Kimberly & Leith

Kim & Leith

Coty

Makenzie & Taliah

Trevor

Grandpa and Grandma,

I remember a lot about you. I remember that there was always laughter at you
house. There was always joy and love and peace. Not to be confused with peach and
quiet. Just a feeling of peace and safety. Your home has always been filled with
family and it's always been obvious that is where your heart is. With your family.
 When I think of the scripture of standing in holy places, to me, that is your
home.

I remember coming down for a reunion when we were little. We put Kevin on a bench
and used food storage to play hospital. He was the patient. Grandpa happened to
come down. He was so maaaaaad. Food storage was to be eaten. Not for anesthesia.
Your basement was where Lauralee brought me food when I was so sick. Where
Sheralee and I did puzzles. Where I watched old black and white movies with you.
I still love black and white movies.

I remember all the cousins playing in the backyard between softball games. Grandpa
flooding the yard. That was so fun. Way better than the sprinklers we used in
Alaska. Sparklers at 4th of July. Grandma giving us bazooka bubble gum.

Food. Lots and lots of food! I don't care how many people invaded, I mean stopped
to visit, there was always plenty of food. And every single person had their very
favorite. Even if many trips were made to the store. My favorite was "squeaky
cheese" aka cheese curds. And there was always room at the inn. No matter what
time of the day or night it was. And visitors never went to bed without being fed
first. And the homemade goodies! Obviously I really like to eat.

I remember Sunday mornings and all the family, and I mean ALLLL of the family
getting ready for church. It must have been a family reunion. I loved that so
much. To me it was what the song Families Can be Together Forever was all about.

I remember the road trip up the California coast. Big band music blaring, air
conditioner blasting, Grandpa's finger wagging, Grandma's head just a-bobbing from
beneath her sweater. I remember you two smiling for the whole day as you watched
and waited for Sheralee and I to get off the rides at Disneyland. And Grandpa
putting his feet up on the wall at the end of the day because they hurt so bad. It
always stuck with me that my joy was more important than the pain that I never knew
about until we got back to the hotel room. You have always put others first.
Grandma, I've never heard you say one bad word about anyone. You've always been
able to find the good in people.
 
I remember the recent trip to California when Andrew got married. You two have
 always loved to go along for the ride and we had fun. I remember Grandma sitting
on her walker waiting for Grandpa to get out of one of the many shops in San
Fransisco. We waited and waited and he finally came back out with a bag of
Grandma's favorite candy. That she then shared with everybody. I think this
 irritated Grandpa a little.
 
Something that has always awed me is how Grandma has never forgotten a single
birthday, anniversary, or Christmas. The $2 bills in the birthday cards and
favorite candy at Christmas. And the big ole box or Idaho Spuds!! I will never
forget how I always felt in your home. Loved. I asked Coty and Kenzie what they
would like to do if we ever get to go on a vacation again and the first thing they
said was to go to your house. Not the theme parks, the state parks, the national
 parks. They want to come to your home.
 
McKenzie remembers the pictures of a temple in every room in the house and getting
sick from the cheese curds. Coty said that what he remembers most about coming out
last time was the quiet at your house. Well, that can't be right. Merrill's
aren't quiet. But there is a peace in your home that brings peace and quiet to a
persons soul. And that is hard to find in today's world. The only other place I
feel it is at the temple.
 
Grandpa and Grandma, I love you. You are a blessing and a joy to your posterity
and there are a lot of us. I am honored to be a part of your family. If I had to
describe you each in one word...Christlike. Happy Birthday!! All the way from
 Alaska. We love you.
 
The Earll Family