Grandma Laura

I have been inspired today by my "East Coast Cousins" to pay tribute to the mothers in my life.  Grandma Zundel has to be at the top of that list.  We visited often, and she personified exactly what a grandmother should be.  As I aspire to be a memorable grandmother, she reminds me of the distance that I have yet to travel.  We were always guests when we arrived.  We had her full attention.  We played cards, we read movie magazines, we knitted, we crocheted (did not accomplish this feat with her, however), we made Barbie clothes extraordinaire, and we prayed.  My parents weren't active in the church til I was in junior high, when my brother went on a mission.  My grandparents prayed on their knees at every breakfast and at every dinner.  This had a huge impact on me.  It is a treasured memory of a feeling that I will never forget.  I had no idea what family prayer was about until then.  Thank you, Grandma Z for that memory.

Grandma was an exceptional candy maker.  At Christmas time she would visit our store (we all worked through the holidays every day and night), and brought a giant platter of homemade treats.  I have made at least 100 batches of divinity trying to emulate her product, without success.  She always had us to dinner on Christmas Eve because my mom was busy doing her shopping with what was left in the store unsold.  It made Christmas so special.  I am so grateful that she lived to see me as a young adult.  I have learned stories about her when Grandpa Z was in the Stake Presidency with Elder Packer.  The story goes that they were having an important visitor from SLC.  The dinner was to be at the Zundel's house, which wasn't very big.  The decision was made to shorten the guest list to accommodate the crowd.  This would have eliminated Elder Packer because he was a clerk or secretary.  Grandma said that "No, he was certainly to be invited".  "No one was to be left out", said Hart's wife.  What a great story.  I believe there is mention of something about it in a book about  President Packer.  I can't remember how it goes, and I am not home to check my sources.  The important thing is, whether it is true or not, it certainly COULD be true.  Anyone that knew her would certainly say, "that sounds just like Laura".  Happy Mother's Day, Grandma, you are one of the best!!