"Where's my family??"

When I was 19, I left town for three weeks to be in the cast of the Hill Cumorah Pageant in upstate New York. Upon my return, as I walked up the front sidewalk to my family's home, I discovered.....the house was empty!! My family had moved while I was gone. Now this was way before cell phones, so they had no way to warn me, but I swear there was no discussion about moving before I left. I had no idea where to find them, so I called my grandma and asked her, "Where's my family???" She said, "Oh, they moved out to West Mountain". Turns out my dad decided my five younger brothers didn't have enough to do, so he bought a farm with 15-acres of apple trees. There was a small home on the property with three bedrooms. My parents had a room; my grandpa, who was living with us at the time had a room; and my five brothers shared one room. That left the couch for me on the weekends......at least for the next year until I was married. Every fall I remember those crisp, juicy apples we could pick right off the trees. At some point, mom and dad moved back into town, but our West Mountain farm has always remained in our memories and my brothers learned the value of work, just the way dad had intended.

"Over the Hill"

We've reached the summit of the hill, the one that they call life.

We've traveled along that winding road together as man and wife.

We've had some speed bumps along the way, but the view at the top is clear.

Remember it's always best to look through the windshield, not the rear.

Look up, not down, and you will see a vast and wondrous view

Of other hills yet to be climbed there are still many things to do.

So let's begin our journey on the roads that lie ahead

And gather still more memories, let's not fill our minds with dread.

We'll hold onto each other when the road gets bumpy or dark,

And enjoy the ride together until we have to park. ~ nlp

November 8, 1968

Our wedding

When I think of June, I think of weddings, so I thought I'd share the story of our wedding. First, of course, I have to write about the engagement. My boyfriend was serving a mission in Western Canada and unbeknownst to me, he bought a diamond ring and sent it home with his companion who delivered it to his father. On Christmas Eve, I was given a gift to open. Upon opening the ring, his father got down on his knees and asked me if I would marry his son. True story!! When my boyfriend returned from his mission, I gave the ring back and told him if he still wanted to marry me, he had to ask me himself. Of course, I wouldn't let him out of the room until he did. We were married in November in the Salt Lake Temple. The church hall was decorated in fall colored flowers. My bridesmaids wore floor length, gold, satin gowns. Each of them held a long stem yellow rose and a handkerchief edged with crocheted lace created by my grandmother. My wedding dress cost $11. Yes, $11.00!! My mother-in-law helped me make it out of damask drapery fabric. It was a floor length, A-line dress with long sleeves. To me, it's value was priceless. I borrowed my best friend's veil which had a bubble headpiece and a long train. My bouquet was a white orchid surrounded by yellow roses. Our honeymoon consisted of a weekend in a cabin in the mountains...then it was back to work and school. That was 42 years ago.....wonderful husband, wonderful memories.

How Am I Doing Lord?

"How am I doing Lord?" I ask as I kneel to pray.
Am I keeping the commandments you have given me today?
Are you proud to call me daughter? Please let me know you care.
For tomorrow I'll be kneeling in another earnest prayer
Asking, "Lord, how am I doing?" I need to know again.
Oh let me hear the answer, before I say "Amen".
And then I feel a stirring, deep within my heart
"I'm proud to call you daughter, for you have done your part.
I know you need to feel my love, to know I really care.
And as you kneel each night to pray, please know that I'll be there." ~ NLP