I have a strong love and admiration for Bear Lake – it’s been there since I was a kid. We would go every summer, sometimes twice, maybe even three times if we decided to go up just for the day. It’s a little slice of heaven I have always found joy and peace in. Even as a married adult, the first trip we plan is to Bear Lake with family. IT’S TRADITION! Lucky for me, I have both sides of the family now going each year! YAY!

Bear Lake is heaven, but unfortunately every destination has a weakness. Mother Nature, and man is she powerful! Have you ever heard of or experienced a Bear Lake storm? I hadn’t either but then this one trip…

The weather was beautiful, we arrived on time, and set up camp with ease. The one glitch was during the packing process, I grabbed Craig’s backpacking tent- also known as the dog house (since a dog is about all you could fit inside of it), instead of our nice regular 4-6 man tent. We laughed about it, but it gave us a good reason to snuggle. Oh the teasing we got from the rest of the family, but we did get the last laugh…

That first day was perfect, therapeutic even! I had been recovering from pneumonia, and at the time I didn’t know it but I was also pregnant with Mercedes, so that perfect day on the beach was just what the doctor ordered.

Second day rolls around and after another flawless afternoon on the beach, mom prepared an amazing chicken dinner complete with colorful veggies. As we sat down, we watched as the sky suddenly became gray and clouded over. In a matter of 3-5 minutes a rain storm complete with wind, thunder and lightning let loose. One minute we were happily smelling the mouthwatering dinner, the next we were frantically trying to get things covered, staked down and packed away. It was chaotic. Maybe it was just the hormones and lack of normal thinking processes, but for the first time in my life, I started hyperventilating.

Then there was Grandma Nada, calmly corralling my siblings into her trailer, and keeping them comforted in anyway she could. I must have looked like a hot mess because next thing I know, she had her hands around my waist and led me into the trailer as well. I was wet, but so was everyone else, but suddenly I felt myself being stripped down, and new clothes placed on my shivering body. Honestly I don’t think I really knew what was going on! Looking down at myself, I realized my Grandma had put me in a pair of her own shorts and a sweatshirt. She didn’t complain that her trailer had become a big wet & muddy mess, she just looked for ways to bring comfort and love to each of us. That’s the woman she always has been!

As a side note, and crazy enough, as quickly as the storm came it only stayed for 5 minutes. Unfortunately for us, lightning had struck a large tree in the campground, and dropped a LARGE limb right onto my parents tent, absolutely demolishing the poor thing. Lucky for us our little dog house was tiny enough it could literally be picked up by one person and moved out of the flash flooding that had taken place. All our supplies were just fine & stayed dry! As funny as it is to talk about now, the one thing that I will never forget is Grandma Nada’s love.

Grandma’s house was the place to be if you wanted to be treated like royalty. She would peel your apples, and slice them up by hand, put them in a cute little pale pink bowl, placed on a tray next to your personalized microwave macaroni and cheese cup and your choice of beverage on the side. If Grandpa was in the middle of watching a show, it didn’t matter. She would change the channel for us. If papa thought of protesting- which he knew better, she would give him a look and say “Derek.” Of course in a kind, but matter-of-fact way. It got the point across…Gosh I love her! It was almost fun to be sick in our home. If you were, you could be sure Grandma Nada would show up with an ice cream bucket of her homemade broccoli cheese soup, sprite, orange juice and popsicles. Again, a simple way she let you know she cared and loved you. Who does that!

Over the past few months I’ve realized I love food, I love treats, I love food. Did I mention I love food? I think apart of this is because of two people. My own mother, and my Grandma Nada. Grandma is a fantastic cook. I love her Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, homemade coleslaw, sprite marinaded pineapple, broccoli cheese soup, chicken divan, apple pie, the list goes on. Every Sunday we would go to Grandpa & Grandma’s house for dinner. It was something we looked forward to each week our own a special occasion, and you never had to worry if the licorice drawer would be empty- Grandma kept it stocked with Chocolate Licorice. There was no such thing as ‘too much.’

I love her for so many reasons! Grandma is such a classy lady, she curls her hair, and wears a string of pearls each week to church – I love it! I was given a string of pearls years back, and each time I get to wear them I feel classy just like her! Pearls & curls a recipe to a classy outfit. She is a beautiful lady! I am grateful to have a piece of her walking around my own home!

This sounds kind of silly, but the day I realized my daughter had my Grandma’s toes, I was so excited and proud! I’m sure you’re wondering what that means- I feel like most toenails are more of a square or rectangle shape but my daughter, like my Grandma have a round shape. It’s kind of fun to have a variety! I have to say it makes me smile whenever my daughter looks at her feet and says, “I love that I have your Grandma’s toes.” It’s kind of funny that she would even care! But it’s exciting for me to see my daughter sharing a piece of my grandma with me!

I love my Grandma Nada. She is a lady I love, I admire, and miss not having within 10 minutes of my home! I’m so grateful I’ve been able to grow up with her in my life. I’m grateful she always made time to love me.

-Mikenna