Category Archives: Family History

Brave

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To be brave is almost the same as courageous. The dictionary describes Brave as; possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance. I don’t know for sure if I’ve ever been really brave. Maybe a little brave. I have done things that were hard, scary and I may have I endured them fairly well. I do believe I did my best.

When I think of Brave people I think of David who killed Goliath. He truly was an example of bravery. His story is one of my favorites. The scripture reads:

1 Samuel 17:20 And David 1-rose up early in the morning, and 2-left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as 3-Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

1-He was not lazy, 2- He was responsible, leaving the sheep with a keeper, and 3-Obedient doing what his father had commanded him to do.

Then he finds out that this Philistine had been taunting them for 40 days, saying he would fight any of the soldiers. Goliath was huge, and probably ugly and very intimidating. David is surprised that Israelite Amy is not going up against him. He goes to Saul the King and asks if he can go up against Goliath. Saul says no, you’re too young, you are not a soldier and just a shepherd boy. So David tells the king about all the times he has save the sheep from wolves and bears, killing them and saving the sheep. 35 And 4-I went out after him, and smote him, and 5-delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and 6-smote him, and slew him.

David, 4-Was brave and determined to stop the wild beasts from killing the sheep. 5-He saved the sheep right out of the mouth of the beasts. 6-Then he finished the job so the wild animal couldn’t come back after the sheep.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

This is one of my favorite parts, he is using persuasion to convince the king about something the king already knows. The Israelites were the army of the Living God. You cannot go wrong with God on your side. So of course Saul says he can do it. He gives him armor, it’s too big, so David says I will go out without it. So Brave! He chooses 5 smooth stones and heads out to meet Goliath, and says:

46 This day will the Lord adeliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may bknow that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the abattle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Wow!! Just, wow! Of course then all the army of the Israelites are cheering and ready to go after the Philistines.

David of course became very well known and eventually became the king. I love this story and David because he is so focused on what is important at each moment in this story. Most important to me is that, he was so brave. He was young, and not a soldier, but he showed all the soldiers what true bravery is like. He knew that His God had protected him at other times in his life and he knew that God can be trusted with what He says He’ll do. He believed and had faith. Faith is a principle of action. When you believe you need to go and do what you know you should and what God commands.

I know others who have been brave. Ancestors who crossed seas and continents to find a special place to live and believe what they knew to be true. I have parents and brothers who went through many challenges in theirs lives with bravery and endurance. I know that being Brave is very important in this world. We know we’re here to learn and grow. Some learning is scary and hard. Sometimes we have experiences that we know are coming and we don’t want to go through, but if our focus and trust in in the Living God, we can be Brave and go through hard things, and come out successful and true at the end.

My Dearest, and most sweet, and wonderful Mama

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On the day I was born, I met my “first” best friend. In fact it is because of her I learned how to be a friend. From that day on she has been there, always supportive, always listening, teaching and consoling. I have so many memories of her sitting at the foot of my bed while I told her sometimes through tears of the challenge I was facing. I’d say “why doesn’t Heavenly Father make things better?” She would say, “Don’t counsel the Lord. Just let Him tell your heart you are loved and you can do this”. She showed me how to live by example, and at the same time, she trusted my abilities and allowed me to be me, and most important, always loving me.

She taught me to love and serve Heavenly Father. As a student of the scriptures, I’ve never doubted her belief in God, our Savior, and the Still Small Voice. She has taught me to choose happiness even when I feel sad, often saying “It is What it is,” which I never cared for, but the truth is, you have to accept “what is” before you can move on and let go. She taught me to not let others’ actions keep me down, “when someone mistreats you, that’s their problem, not yours”. She taught me to be responsible for my own life, to think about how others feel, not judge, but love them, she’d say, “We don’t know what others have been through when they’re not with us. And then quote the old indian proverb -Never judge a man till you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins” She’d say, “Just believe, “They’re doing the best they can.” and look for the good in everyone.

