We threw a Halloween party for our kids and their friends. It was fun, but tiring because it was our first slumber party for the older girls. Adle was in charge of taking pictures and sadly, we did not get one of her in costume. We must remedy that!
Yes, I threw together a costume for school and this is the result. Many of my students asked me what I was. I, in turn, asked them what they thought I was. The answers ranged from Brittany Spears to Diva.Hmmm...
Bart spent the first week in October in eastern Wyoming, visiting his friend Jeff Tosh and family. He redid their kitchen but most importantly, fit in time to hunt. He is mighty proud of the deer he took down in less than an hour of hunting.
Bart with Jeff: Thank you Jeff, for showing Bart a great time! Bart and the kids had a fun time chopping up the meat upon his return.
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38
When MerriLyn was born, eight years ago, I knew there was a good chance she could be born on her Grandpa Brown's birthday. Well, she was born September 21, six days before his birthday. But it just so happened that this year her baptism fell on Grandpa Brown's birthday, September 27th. It made for a wonderful day full of family and good decisions. Thank you to the family that traveled to be with us on her special day. I think that the following poem fits the occasion perfectly.
SUCCESS What is success? To laugh often and much; To win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dad with MerriLyn as a baby. What is success? Following the example of my father, B.W.B.
Here is a copy of her baptism program:
Baptism of MerriLyn Smithson
September 27, 2008
3:00 pm Lovelake Chapel
Taylor, AZ
Conducting: Taylor 4th Ward Bishopric- Brother Owens
Even though it has been more than 3 months there are moments that my heart still aches about the loss of my father. Tonight, my 6 year-old son, Brisbane, was saying his prayers. They started out very routine until he got very quiet and his voice cracked. He asked Heavenly Father to bless Grandpa Brown that he would get well so he could see him again. When he was done with his prayers he said, "Mom, I really miss Grandpa and Grandma Brown." I then explained that he would see Grandma very soon because she is coming to Grandparent's Day in couple weeks. I went on to tell him that he would not see Grandpa very soon because his body could not recover from his illnesses and he passed away. I asked him, with tears streaming down my face, if he remembered the funeral this summer and he did. He said, "I just really miss him." So do I Brisbane, so do I. We will keep him close in our hearts. We will reminisce about all the good times we had with him and we will look at his pictures often.
I started out this school year having my students do a "Brown Bag project". (No pun intended.) This consisted of each student bringing things about themselves and to describe themselves, but they had to fit into a brown bag. I demonstrated on the 3rd day of school and in my bag I had a copy of my dad's funeral program. Each time I got to that part, my voice would quaver and sometimes I teared up. I was not sure why I shared what was close to my heart with junior high students, except that in each class I had students come up to me afterwards and say, "My mom died when I was 6 and I still cry about it, Mrs. S." or "My dad left us when I was 10 and it makes me cry too." The Instructional Aide in one class has become a support unit for me because she shared her grieving process. A few years ago her granddaughter was killed in a car accident and shortly thereafter her daughter committed suicide. Little did they know that their stories made me bawl on my way home but also made me grateful for the good father that he was and all of the beautiful time I was able to spend with him here on earth.
As I told a neighbor who just lost a grandchild, the sense of loss is still the same whether the loved one is 6 weeks or 66 years old. There is just never enough time with them here on earth. Grieving is taking precious memories and putting them into your everyday life, never forgetting, but finding a different kind of normal.
Bart, Angela, Adle, MerriLyn, Brisbane, Lily~ Christmas 2006 in Texas
My Dad and I NAU Master's Ceremony, Flagstaff, AZ December 2006 He has been gone 3 months now and I miss him so much. He always encouraged me to achieve my goals and keep my chin up when times were tough.
We threw a Halloween party for our kids and their friends. It was fun, but tiring because it was our first slumber party for the older girls. Adle was in charge of taking pictures and sadly, we did not get one of her in costume. We must remedy that!
Birthday Breakfast: Pink pancakes and Toffe Hot Chocolate. October 11, 2008
