Amy & Jeremy

Amy & Jeremy

Alexis & Amy

Alexis

Jeremy & Jordan

Jordan

Amy & Jeremy, Alexis & Jordan

I remember our family vacations to your house.  After driving for days I'm sure we arrived bedraggled and perhaps a little whiffy.  Your house always smelled like someone was cooking and usually someone was.  We were always welcomed and fed.  You allowed us to stomp around in the irrigation water used on the yard with one simple rule "don't drink the water" which I'm pretty sure we did anyways.  Not lots but perhaps just a taste.  I remember "digging to china" in the sandbox-playing at the park-walking to Sheralees-hunting tadpoles-getting my finger wrapped up in the beaters of a mixer and passing out-grandpa saved me.  The basement-although VERY scary- was a treasure trove and all the goodies in the freezer?  No one could bust us for sneaking out of that freezer!

Although none of us were EVER starving we were fed like we hadn't seen a meal in weeks.  Grandpa rousting us out of bed for breakfast. The LLLOOONNNGGG breakfast blessings as us kids all stared at each other under the table-knees falling asleep-but we learned that you loved each of us enough to pray for us personally. All the cereal options and we could eat as much as we wanted.  I learned about Jimmy Dean sausage sandwiches.  Two glasses at breakfast.  WOW!  Cases of juice in the fridge.  I knew Grandma and Grandpa must have been rich with all the food in their house!  The summer we lived with you Jordan must have eaten a whole field of potatoes by himself!  And ice cream for dessert every night-white, brown, and stripes-no matter how we took it-cone or bowl-grandpa always got the first bite off the serving spoon!

As I went to college, you made sure that I had all the necessities and that I arrived safely.  Grandpa spending the whole trip giving me all the history between Rupert and Ephraim.  We listened to the big bands and Grandma hummed along.  You settled me in and charmed my roommates.  It was a lonely time for me and I couldn't wait for Thanksgiving when I could return to you.

I learned the value of being a courteous traveler from you Grandma.  Every public toilet was Lysoled before we used it and not just one toilet either.  ALL the toilets were sprayed.  After we washed our hands the sinks were wiped dry and the counters-"so the next travelers would have a clean bathroom"-I learned every clean reststop between Rupert and wherever our adventures were taking us.  That's very important to someone who is a germphob.  Believe me...I MISS THAT!

I remember Grandpa laying his hands upon my head and giving me a priesthood blessing-Grandpa delivering homemade bread to his home teaching families and anyone else he though might need some cheering up.  Grandpa always making sure to make all my favorite treats when I visited-I will confess that I always prayed mightily that no other "visitors " would show up-I DID NOT WANT TO SHARE MY LOOT!  Grandpa made these special for ME!

I remember staying up all night with Grandma talking about the complexities of life.  You were always such a good listener and a good friend.  However it didn't matter if we stayed up all night talking-Grandpa expected us at breakfast the next morning.

I remember you taking me to my surgery and waiting all day in the lobby.  That meant a lot to me since I was very scared.  The staff loved you.  Once I was released with the instructions that I was to only have a "light" supper we went to Wendys and Grandpa convinced me that I was tough enough for a burger and a frosty and probably some fries-it didn't take me long to violently vomit that up-Grandma getting worried when I emerged from the bathroom bloody...

You took such good care of everyone.  Watching you take care of your aging grandparents.  The love and dignity your showed.  I remember being terrified the first time I was left to watch Grandma Thompson.  I remember feeling Grandma Merrill's spirit as she came to say goodbye to her friend Grandma Thompson...that's the kind of home you had.

To me the most special part of your house was the wall where all our pictures hung.  It was a sad day when Alexis learned that her picture would not hang there as that wall was for the grandkids.  She so wanted her senior picture to hang on that wall.

I have been truly blessed to have you in my life-you have taught me the pure love of our Savior, not with your words but with your example.  Your home has always been a haven of safety and love-a place where we were never judged-just loved to death.  Everyone you have contact with leaves a better person.

My family is so honored to be here to share your birthday with you this day- we love you so much.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!