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| Sand bags filling in a hole in the road |
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| Crossing a small stream |
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| A groomed soccer field. Got in trouble for taking the photo. |
This is a letter I wrote to my mother for her anniversary.
Dearest Mother,
Happy 70th Anniversary. Seventy years, WOW!! But I guess in the
eternal perspective, you and Dad are just newlyweds. What a wonderful choice
you made those many years ago to marry such an awesome man. I will forever be
grateful that you made that choice. You and Dad make a great team. (Notice the
present tense, not the past tense.) You are still a team. Dad is, I am sure,
never too far away from you. Oh, he has assignments he needs to fulfill, but I
am sure he hovers near as often as he can.
It was great to talk to you for a few minutes. I am glad you
are doing well heath-wise. We don’t have to look too far to count our blessings
that you are healthy. I am sorry that Kerma and Ann aren’t doing the best. It
must be very hard to see such good friends going through tough times. Tell them
both I am thinking of them and wish them the best.
I am so happy for memories. Some nights I like to just lay
in bed and think about the past and the lovely memories I have of my life. I
owe my beautiful life to you and Dad. Not just the physical life (being born)
but also the many years of tender loving care you both gave as you nurtured me
into adulthood. And the nurturing never has stopped. I have always felt of your
love and concern for me and our family.
You and Dad can be very proud of the posterity you have. You
have helped shape all of us—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
into the people that we are. You both are great examples to us of how to live
Christ-like lives, giving service, and doing our part to help build the kingdom
of God. You only have yourself to blame that Vickie and I are both gone at the
same time serving missions. We are following your example. But I am really glad
that you only have 2 more months before she will be back home. I know you are
looking forward to that day as well.
You have many friends and ward members who look up to you.
It was very evident at the ward party I went to with you right after Dad’s
passing. They love you and are grateful for the manner in which you are
enduring to the end. Enduring sometimes has the connotation of just gritting
your teeth and hanging on by your toenails trying to get through something
unpleasant. But I don’t believe that is
the definition of it in the Church. I believe enduring to the end is doing what
you are doing—taking an active part in the ward, fulfilling your callings, and
being happy serving the Lord’s kingdom. I want to be just like you when I “grow
up”.
May you have a wonderful week, enjoying memories. You will
probably be just like me in that many of those memories have tears that go with
them. Just like right now for me. But they are tears of joy and gratitude for
Heavenly Father giving me such good, loving, and wonderful parents.
I LOVE YOU, MAMA. Please take good care of yourself. We have
many more memories to make in this life with you. The past 5 months have flown
by—the next 18 will be gone before we know it.
Love and Kisses to you,
Love, Shauna
Elder and Sister Bennett were here for Sunday dinner with us. They don't go home until tomorrow. We ate spaghetti, raspberry jello with cream whipped in it, green salad, garlic bread, and a delightful four layer chocolate cake with cream frosting with drizzled chocolate.
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| Sister Vance, Elder Bennett, Sister, Cook |
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| Sister Peterson, Sister Bennett, Elder Peterson |
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