December 31, 2023

It was a bit of a sad New Year’s Eve for me. Just missing my parents so much today. Cried a bit, hung out a little, watched the kids play games, and made it to 2024. 

December 29, 2023

It has been a relaxing after Christmas week. I usually need something but this year I needed to rest and recharge and just be. D and I did get out on a winter hike today to a snow covered Lake Blanche. What a tough hike and what a good hike.

December 27, 2023

One of the talks I have really enjoyed this year is Elder Corbridge - October 2008 GC - The Way:

Jesus Christ is the Way. He is Light and Life, Bread and Water, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life, the Savior of the world, the Truth, and the Way. There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. He is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way, is foolishness.

December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas! 

“We revere the Babe of Bethlehem precisely because He later offered the incomprehensible, infinite sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary.” - President Nelson 

We had a good day that included presents, family time, and "Bethleham" diner. 

December 24, 2023

Pre-Christmas celebrating the last couple of days. We had the sibling party on Friday. What a fun couple of hours that was with all of us. Sibling gifts, pizza, playing games, Mario Tshirt treasure hunt, and lots of talking about good memories and fun things with my parents.

More pre Christmas fun on Saturday at Kenzie's house. I loved the Christmas movie pick of Spirited plus hot chocolate. 

Tonight was Christmas Eve fun in South Jordan after church.

 

December 21, 2023

I didn't know I would miss my mom this much.  

I think this is my favorite picture of my parents. I love it!

July 4, 2016

December 18, 2023

Bread and strawberry/coconut jam from Clair and Spencer tasted amazing.  

December 17, 2023

Today has been so emotional. The whole day I’ve felt the hole of missing my parents. The strength I’ve felt the last couple of days seems to have left for a minute. But hopefully that’s only temporary.

December 16, 2023

I needed somewhere to cry and think where the only thing you could hear is your footsteps on slickrock. (If I'm going to shed tears, it might as well be on a trail and not on a couch.) Navajo Knobs for the win.  Nature therapy was so nice and much needed today.

 

December 15, 2023

What a beautiful and very sad day. So many people who love my mom. And she looked so peaceful. That was the prominent feeling - peaceful. I was so impressed with how many of her friends expressed how much they would miss her. Vicki Cuff gave a beautiful talk on their friendship. What a wonderful mom, grandma, and friend.

December 14, 2023

Almost every year a different part of the Christmas story seems to have more meaning to me. This year there’s a new part I haven’t related to before. Taxation. It’s mentioned in the first few verses of Luke 2:

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

This Christmas it definitely feels like I’m being taxed. Losing both parents in such a short time and with my mom leaving in December, it feels like a big taxation. But God is good. And there are these verses:

 

10 Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

God is good. I’ve had a few strengthening experiences to hopefully get me through the rest of the week. One was this morning at the Richfield cemetery. I ran there this morning and shed some tears but also felt strengthened and ready to do what I need to do tomorrow.

December 9, 2023

Listening to Rachael play in Messiah at Snow College was a happy moment from this very sad week. The Hallelujah Chorus was awesome!  “Let us live in the spirit of ‘hallelujah,’ ever praising the Lord God Jehovah.” - President Nelson. Amen. 

Had a stop in Richfield to take mom's temple clothes to Bruce at the mortuary.  I found a couple great photos:

My mom on the right:

December 8, 2023

Oh mom. You weren’t supposed to go just yet. I know I told you it was fine but now I’m not so sure. But what a gift your time in the hospital ended up being (and so very very hard). Also a gift that you went quickly and that you were ready and happy to face death. 

Alma 27:28 - they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.

 

1973 above, 2022 below

 

December 6, 2023

Got my sweet mom settled in Richfield. Unfortunately it is with hospice and not rehab. She had Don call me so she could tell me goodbye. I told her I would see her on Friday. She said - ok, but I hope not. :). I have a feeling she may be right. Picture from yesterday as she was leaving the hospital.

December 1, 2023

This quote keeps coming to mind:

 “Time heals all wounds.” No, it doesn’t! Time doesn’t heal anything. Jesus, with time and over time, heals all wounds. - Elder McKay, BYU Speech March 2021.

I hope my mom can get feeling better quickly. It has been such a hard couple days for her (and us) since she has been in so much pain with her broken hip. Today with seeing her so miserable was harder than my dad’s funeral.