I know that she loves our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and believes in the Holy Ghost. She lives the gospel. I have watched her give countless hours in sharing her knowledge of the gospel and of family history. She has spent the time it takes to know, and then share that knowledge with others. That is amazing to me. Some people learn and never share. She is a gifted teacher, and has continued to share with others what she has learned. Her lifetime of learning both in the school of life and formal education has taught me that learning never ends, and for Mama teaching never ends. She made arrangements years ago to donate her body to the UofU after her death. She’s say, “I won’t need it anymore.” While talking to the assistant manager at the UofU Body donor Services, and telling him what a wonderful and special Mama I have, and how she has always been a teacher. He said, “I love that, because she will continue to teach. In fact I’ll go on to say she will be teaching at the collegiate level”.  Mama, Your gift is amazing to me.

The years of service she has given our family are a testimony of her devotion. She has kept us a close knit family by providing a well-balanced meal for years on Sunday. When Brett and I were a young married couple, it was the best meal we had all week. And now even though the “weekly” Sunday dinner doesn’t happen, our family still sees more of each other than most families, by spending time together often. We are all very strong personalities, but we love and respect each other, because she and Daddy have taught us to love and respect each other.

She loves our children and grandchildren, and has told them how important they are to her. They always feel so important after getting hugs and kisses from her, and having her whisper in their ear how much she loves them, often telling them -they are her favorite, they are all her favorite. She is a wonderful Gramma, and Great-Gramma.

As I have become a mom and a grandma, I have become even more aware of the sacrifices and time involved in loving and caring for a family. It makes me more in awe of all she has accomplished in her life, while raising a family, and I am so thankful for her example and all she has taught me. I’m so thankful for the many times I called with questions and received just the right answer to what I needed to know. Her knowledge is such a blessing to me.

I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me to come to live with my Mama and Daddy. He knew that they were just what I would need to help me make it through this life. She and Daddy are both wonderful and such great examples of a loving married couple, and I’m so thankful for that. I am so blessed to have Mama, for 62 + years. So thankful to Mama for her bravery and her endurance this past year in bearing the health challenges she has faced with faith and acceptance, and an eternal perspective!

Since Daddy passed on, I would check on Mama often. Calling, grocery shopping and being her chauffeur to wherever she needed to go. Our arrangement at night was that she would call at 10:00 pm to check in and say good night. Most nights she’d say, “I’m going to get two chocolates and read till I’m ready for bed.” Dove’s dark chocolate is Mama’s special treat while reading.

My Mama is a human Honey Bee- “Bees never forget that they are part of something bigger than themselves… their hive is a part of them

And they symbolize what every human craves – a sense of purpose about our existence, and the hive, and our connectedness to each other

Honeybees, by instinct, spend their life pollinating, gathering nectar, and condensing that nectar into honey. bees must collectively visit millions of flowers and travel the equivalent of two times around the world. Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon,” Giving their all until they have no more to give.

I know she will continue to be the best ever, because she will always be the most “super“ example, teacher, doer, writer, preparer, motivator, and Mama for eternity.

I love you, my Mama, my “best” friend.

She’s Got a Mouth on Her 

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One time when I was in the clerk’s office at church, I was filling out our tithing slip and also filling out our missionary contributions.

I did a no no, and I said a swear word. 

We had two missionaries out the time Kelsey was serving in Texas. Alex was serving in South Africa. We knew our main responsibility was Alex, because members in our ward made the generous offer to help in paying for Kelsey‘s mission.

At the time the monthly amount needed, for a missionary was $400. Both sets of grandparents were each paying $100 as well. It was such a blessing to have all this help while our kids served the Lord. This did not, however, stop me from worrying or feeling concerned about our finances and whether we would be able to come up with enough money to help with the missionaries. Even while filling out the forms, I was hoping and wondering if we could make ends meet in my mind. I was always worried about money.

Even though I consider myself a fairly righteous person, I’m definitely not perfect and have had a problem with swearing most of my adult life.

I’m sorry to say I just feel better after I say a swear word.

So on this day, standing in the clerks office trying to fill out the form. I made a mistake on the form and said a naughty word. I hate to say it but I’m sure they all heard what I said. I followed it up with, “When you guys get to heaven, please put in a good word for me. I’ll need all the help I can get.”

