To be remembered

18 years ago, we celebrated the 50th anniversary for my mother and father, Jim and Jennie Carlson.
We had invited many of their friends to write and send memories of earlier times with them.
Carolyn has been reading these remembrances again to Dad, and I thought that there were some that were worth sharing. My children were quite young at that party, and we have always lived away from Denver so they may not have had a chance to read some of these treasured and poignant memories.
So I am going to post a few over the next while that I think show what great people Jim and Jennie are.

Sept. 21, 1993

Dear Jim {Enos} and Jennie,

Congratulations! Fifty years is quite an accomplishment, but there was no doubt that you two would make it. Our thoughts went back to the old Western States Mission experience and the wonderful times we shared with you during that time. Last year we had opportunity and pleasure to visit with Helen and Crawford Davis in Medford, Oregon and of course Jennie and Jim were a very large part of our conversation.

To remember any one special event that we enjoyed together at that time is difficult to recall, but one special event I do recall was an occasion when I found myself almost quietly coveting something that was given to Jim by Elder Hartman Rector.

Jim, do you recall the occasion when President Redd was called to preside over the Mission. Elder Hartman Rector came from Salt Lake to set us apart as Counselors to President Redd. I was set apart first, and given a wonderful blessing by Elder Rector; then it was your turn. Hands were laid upon your head and you were set apart; the first words of your blessing by Elder Rector were “President Carlson, your sins are forgiven you.” It was a moving experience for me, one which I had never been a part of before. I would have paid money for that, but it could not have happened to a greater Guy. I later justified it by understanding that you probably had not had any sins prior to your blessing. We will be thinking of you two, and the joy you have brought into our lives.

We love you,

Don and Carrell Thorpe

Watching the news

tonight I watched the news and listened to a woman in Japan, a survivor of the earthquake and tsunami. She said that every one she knew was gone, dead, washed away from her town. It just struck me as so incredibly tragic. It is one hardship to have to deal with loss of a home, roads, transportation, a job, access to food. But to lose Everyone? I can hardly imagine the sorrow and loneliness and sadness. I'm sure evacuation centers and government workers will care for her needs like food and shelter. But to lose all her relationships so suddenly? Heartbreaking. Makes me feel guilty to just be able to call someone, drive in my car to work, see friends at church. It makes me want to hug everyone in my life that I love and care for and even have a casual acquaintance with. I'm praying for all those broken hearts in Japan.

С ДНЁМ РОЖДЕНИЯ

This means: Happy Birthday! It is directed to my Russian speaking son- KC Robinson.
We love you!

Look who I found

Look who I found in my Christmas book! One year we made place cards with photos of all the children and cousins who had played parts in our Nativities through the years. Such fun memories. We have Joseph, an angel, a shepherd and Mary. Sweet. I'll never forget the year that one cousin wanted to be Mary, then got shy. The other cousin loudly stated as the group was ready to enter the room, "Mary does not want to come!" I think Nicole and KC stepped in to play the parts of Mary and Joseph (and they were in college).

I'm sure we still have that robe - Clyde got it for our wedding and it has only been used for Nativities ever since!

the weather is frightful

Lots of snow - up to my knees and still coming. And it is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow.
Yikes.
In the last 15 hours on our street I have seen:
-10:30 pm, two deer in the middle of the road - not running, just walking slowly as if looking at all the lights.
-7:40 am there was a road grader moving snow on our street - not a snow plow.
- 8 am there was a person on a full size snowmobile going up the road. fast.

What's next?

Sharing the love

Here's some favorites from our mid December trip to visit KC and Emily and the darling grandbabies.
They are so cute, huggable, happy, and fun to be with. Emily is amazing with her organization and speed with which she feeds, bathes, diapers and dresses the crew. KC is the father of triplets! It's still a wonderful miracle.

Ruby

Alex and Bennett - they all love books.
Bennett was still happy even with his ear infection!

Bathtime is a favorite - Alex usually flops on his belly and kicks his feet.

We were sad to leave them all. We are grateful for their health and successful year.

We made it

This is a catch up post about our November trip to Colorado. We decided to go to Denver because everyone wanted to see Grandpa since his trials of the summer - ventilator, pneumonia, septic shock etc.

Clyde and I traveled early on Tuesday, before the 'blizzard that wasn't' hit Provo. Nicole, Casey, Michelle and Cisco could not leave until Wed due to work obligations. After deciding to come, then not, then yes they are coming - they finally left at 5 pm! They drove through Wyoming and had good roads for 5 hours then awful roads for the next 2+ hours. They stayed in the first hotel they saw in Laramie and made it down to Carolyn's in plenty of time for Thanksgiving. It was so good to spend time with Grandpa Carlson, who now lives in a 24 hour care center.All the siblings were there and it was a wonderful time to be together. Clyde was his helpful self, keeping up on the dishes as we cooked!Cousins!

Siblings! We are not as darling and cute anymore, but we still love each other...In order to depart early to beat another storm and take Erin with us, we all pitched in Friday night and decorated Carolyn's tree and house. We had it done in 1 hour. I propose that is how we should all decorate for the holidays!!