Letter to Mom from Ann

 November 25, 2010

My Dearest Mother,

    A great void is in my heart today knowing that you will not be able

to join our family for Thanksgiving this year. I wanted to make it

special for you anyway so I decided that we could bring Thanksgiving

to you instead. I asked all of my siblings to join me in doing so and

they have all sent me letters of thanksgiving in your honor. Here is

my letter of gratitude.

    Thank you first of all for giving me life. I wouldn’t be here if it

weren’t for you. I wouldn’t know what it is to be a mother myself or

the joys motherhood brings.  You have been so supportive in helping me

with my own children and helping wherever you are able. Your kindness

will not be forgotten.

    Thinking back, I remember how important is was to you to have our

pictures done and how you liked curling my unruly hair. There isn’t a

time when I’m curling my own daughters’ hair that I don’t think of

those times. There are so many times that I wish I had taken a picture

of this or that moment  and I now know why you were so adamant about

taking the time do so. Thank you for teaching me through your example

to capture these moments before they are gone.

    Another memory that keeps coming to my mind is a Christmas at your

old trailer in Reno. I think I was about 7. You had made me a dress

that was very pretty and you had my hair all curled up. You have a

picture of me in your album of the day I’m thinking of.  I came and

sat on your lap and snuggled into you and I remember how safe I felt

in your arms how much you loved me. I even think I was sucking my

thumb, I was so comfy. Thank you for loving me so tenderly and giving

me your time.

    There are so many more memories and thank yous that I could write

about. Unfortunately, I lack the time to do so. But I have one more

that I will mention. I have watched you these last few years struggle

with your physical as well as your mental limitations and have wished

so many times that I could take it for you to offer some relief. There

are times I’m so frustrated that I didn’t have more time to build a

better relationship and get to know my uninhibited mother better.

However, there is a happy and unexpected outcome to all of these

struggles that I want to thank you for. Through loving you and serving

you, I have come to love you as your Savior does. Unconditionally,

without reservation. Mother, thank you for giving me the opportunity

to come to know this love. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind He

has a special place prepared for you and I look forward to the day

when we all will be together again in our perfect forms with eternity

to build the family ties we were meant to have. May the Lord comfort

you through these trying times and walk by your side until He calls

you home to His restful peace. I love you, Mother more than words can

justify. Happy Thanksgiving!

Forever your baby,

Ann

Counting Our Blessings--Larry's Accident

Larry left yesterday morning for a meeting in Pocatello. There was a light snow on the road, but nothing to cause too much alarm for driving conditions. He had just gotten up to speed on the freeway when he got into the passing lane to pass an upcoming diesel. He hit either a patch of ice or slush (something slick) and lost complete control of the car. He tried to get the car under control by turning to the right and ended up hitting the gravel on the right side of the road and rolled the car end over end 3+ times taking out a road sign and about 30ft.of fence.

When Larry lost control of the car he maintained a death grip on the steering wheel to avoid being ejected. He maintained that grip throughout the whole experience until the car finally came to a complete stop at which time the steering column collapsed. What a miracle! A trucker behind him that saw the accident immediately called 911 and came to his rescue calling out and asking if anybody was alive. His brother Leland was the officer on duty and pulled up to see Larry crawling out of the broken back window of the car.

We shudder to think about all of the things that could have happened. We are so grateful for divine intervention. This experience has shaken us up and helped us remember what is really important in life.