They laughed, but said nothing else. I hate it when that happens I may have even been the primary president during this incident as well. Oh well, I may be OK after all. J. Golden Kimball, when asked if he thought he’d make it to Heaven replied, “Yes, because I repent too damn fast.” I love that, knowing that an apostle used colorful language and even he thought it’s OK when you say a swear once in a while.

When I was a kid, my mama had two main swears that she used. Although she would say she wasn’t swearing. The first one was “Hells bells!” When faced with a challenge or a difficult task, sometimes Mom would say, “Oh, Hells bells!” The other one was,  “Dingdong damn.” It was one of my favorites because she’s usually be upset with one of us kids or upset with something we did or didn’t do and she say, “I don’t give a dingdong damn what you do!”

Because she added a word to the swear word she acted like it wasn’t swearing. We knew better, it’s all in your intent. So as a Mama myself, I just dropped the dingdong or the hells, and use the words without the embellishments my mama used. I think in the grand scheme of things, she’s ok and so am I.

Mostly because “We repent too damn fast!”

A Little Quirky

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We’re all human beings, and are mostly the same. Made in the image of God. We have eyes, ears, arms, legs, hair, mouths, etc. Because of DNA we all have familiar traits. Many times in life you can tell people from the same family because the look very similar.

In the family I grew up in we have funny little pinky toes. They’re short and bend toward the big toe, over the toe next to it. It is very obvious in most of us kids. My dad and all the brothers except two have what my dad calls fringe. Bald on top with hair on the sides and back. There’s an old wives tale that says the men/sons go bald if the mother’s father is bald. My Mama’s dad had a full head of hair when he died. So I don’t think that’s true.

In our family, we have two girls and two boys. We hear from many people that our girls look exactly like each other. Some people can’t tell them apart. That is a surprise to me, because I don’t think they look alike much at all. The boys are very different Riley has dark brown hair, and Alex has blonde hair, although the older he gets the darker his hair has gotten. People have said they look alike. Really?

One of the things I would say is a trait that has carried down to our kids, and grandkids is curly hair. Not everyone has it, but some do and I did and do. My maternal grandma and my Mama both had wavy/curly hair. I have always had curly hair. Riley has curly hair. His kids have curly hair. Although his sweet wife Janet has curly hair too. So they get it from both parents. Emily, our Bonus Baby has a sweet little one with really curly hair.

Joy
Grandbaby Monroe

One other physical trait that I think I have from my grandma is short and fluffy. I may not be super fond of the fluffy part, but I have learned to love me, all of me, and I do.

I think physical traits that repeat through the generations are neat! It is one of the many things that bonds us to each other even if they’re a little quirky.

We’re made in the image of God and each other.

Cheerleaders!

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This cutie on top is my little friend Kalli!

I love to watch cheerleaders! They are truly amazing. They get you pumped up and excited about life. When they perform and do stunts it is a wow moment in life! One of the funnest things I’ve seen them do is called Spirit fingers. They lift up their hands high in the air and wiggle their fingers and yell “Wooohooo!” If they do it right the people in the audience will raise their hands and do spirit fingers back to them and yell “Wooohooo” too.

I loved cheerleaders in junior high school too. I thought that being a cheerleader would be so fun! I did gymnastics for years and knew how to tumble, and do some tricks. I decided when try outs were coming up that I should try out for cheerleader. I worked hard at it, but I was all by myself. Some of the girls would work together as they practiced the required cheer and stunts. We didn’t have stunts back them like they have now, where several girls lift the smallest girl while she holds her leg up and then flips off the top of the girls holding her. It was just you doing a cheer that they gave you. On the day of try outs I was so nervous. I felt good too, like it could happen. I could make cheerleader and have a blast cheering the teams on at all the games.

When it was my turn to try out, I ran out into the gym, did a tumbling pass and yelled my cheer at the top of my lungs! I thought “Oh yeah, I’ve got spirit!” It went well, I thought, mostly because I never got to see anyone else try out. I felt good about it though. I went home. Wondered about it several times. Then bedtime came. I didn’t sleep great, because I was still wondering and hoping that I made it. The next morning I got on the bus for school. I saw one of the other girls who tried out. I said, “I think I might have made cheerleader.” She said, “Really?” I said, “I just feel good about how I did.” She smiled. When we got to school they had an assembly were the new cheerleaders were announced. I found out that the new cheerleaders had been kidnapped the night before and taken for dinner or dessert, I can’t remember which. I also found out that the girl who tried out with me and that I talked to on the bus made cheerleader. I felt foolish. I wished I hadn’t said anything to her. Oh well, I thought you can’t do anything about it now. I was sad for little while, but then ok with not making cheerleader, but I never tried out again. That was about 47 years ago.

