Memories and Reunions

Oh my goodness! I think this is the longest I've gone in between posts since I started using this as a journal. I feel sad that I haven't been more diligent. I also recognize that I've been extremely busy with work. I really am!

The last couple of weeks were full of memories and reunions and I'm still just brimming with joy because of the blessing of good friends and an idyllic upbringing. 

On Friday, March 11, I went with Kim and Rich Blight from the Manila 2nd Ward to Max Rose's wedding reception. It was at the nursery that backed up to the home in American Fork where we raised the kids. It was WONDERFUL! There were so many people from the old ward. I fully expected to see Keenan there, and was as prepared as I could be. He was close to the Rose family, but he wasn't there. I saw so many, many supportive and loving friends. It was the first big event in the old neighborhood since the divorce. I've been to bridal showers, but this was bigger. Kim and Rich are great friends. I had a wonderful time. Everyone seemed sincerely interested in my wellbeing and in the kids' wellbeing. 

Saturday morning, I went to the funeral of Brother David Young, who died at age 87. He was a wonderful, kind member of my ward here. He took homemade bread to new neighbors, he baked treats for the primary children, and he was a talented stained glass artist. He was a retired dentist from Southern California, so we had some fun conversations. He went in for a routine procedure and had a bad reaction and passed away. He'd been longing to be reunited with his sweet wife for 19 months. I'd never met her, but he talked so lovingly of her. Ward members seemed genuinely happy for his reunion with her. At his request, the primary children sang. It was an absolutely beautiful celebration of a good life. 

From there, I went to Provo for the funeral of LaVere Adams, the best teacher I've ever known. He and his wife Karelyn are the parents of Cami Adams Hansen, my childhood best friend. I spent many, many nights at the Adams' house. I went to many birthday parties. I looked forward to many roadshows and youth activities planned by Brother Adams. I was also lucky enough to have him as my seminary teacher twice. The story of the Pool of Bethesda is one of my favorites because of the way Brother Adams taught the story. He acted out how difficult it must have been for the disabled man to get to the pool first for the healing waters to do their work. My sister Karen was in town from Colorado and she and mom went with me to the funeral. It was the ultimate Pleasanton reunion. There were people there from the following families: McCleary, Mano, Mori, Morris, Hemming, Hansen, Adams, Burnett, Peterson, Larsen, Coburn (oldest son, Hal, drove down from Idaho just days after his sister Michelle passed away), and many more. Mom took photos of everyone. She was in her element. Brother and Sister Adams were both musical and their kids and grandkids inherited the talent. Each of the 5 kids spoke. The grandkids sang a song. Sister Adams and her kids and their spouses closed the funeral singing "We Can Be Together Forever," with grandkids joining from their seats, then walking up to the stand. All of LaVere's posterity was testifying through song. It was wonderful. As he would have wanted, there were treats and games in the cultural hall afterwards. We stayed and visited for over an hour. It was very healing for me. I loved my childhood and it was great to reminisce about such a great time. 

I'm grateful Karen always insists on a photo while we're taking our walk together. 

If that wasn't a good enough day, I had an appointment for initiatories at the temple, so I got to spend time reflecting on my covenants and the blessings of eternity that I am trying to earn. 

Then Karen came with me to American Fork. We picked up Kim Blight and the 3 of us went to Jess Hewlett's wedding reception. Sandy Hewlett is one of my walking friends. Once again, many friends from our American Fork neighborhood were there. It was so fun to connect and visit. 

To say my heart was FULL is an understatement!

Yesterday I got to be the guest at Mackenzie Christensen's baptism and her brother Benjamin's blessing. I've known Amy and Dane Christensen since they moved to American Fork, when Amy was pregnant with Mackenzie. Amy and I were assigned to be visiting teaching companions. I learned so much from Amy about visiting teaching. Once I offered to go alone because her life was busy. She asked if we could schedule a time when she could go so she wouldn't miss out on the blessings. I love that woman! I got to sleep at their house with Mackenzie when Amy gave birth to Scarlett. I had since moved when Ben was born, but I took them dinner and have enjoyed maintaining a friendship with them. Amy and Carrie Gibson are my Starbucks visiting teaching friends. We used to meet at Starbucks about every month and talk for hours. Many friends were at the baptism, including Trudy and Gary Barnes, Ginger and Scott Livingston, Brenda Wilbur, Trina and Mick Preece, Candy Kinser, Derrick Snyder and his son (mom Lauren was home resting as she had just had an embryo implanted), and Theresa Escalante and her kids. So many reasons to feel loved and blessed.