Virginia, in the middle, is totally deaf but she still comes to the book reviews. She likes our company. She wants to do something worthwhile with her time. She is such a cute lady. She comes and reads the lips of the reviewer.
This is Afton. She started coming to book group many years ago but then her husband got sick and she had to stay home and care for him. When he passed away she started to join us again. I love her sweet spirit and I really miss her when she is not there.
This is Ivy, in the middle. This month she brought her mother and her husband. Her mother often joins us but this was the first time for her husband. I think he will be back. Ivy has also been with me for the entire 16 years. She is so kind. I just love visiting with her.
R.E.A.D. Book Group has been a highlight in my life. I have met some of the best people I know in this group. I'm am constantly uplifted by their examples and through their friendship. The hardest part has been when some of them have passed away. I miss them so much. I would like to mention three of those.
Bea - my stake partriarch's wife and my grandpa's cousin. She died this last Christmas and I have missed her terribly. She was one of the cutest ladies I have ever met. I knew her my whole life. Every time I gave a review or a presentation she would make her famous homemade fudge and bring me some. I miss that too. No one makes fudge like Bea.
Aunt Afton - I met Afton when I was in elementary school. My parents were divorced and I was a little lost. She was the school librarian and she invited me to come into the library and help her put away books and whatever else she needed. Many people thought she was a ornery old lady but not me. I loved her. When my mom remarried she married Afton's nephew so she became family. It was so fun to have her come to my book reviews every month for years until she died of heart disease. I miss her too.
Edith - My words will not do justice to how I feel about Edith. She would come to book group every month dressed in the cutest sweat suits because she was coming from aerobics class. She was in her eighties. She also lovingly cared for her invalid husband for years in her home even though many told her she should admit him to a facility and make it easier on herself. She was one of the most amazing people I have every met. One of her daughters had tragically died of asthma years before I met her. She said that I reminded her of that daughter. We became very close. I asked her to review for me and she did it willingly and beautifully. Sometimes she would stop by my house and bring me a loaf of bread right out of the oven. She made a quilt for Parker when he was a baby. When she was preparing her last book review on a book called Jim the Boy she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During that time I worked with her on the review and we had high hopes of her being able to do it. She died just a couple of weeks before she was to give it and I thought my heart would break. I gave it for her and found it very difficult to get through it. Oh, how I miss Edith.
When Edith realized that she was going to die she wrote this beautiful letter to her loved ones. I was so blessed to be one of those who received it.
Dear loved ones:
I hope by now that some of the initial shock of my departure has begun to wear away... and that the kind carpet of pleasant memories has started to unroll.
I only ask one thing: No sad tears for me please. Every wonderful, delightful thrill, experiences and emotion life has to offer has been mine. So, no sad tears for me, please.
Rather, recall me with a fond smile as the wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who shared your laughter, tears and dreams through the years....
I lived a goodly span of years -- and enjoyed them all. I've laughed a lot, cried a little - I've seen a thousand sunsets and a few fresh dawns, walked in April rain, and watched an ocean roll.
I loved a man and was loved in return. . . I've cradled daughters in my arms. . . and walked with the hand of a son in my own. . . and my grandchildren gladden my heart.
Life was good - I saw robins in the spring - watched a shooting star and the snows of winter, walked under a harvest moon, and stood on top of a high hill and watched the flickering lights of a town.
Think of the happy times: The Christmas mornings. . . the grandchildren. . . the weddings. . . most of all, remember the hundreds of times we were together as a family.
On Christmas Eve, if there is a small star in the sky, look to it with love and let it come into your heart. . . and remember me. For no one dies as long as one person remembers.
You might be standing on a mountain top, looking across the sweep of a great plain. . . and if there is a sudden, gentle stirring among the trees. . . feel I am sharing the moment with you.
A mom never really dies while there are those on earth who love her. . . A mom is never gone as long as there are those who remember her with fondness and as long as her memory evokes a wistful smile.
I'm always amazed at what Brian is able to accomplish with the Men's Choir. He does such a great job conducting. That concert may have been Kayla's last one (we hope not) so it was a little bittersweet. We have so enjoyed watching her perform all of these years. We look forward to a lifetime of watching Brian perform.
On Friday we had the pleasure of attending Brian's Senior Voice Recital. I truly do not have the words to express how wonderful that was. I'm usually not at a loss for words so this was really something. He totally blew me away once again. He has such a beautiful voice and watching him was so entertaining. Just awesome.
I have decided that it is a good thing that Kayla fell in love with Brian before she discovered all of these wonderful things about him. She just loves him for the man he is. Everything else is a bonus.
After the concert on Friday we went to Brian's "adopted" grandparents house and had dinner and visiting. It was so fun.
One of the highlights of the whole trip was getting to spend time with Brian's parents JC and Sandi. We love them! They are two of the best people I have ever met. Tim and I sat with them at the concert on Thursday, and spent a few hours with them on Friday. We folded Brian's recital programs, discussed the wedding and went to lunch. The only bad part was that it ended too soon.
On Saturday we went to conference with Brian and Kayla. In between conference sessions we went to a fun little diner to eat. They have really long french fries.That night Brian went to the Priesthood session of conference with Tim. Kayla and I accomplished some things she was needing to get done. Later on that night I just hung around Kayla's apartment and enjoyed being with her and Brian. It is pretty fun to just listen to them and observe them. I loved every minute of it. It's always hard to say goodbye so I am always looking forward to the next time I'll get to spend some time with them.