I still love to watch cheerleaders. They are amazing. It sure looks like fun!

I was recently thinking about the story of trying out for cheerleader. I’m ok with not making it, and not being a cheerleader, but I realized while thinking, I am a cheerleader! Even though I didn’t make cheerleader as a young woman I am a cheerleader and always will be.

At 21 years old, I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was a cheerleader for people looking for a Savior and friend. As missionaries we would cheer as they accepted the gospel and were baptized members of the church. We felt the spirit as they bore humble testimony of God and His influence in their lives. What a blessing to be their cheerleaders.

I cheer for my brothers, Daddy and Mama. Since Daddy passed away I am my mama’s biggest cheerleader. I give her pep talks and tell her how amazing she is, and that she can “do it!”

In the first years of marriage and even now, I am my husbands best cheerleader. All through the years we raised our children I cheered them on daily! (Spirit fingers!!) I was chosen to be a Relief Society President and Head cheerleader to our ward women’s organization. It was an important job- encouraging those mom’s and wives to do their best in spite of exhaustion. I cheered the Primary children on as the Primary President and leader and taught them all about spirit, and how to follow the leader. I cheered for the Young Women in our neighborhood as the Young Women President and leader, and sometimes we cheered together about this wonderful, and exciting life! Just like a high school football game, there were highs and lows and I would cheer; “You can do it! There’s nothin to it!!”

I cheer for my kids now that they are adults, and their spouses and their darling little team mates! I will always be their cheerleader!

This year I made it to one of the best squads. I didn’t even have to try out. I was chosen to be a cheerleader for Families. I am so excited to cheer for the members of our ward family. I will cheer and encourage and persuade them to research and find their loved ones and get to know them. Then they can take them to the temple and be together forever!! I am cheering on my friends who are writing their personal histories. I am sharing my excitement and spirit for Family History. Yes! This is an important job. I love it and I’m having so much fun cheering!

We can all be cheerleaders. You don’t have to try out. You just need to be available and care about others. It’s that simple.

“We have spirit- yes we do, We have spirit- how about you?”

Birthdays, and Turning 60!

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Me in Kindergarten.

I love birthdays! I love all birthdays! I love sending cards and buying balloons and decorating cakes. I love giving gifts and watching the expression of the person opening the gift. I love celebrating my birthday as well.

I’m always happy I’ve had another year to get smarter and wiser and more appreciative of the blessings and people I am surrounded by. It’s like celebrating the fact that “I’m here!” I made it another trip around the sun! I’m doing my best at life and I love that God gave me a family and friends to help me while I’m here.

I’m sure that birthdays like life are what you make it!

When it’s my birthday I sometimes get worried because of expectations. Will the people I love remember? What is the celebration going to be like? I have learned that in order to not worry, I just tell everyone it’s coming and make a plan for what I want to do. Some of my favorite bdays were spent doing projects and organizing my home and life, but best of all is celebrating with family!

This year I’m turning 60. That is old!! I remember thinking 30 was old when I was a teenager. Now I’m twice as old -as old! I’m so happy to be here. It’s like going on a long trek, or hike. It feels so good that you are finished with the challenge, but you feel really sore. Yes when you get older things ache. I’m not going to die yet, so don’t worry about that, I’m just letting the reality of where I am sink in. I know there are people who run marathons, climb mountains, do iron man competitions at this age. Not me. I’m just moving along “slow and steady” like Alex taught me many years ago.

Waking up this morning I laid there thinking about turning 60, and where I am in life. I felt such an immense feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to live. Life is hard, but life is also such an amazing experience! My blessings and challenges are what has made me who I am.

