Our Family is the best..!!

I just want all of you to know how much the phone calls and visits and the invites mean to Gramps, every day he tells me who he has talked to and who stopped by, I think times are getting loney for him, I can't imagine being with the same person for 57 years and then what you know as life is gone.. I think Gramps is handeling it amazingly well, and I know that you are all helping fill those too quiet of times..

Today Gramps is going with Shane to Spanish Fork, he sounded excited to get out of the house and spend some Guy time, we all know he likes to visit :)

Gramps said he would like to learn how to cook spagetti, and then he would have it made. He knows how to fix roast dinners, breakfast food, and lunch (that would be roast beef again) I told him I would show him how to do that, it is fun having cooking classes with my Dad.. Since I don't really even cook any more..( Jay will agree with that)

Great Advise From Grams

I thought it would be fun for those who want to participate and tellig us something Grams has either given us great advise for or some cute thing she has said, or something you have learned from her that makes you a better person..
So here is mine:
Grams always said
1."And this too shall pass"
2. Never leave the house not presentable
3. Treat other the way you want to be treated
4. Don't judge people ( I am working on that one)
5. Bite you toungue, just keep quiet if it is not nice
6. It good enough for who it is for.. ( I always thought that was sad)
7. Give of yourself
8. Take care of the elderly
9. I don't think she knew how to say "No"
10. Never put yourself first
11. She always said I love You....
12. Do with what you have.. Grams never had a head board for her bed, it wasn't neccessary she said.
13. She wore the same Bra for 15 years when we were growing up ( Can't even imagine)
14. While she worked she watched Jessie, Sabrina and Eric while me and Tina had Surgeries.
15. She never let us kids know how financially hard they had it, never fought in front of us and never discussed bills.
16. Always made Christmas and Birthday's special.
17. Grams never asked for things for herself.
18. Grams could never have lived in Vegas, slot machines would have been too temting :)
19. Grams had to learn to live with everything being Normanized...
20. Grams had to clean the same tub for over 60 years (I can't even imagine)

Life as a Bachelor

Well Grandpa has been staying busy by going through drawers and cubbards finding all of Grams treasures, he says boy she was busy and I never even saw her do some of this stuff, he came accross her journal that she started, and pictures, and pictures and pictures.. he says she is a bigger pack rat than him, (hard to believe) He says he really misses her but I thik all of your phone calls and visits have helped him from being lonely. ( I don't think he has had time for that yet) Gramps said he has done more reading this week than he has in years.
He enjoys your calls and visits so much, thank you for taking time for him. I know Grams is watching us and is proud of us for keeping our promise to help take care of Gramps.
It is hard not seeing her when you go to their house but at the same time I am thankful she is not suffering any longer.
The Salt Lake city Journal wrote a really nice article about Grams it came in their mail yesterday, she really impacted a lot of lives, i am so proud of her..
Keep up the good work, and hope to talk to you soon..
Love ya
Chris

Side by Side

Here is the poem that Shane wrote for Grandma: Great job Shane it is beautiful

Side By Side


57 years ago, a young women and
A young man, stood side by side
To accept each other’s hand

Together they started a family
Complete with five children, and through out
The years shared heartache, pain and sorrow
The young couple still stood side by side for a better tomorrow

The new families learned about life from the young couple
Sharing lots of love, fun and laughter.
Some drifted out of town due to jobs and callings
But the love for the young couples family kept them side by side.

The family now big and a little stray,
Share the young couples love and it always
Brings the family together to pray.

Through fallen loved ones, sickness and wealth,
They stood side by side to show them the way.

Together they learned the young women’s fate,
And they still stood Side by Side
Even though it was too late.

And as we are here today to pass our sorrow,
We should keep in our hearts, 57 years later
A young women and a young man
Will still be side by side tomorrow.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

I just want to say how much Grandpa appreciates all your calls and visits, every time some one calls or visit's he tells me who he has heard from. I just want to say thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and for taking the time to stop by for a while.
Grandpa is keeping himself busy by going through some of Grandma's stuff, he says she is a bigger pac rat than him ( I know pretty hard to believe).
Saturday we will be going through some of Grandma's clothes if you are interested in any of them please let me know.
It is still so hard to believe that Grandma is now watching over us instead of being here with us. I miss her so much...
A lot of you have asked if there is anything you can do for Grandpa, and I am not much help.. I know in the spring time some of us can maybe get together and help him get his trim of the house painted, or he may have a few other little projects that he could use some help with.
I think for now just trying to keep him busy, with family and hopefully soon the weather will let him go fishing.
If you have any ideas for this web site please let me know or I can give you the address and pass word if any one would like to post any thing.
Thanks again for your love and concern for Grandpa..

HOW DO WE SAY GOOD BYE

I thought I would post the poem I wrote for Mom in case any one wanted to read it.

HOW DO WE SAY GOOD BYE


YOU HAVE BEEN OUR GUIDING LIGHT THROUGH GOOD AND BAD,
YOUR PASSING HAS MADE THE WORLD A PLACE THAT IS TRULY SAD…

AS YOU TAKE IN THIS NEW GREAT ADVENTURE
AND STAND IN HIS GLORY,
WE HAVE THE PRIVELEDGE TO CARRY ON YOUR LIFE’S STORY…

YOU HAVE ALWAYS FACED LIFES CHALLENGES WITH NO FEAR,
GIVEN YOUR FATE YOU HELD OUR HANDS WITH OUT EVEN A TEAR…

AS WE STRUGGLE WITH THIS SHOCKING NEWS,
KNOWING HEAVEN HAS ALL TO GAIN AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING TO LOSE…

I ADMIRE YOUR STRENGHT AND COURAGE THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR,
THIS DISEASE MADE YOUR BODY GIVE OUT WITH YOUR MIND EVER SO CLEAR…

YOU LEFT THIS LIFE HOLDING THE HAND OF THE ONE YOU LOVED SO DEAR,
ALL THOSE WHO LOVE YOU SHEDDING MANY TEARS…

YOU ARE NOW FREE FROM WHAT BOUND YOU FROM THE THINGS YOU LOVED,
I KNOW YOU ARE REJOICING AND WATCHING US FROM ABOVE…

IT IS HARD TO LET GO OF THE ONE WHO LOVED YOU FIRST,
THE ONE I COULD ALWAYS GO TO…

YOU ARE MY TRUELY MY HERO AND I LOVE YOU!!

CHRIS

Honorable Funeral

I know this has been an extremely sad time for all of us, and it has been quite an event getting Grams funeral arrangement together. This was quite an honor for her and our family.
I want to thank everyone from the visits at the hospital to the planning her program. I know Mom would be happy knowing everyone was there for her, and that she was able to hear all of our last thoughts.
Know one will ever know what she really must have gone through this last year, I am sure Dad knows more than anyone. I have never known any one as brave and strong as she was, we are all privledged to have been a part of her life.
I know Mom truely loved every one, and she never judged anyone. My personal goal is to be more like her.
I am sorry if anyone has had bad feelings through this, and I am sorry if I caused them. It was an extremely difficult week prior to her passing, because we felt so helpless trying to get her the proper care.
John and Melody has ben there through it all, and I want them to know how much we appreciate their time and effort in caring for Mom.
I also want to thank South Salt Lake Fire Fighters and Police officers, and the Mayor and City Council for all your thoughts and prayers and part in her funeral service, you gave her an honorable send off.
Please keep Grandpa in your thoughts and prayers this will be a hard time for him, we need to keep things as normal as possible for him as far as his visits and phone calls.
I am going to keep this Blog going for those interseted as to how Grandpa is doing and what we as a family can possibly help him with.

Love Chris