Loss of a Loved One

This last weekend I was in Alabama with my sister Sandi at our Uncles' funeral. He was 97 years old and he was an incredible man. Not only was he still working the day he died he was every bit aware that he was in a whole lot of trouble that day. We heard from my cousin the hour just after he died in the hospital and we found a flight out on Thursday. We arrived one day too late to see the memorial at the funeral home, but my Aunt told us that there was close to 500 people that came to pay their last respects. Can you imagine? Most of the people in this small town of Eutaw, Alabama either was related to my Uncle or someone that he had done work for, or was at church with, or had some acquaintance with over his years of living in the same place since he was born. He worked for the same store( a repair service for washers, dryers and refrigerators) for over 75 years. He still drove himself to  work, the store, church and out to the country where he loved to go. He was a charming, warm and sincere man who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked for it. He was religious, a mason and a deacon in his church. He very much reminded me of his brother (my Dad) because he looked just like him. My Dad died almost 4 years ago. Because of the distance apart my Dad and my Uncle only saw each other every once in awhile in their later years. Whenever we would have a family reunion, I think the first one I heard of or went to was in 1977, Josh and Jessica flew with me to Illinois when they were just toddlers to that one. I haven't gone to all of them, but I have tried to go to as many as I could. I grew up not really knowing them much. I don't ever remember meeting my Dads' parents. But over the years I have grown to love all my Southern relatives. There is nothing like the South. Everyone you meet is gracious and really polite(not like CA in any way) Men hold open doors, say yes 'mam, and really look you in the eye when

they talk to you. On the day they buried my Uncle, the Masonic lodge did the funeral, it was fascinating. I learned alot of what they stand for and how they do things. It was raining that morning and there was probably 200 people in attendance. I was very touched at the thought

of how many people truely loved my Uncle. I know he was celebrating in Heaven with all his family that have passed and his Savior Jesus Christ. The cemetary is full of ancestors on both sides of our family. He had a plot with his wife(who died in 1991), and room still for his daughter and son when they pass. I love the cemetaries back there. They are full of such history of the land. This particular one is full of  civil war veterans(both white and black) which wasn't always done back then. As I said, alot of family is there too, dating back to the early 1800's. Every time I go to Alabama I learn alittle bit more of my family. After the funeral, we went to my Uncles' house, it was the meeting place for everyone. For the next few days lots of family and friends stopped by, with food and wanted to tell us how wonderful my Uncle was to them. It is a thing that the south does, lots of food, they want to feed you all the time. We would have a meal and then just after we cleaned the kitchen up, they were fixing the next meal. It was crazy!! There is a lot of love for everyone. It was very hard if not impossible to leave without everyone hugging and kissing you a hundred times. I will never forget my Uncle or all the love he had in his heart for all of us. I don't think anyone else will ever forget him

either.

 It is hard coming back home whenever I go on a trip. Its all the coming back to normal, and getting real life back on track. Especially now, during this election stuff. Things are heating up with the Prop.8 vote, and we are being asked to contribute our time as much as we

can. I can value this opportunity to serve my church as well as the American people as we fight to save the value of Family as we know it. Everyone is working so hard to make our voices heard. I can't think of another time in my life that an election has made such an impact on me and my family. I just hope the outcome is one that we can live with.

Shelby is having her last tennis match this Thursday. Tennis season goes by so fast. She has enjoyed the time with her fellow tennis players, and really loves tennis. Although she has many other things she is involved with, she will miss it when it is over. But just

because its over, won't mean she will stop playing. It is a sport she will be able to play the rest of her life. I like that about Tennis. She is also trying to send out her applications for college. It is hard this time of her life. There are so many things she wants to do, and yet she is trying to figure everything out. I remember how hard that was? I only know we just have a few more months with her at home with us and then we will be childless. I am not ready to handle that one yet. I know it will be a big change. Thank goodness we have some of our married kids and grandkids near by that will ease the pain of the emptiness. Its weird  to think that that time in my life will be over. I guess I have been doing it so long I can't remember what it will be like to not have kids at home? Maybe...just maybe by then I might be ready for the change. But I doubt it!!!!

Happy Halloween

      I can't believe it is October.

Where did September go?

     This last weekend we went to utah. We had a great time with Jessica and her family. It was fun to see the grandkids and play with them all.  It rained the whole time we were there, but it was nice. I love the rain especially when  you don't have to go anywhere. It all went by so fast

(it was just the weekend). I am wishing for a repeat maybe in a few months. I caught a cold while I was gone. I hate this, sniffing and coughing and  just feeling miserable, can't breathe, yukky!! Maybe I just need to rest a little and it will go away. :)

      Next weekend we will be on the road again this time to Flagstaff, to visit Scott and Ashley. We haven't seen them since July and we are missing them so much. This time we will be traveling with Josh & Rachel and their kids, and Toby & Rae and their kids. We are staying in a little cabin just outside of Flagstaff. It should be a fun little trip. Maybe we will get a chance to enjoy some fall weather. At night up there it is in the 40's already. I can't wait. I love the fall. The cool crisp air makes me want to make all those comfort foods. ( not that I need all those

wonderful comfort foods). Just sounds good.

I have been trying to get more things done at home, and not so much running around. I think its mostly because of the gas prices, but now and then I go a little crazy and want to just get out of the house. Guess where I usually go? If you guessed a craft store or scrapbook store you would be right. I can't seem to stay away from them. I love the feel of the paper and all the fun decorating tips. I always have.  I have been dong a card swap for a while now. It is so much fun! Besides just getting out of the house and visiting with friends, I go home with some pretty cute cards. Thanks to all those involved it is always a fun night. I love making cards just about as much as I love scrapbooking. It kinda goes hand in hand if you think about it. What do you do with all those scraps?

As the national election is getting closer and closer I find myself hoping that the amercian people will do the right thing. I am scared to think of what this world is becoming. I know that Heavenly Father watches over us, and knows what is going on. I just have to keep my thoughts from wandering about. I just want America to be like it was when I grew up, ok....alittle better than when I grew up. I just pray for my family that they will all be able to live and prosper. I want so much for them, we as parents never stop wishing for that. I just have to believe that things will be the way they are supposed to be and just deal with it.