I was blessed to be born into a family. My parents were and always have been loving, and kind. They have taught me to work, to set goals, to be the kind of person others can count on. Their example has been such a blessing, and I’m so grateful for them. My Daddy has passed on, but I’ve learned, and I believe he is close and still loving me. I know when I feel sad, it’s because I’m thinking about me. I am happy he is resting from his busy and hectic life. I will see him when it’s my time.

I grew up with 3 older brothers, Brian, Brad and Keith. They taught me to be tough. They weren’t always nice, so that taught me empathy. They made mistakes, and that taught me to love unconditionally. Sometimes I felt alone and unloved by them, but I learned to just keep trying to be a good little sister to them. I am a total fan of boys and men because of all my brothers fun and entertaining personalities. I know they know I love them. They have all passed to the other side. I miss them, but I know we’ll see each other again.

I have 2 little brothers. They taught me to have patience and think of others. I hope I wasn’t too mean to them. I was left in charge of them when our parents went on trips, We would go get fast food and eat Frosty’s. As adult they are very talented, and their knowledge and life choices are creative and inspiring. They are such a blessing to me. They are my very dear friends and I love spending time with them.

I am a Family History fan. Knowing where I came from is huge! I feel so blessed to know grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and second cousins, etc. I have learned about the life of these people. What kind of sickness or sorrow was part of their existence. Did they have it easy? No, I believe it was harder. I admire and adore them. I believe that because they lived and rose from each challenge that I can too. How great is that? I can do hard things!

All my young life, I wanted to be loved by a sweetheart. A soul mate, and best friend. I wasn’t really sure it would happen, but it did. My Darlin is that sweetheart. I am so grateful for our marriage. My Darlin, is a loving and hard working man. I can count on him and I know he loves me. He has always put our family first. I wouldn’t trade our 36 + years togethers for anything. It hasn’t been perfect, but we’ve learned so much. We have learned how to sacrifice for our children and each other. We have learned what matters most in life and that is love, patience and kindness. We have always included God in our relationship. We pray daily thanking God for each other and asking His blessing upon our marriage. He has blessed us!

I’ve wanted to be a Mama since I played with my baby dolls as a child. I know I am so blessed to be a Mama. I have learned so much about life from my 4 children. They are each unique and amazing. They are all grown up and I feel a little sad about that, but what wonderful adults they have become. When I feel lonesome now and then, I remind myself that the amazing adults they are- is my best hopes and desires for them. We taught them to be responsible, we taught them to love, and share, and do good in the world. They are much better than I could ever imagined!! Because of their great choices they have wonderful sweethearts, too. Oh, do I ever feel so much love and admiration for the humans they grew up to be, and their wonderful choices!

“Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your kids.” I don’t know who said that, but it’s funny. The truth is Grandchildren are such a blessing because you’ve already been through raising your kids. You don’t have to worry about them, because that is their parents job. You get to hug them, and kiss them, and sugar them up, and send them home. They are like the cherry on top! The icing on the cake! Such a wonderful part of life, that’s grandparenthood. Sometimes grandparenthood isn’t what you thought it would be, but that’s ok too. You just do your best in every situation. Just love everyone! (and maybe try not to have expectations) I’m so grateful that my life includes grandkids!

“Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” I haven’t always been a good friend. I have made others feel sad. I have had friends be unkind to me as well. I’ve learned that friendship is a treasure that is worth the effort. I know that friends are part of my life because God knew I needed them. Their example, the acceptance, the experiences we’ve shared. I love them so much!

Knowing about God, and Jesus is such a blessing. I wouldn’t have made it through life without them. I can’t forget the Spirit or Holy Ghost. When times are hard and I am sad. I know because of the peace I feel when I pray that God is aware of me and loves me. He will help me out of some situations and others He will hold my heart while We go through it together. I know He sent me to earth to have experiences and grow. I know he wants me back when I’m done.

I’m glad I’m 60 years old! I’m so blessed. I’m thankful for all of my life experiences the beautiful, wonderful experiences and the challenges. I wouldn’t go back. No regrets. I’m not going that way anyway. Like my “Most Quoted” said, “I’m trying really hard at life!” and I always will.

Mama

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Photo Credit-Larry Hanson

She is a wonderful Mama. She is my friend. I’m grateful she is mine.

