learned to sew, but Grandma had learned so many tricks and different things working down at Utah Tailoring, she was amazing. I remember mom was making Tonya's prom dress once, and was having trouble with the zipper. Grandma Dickson at 83 years of age, showed her a different way to put it in, and my mom couldn't believe it was so easy.
Remember in the early 80's when she made all the sweaters for all the great grandkids? I can't remember just how many she made, but it must have been 20 or more I'm sure.
Grandma Dickson died on September 28, 1995 at about 3:08 p.m. at Uncle Norris' home. She had been staying at Uncle Norris and Aunt Pam's home since Grandpa died on September 10th, 18 days earlier. Uncle Norris and Aunt Pam took such good care of her. I went up to see her about noon on the 28th (Zac's birthday too), and she looked so _______? There are not words to describe it. She was dying, and her body looked all of it's 92 years and then some. She was so thin, and wasted. She had really gone downhill since Grandpa died, only 18 days before. Tonight at the viewing she looked beautiful. Like her old self. I am glad she is free from pain and suffering now, and with Grandpa again. Aunt Pam said it best, "She was his (Grandpa's) most precious possession." I hope I can live worthy to be with them again. I am so proud to be their granddaughter.
Mandy Rich's memories: Grandma was always nervous, and always scared I was going to hurt myself. She would always hold my hand really tight.
Zac Rich's memories: She would always tell us to BE CAREFUL!!
Landon Rich's memories: She would always have me sit on her lap, and give me a hug.
