The Hunter

NOW THAT's A HOTTIE WITH A RACK!

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.

The Wyoming countryside.

MerriLyn's Baptism

"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 4^th Ward Bishopric- Brother Owens

Opening Song: “If the Savior Stood Beside Me”

Chorister: Aunt Bethany Hutchins

Accompanist: Aunt Amanda Hall

Opening Prayer: Grandpa Gary Smithson

Talk on Baptism: Grandma Brown

Special Musical Number: Cousins of MerriLyn

“When Jesus Christ Was Baptized”

Chorister: Cousin HeartLee Harman

Pianist: Cousin Brooklyn Brown

Baptism of MerriLyn Smithson by her father,

Gary Bartley Smithson

Interlude Music: Aunt Camille Smithson as pianist

And Adle Smithson on violin

Talk on Holy Ghost: Grandma Kathe Smithson

Confirmation of MerriLyn Smithson by her father,

Gary Bartley Smithson

Remarks from Brother Owens

Closing Song: “When I Am Baptized”

Chorister: Aunt Dessie Harman

Pianist: Aunt Tiffany Campbell

Closing Prayer: Cousin Hayden Harman

My Heart Still Aches

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.

I love you, Dad!

Our First Blog

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.

Brent Whiting Brown Family
December 2004


Gary O. Smithson Family Reunion
July 2008