These are a few of the things that make my Mom the great gal she is.

She grew up with a Mama and a Daddy and one sister. She learned a lot growing up. Her Daddy was a hard worker, but also an alcoholic. He joined AA when she was 16. She learned respect. Her Mama was a saint, and taught her how to love and be kind. Her sister was spunky and a tease. This taught her patience. She was a good student graduating a year early. She was a good worker, having jobs that were important like a telephone operator. If you don’t know what that is ask someone older than 30.

She is motivated and has gotten a lot accomplished and has done her whole life. She raised 6 kids, then went to college and received a degree in early childhood education. She taught pre-school, Head Start, and an after school program for latch key kids called CARES.

She has been a student of history all her life, having lived for 89 years. She was born during the Depression. She remembers when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Because of her, I love history. She loves teaching even now, she is very wise. A funny thing she says after she’s had an opportunity to teach is, “I’m such a good teacher!” I usually laugh and say, “Yes, you are!” She enjoys teaching too. She teaches Family History Classes, lessons at Church, Group lessons at the place she lives.

She is healthy and comes from good stock, as they say. She once fell down 24 cement stairs and didn’t break any bones. She was 84 years old when this happened. She and my Daddy were in Slovenia traveling and having so much fun with my little brother and his wife, and her parents. What a miracle!

She is very spiritual. She reads her scriptures everyday. She prays and wants to do what God would have her do in life. She doesn’t let the challenges in life bring her down. Some people would call that grounded. Her perspective is always eternal. She lost her sweetheart and love, 2 years ago and doesn’t feel sad all the time. She knows she’ll see him again, and that they will be together forever.

She likes to be by herself. When I was young this bothered me. I wanted her to want to spend time with me. I am the only daughter. I thought we should be shopping or something. At this point in our lives, I’m ok with my Mama not wanting to be with me too much. She’s taught me that to be by myself is a good place. She’s taught me that she is who she is and we don’t always have the same feelings or ideas, and that’s ok too.

Family is very important to her. She loves the ones who came before, and she loves the ones who are living now. She has taught me to love all of these people too. For 30 + years my Mom would have Sunday dinner for the whole family at their home. This was amazing to me. The meal alone is expensive. For many years, my Mom didn’t even have a dish washer. She would hand wash all those dishes Monday morning. We still get together, though not always at her place and not every week. Because she taught me to love my ancestors I have been blessed to know I’ll never alone. They are always there, with their example, their story, their ability to live life even when it was hard. I am connected to them and I love them so much.

Yes, she is a wonderful Mama. She is such a blessing and I’m filled with gratitude to God for blessing me with the perfect parents, and today I’m especially grateful for my sweet Mama!

Family History Friday: Norma & Bill

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These are my maternal grandparents. What were their experiences in life? Were they ever worried? They look so young, but they had a lot of weight on their shoulders. Married during the depression, teenage parents, finding their way through life with hope and love. They were married for 49 years. Grandpa was a hard worker, always. He was an amateur boxer, very athletic, then had a stroke at 59. He was paralyzed on his right side for the rest of his life. He died at 79 years old, twenty years after his stoke. Grandma was such a sweetheart. She was always helping Grandpa with all of his daily routines. She loved to watch Lawrence Welk, and go for rides in the car, and have picnics. She got cancer and died at 66. I love them. When life is hard, I remind myself that life has always had challenges. It is the reason we’re here, to learn and grow. To love each other and help each other. When I think about my ancestors and their lives, I know I can do hard things. Life is a gift. Love is the most important.

A New Normal.

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A month ago, my normal changed. My daily thoughts, the things I worry about, my sorrow, my tears all became about one thing; my Daddy. He passed away. He has left a giant hole in my life and the lives of our family members. When someone you love is gone from your days, and the time becomes greater since you saw them last, it is sometimes overwhelming, and you just have to stop whatever you’re doing and cry. He is, and always has been, the most wonderful man I know. His life and contribution to this world was significant. He left things, and places, and situations better than he found them. People were always touched by his love and sensitivity to them and their welfare. He worked hard all his life. He served others and made contributions that are still blessing those he loved. He wrote stories and histories and shared them with everyone. He served our country. He loves our Father in Heaven, our Savior, and has a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. His example is one that I will work the rest of my life to try to emulate.

