The last time I
visited Grandma Alta, my 98 year old great-grandmother, she demonstrated her
keen alacrity and sound poignancy in a conversation with my father, her
grandson.
Alta: "How are those little
grandchildren of yours?"
Mark: "They sure are growing fast."
Alta: "Grandchildren tend to do
that. They grow like weeds."
I appreciated her
complete grasp of the irony of situation.
She told her 58 year old grandson how fast grandchildren mature. Generations became moments to me while in the
presence Grandma Alta for the last time.
This experience demonstrated that although her physical being had
somewhat deteriorated, her lucidity did not decrease in the slightest. I recall “immaculate” and “lush” among a few
of the last words I had with her. Grandma Alta was always as clever as she was
kind.
Perhaps it was
Grandma Alta’s intelligence that had such a salutary effect on her life. Her prowess in dialogue and her complete lack
of diffidence made her an enjoyable conversationalist and endeared her to all
those with whom she exchanged words. Her
jocular nature couldn’t help but fill you with mirth. I never left Grandma Alta’s house feeling
angry or frustrated, but on the contrary, because of the location of my
interactions with my great-grandmother I am still convinced that Fairview Utah
is one of the happiest places on earth.
One of my fondest
memories of Grandma Alta was hearing her patriarch, and fortuitously, her
neighbor and relative, pronounce upon her a patriarchal blessing. It was a unique experience to hear the
patriarchal blessing of a 95-year-old lady.
Much of what was said was the narration of an already well-lived
life. Much of what was said was a paean
to her assiduousness in following the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps some might think that receiving a
patriarchal blessing at the age of 95 is a bit belated. To those who follow that line of logic I
would say the following: you did not know Grandma Alta. She did not need a patriarchal blessing to
remain faithful. She had an innate
indefatigability of doing what is right.
This sacrosanct document is more for her posterity to reassure us that
one can successfully lead an upright and honorable life. The memory of our grandmother does much to
inspire us into following her righteous example.
There is no eulogy
adequate enough to describe Grandma Alta’s significance. There is only one phase that comes closest to
heralding her prominence. Alta Osborne’s
comeuppance is no less than exaltation in the highest degree of the celestial
kingdom.
In
an effort to never forget the profound effect that my great-grandmother had in
this world and in my life, my wife and I have decided to give our first-born
daughter the name Alta. May the posterity
of Alta Osborne be half as magnanimous as she was.
Sincerely,
Great-grandson,
Nathan E. Shepherd