When I heard the news, I was devastated, but not surprised. He has struggled with a heart wearing out for years. It finally said, “Enough, you’ve done enough.” He was traveling with my little brother, and his wife, and her parents when he passed. I knew that they would be sad, wondering if the trip was too much, but I believe it was a great send off. They traveled up the west coast of the United States, starting at San Fransisco where my parents met, and ended up in Victoria, Canada. While traveling home, they planned to visit my Dad’s older sister, his only living sibling. He passed away at her home. He may have been holding on to see her. My sweet Mama came home without him, and now will be there in their home without him. She is heart broken. Their 64th anniversary was the week after he passed.

The funeral was wonderful. How could it not be? When you celebrate the life of someone like my Dad, it really is a celebration! Many came to pay their respects. Many had stories about how my Daddy had blessed their life, or how much they admired him, or how something he did at the Family History Center was inspired. It was wonderful to hear stories about how great he is to others. And now we just mourn, and try to get used to life without him here.

I really feel that time spent with family is the most important way to spend time. I will miss time spent with my Dad for the rest of my life. I will miss seeing him most every Sunday for dinner. I will miss our monthly dates, and cutting his hair, and trimming his beard. I will miss him calling and my Daddy’s ring tone of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, playing. When I hear that song, I can’t help thinking about him.

I worry about my sweet Mama. “Is she ok?” “I better call her and check on her.” “I need to take her to lunch.” “What can I do to love her and help her?” These, and more, are all thoughts in my mind several times a day. She’s seems to be doing quite well. Amazingly well.

I am thankful for our strong family bond. I am so thankful that I know that he loves our family and that we love him. We saw him often, and tell each other all the time how much we love each other.

The times I struggle most are when I’m feeling sorry for me. I believe with all my heart that my Daddy is in a better place. He is happy and very busy doing great things and blessing others. Before he passed, he was uncomfortable and frustrated that he couldn’t do what he used to be able to do. He can do anything now. He is at peace and so are we because he lived a great life. His legacy is one of love, service, sacrifice, work, developing talents, faith in God, righteousness, and having fun while he did it all. At the very center of his life was his sweetheart, my Mama, and family. We will all be together in heaven some day.

I love him, and I’m so grateful he is my Daddy.

Family History Friday: I’ve Never Heard of This Disease.

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When I learn about an ancestor there is a list of things I want to know about them. Three of them are:

Where is this town/city/country that they lived? I find it quick on a map.

What did they do for a living? I sometimes have to look this up.

What was their cause of death? Most the time, at least in the beginning, I always had to look this up.

When I learn the answers to these three questions, I usually have an immediate appreciation for them. I think, “Wow, they lived in that tiny village?” or “I’ve never heard of this disease.“

When I was looking at the information our family has on my paternal 2nd great grandpa Ole Olesen Halling, I looked at his cause of death. He died when he was 86, from a disease called Pemphigus. I looked it up on the internet.

The disease looks terrible.

This is the description I found: Pemphigus causes blisters on your skin and mucous membranes. The blisters rupture easily, leaving open sores, which may ooze and become infected. Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder. Pemphigus can occur at any age, but it’s most often seen in people who are middle-aged or older. It tends to be a long-lasting (chronic) condition, and some types can be life-threatening without treatment. Treatment with medication usually controls it.

Of course there is a lot more information. I won’t share any more, except to say that the disease exists today, and is treated with steroids. Knowing that Ole died in 1902, I looked up when steroids were first discovered as a medication that can treat disease. I found that it was not discovered or used for treatment until 1950. This made me feel sad for him. I’m sure he suffered a lot, from the disease and did not have much relief, at least not what they use now to treat it. The disease finally caused his death.

What a trooper he was. He was 86 when he died. He lived for a time with a painful disease. I love him. I am encouraged to do my best knowing that he held on during his life. He lived his life, had a family, worked, came to America. It might not have been pretty, but he kept going.

We can do hard things.

That is what I think of when I think of Ole Olesen Halling. What a good man. I want to meet him someday, and tell him thank you for being strong and enduring.