Best Plans

The original plan was to coordinate an event.
A hall reserving,
food catering
invitation sending
kind of event.
It was decided upon years in advance.

Through the course of these years
my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
His memory diminished quickly.
First it was events, then friends
and now, occasionally, family.

While an occasional “good” day occurred,
it was evident that such an event would
be a great source of frustration for him
as well as my mother.

An evening of reminding my father of who
he was visiting with and constantly explaining
to guests the current status of his condition
was not an evening anyone would look forward to.

So, the plans changed.
Instead of a grand party,
we celebrated my parents golden anniversary in,
what turned out to be, the perfect way.
A small intimate dinner for 8.

We booked reservations at The Roof,
a restaurant stilling on the top floor of
the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with
a perfect view the the Salt Lake Temple,
the place they were married 50 years ago.

The cherry on top…
a little unknown fact, later revealed
they had their wedding breakfast in that
very same building when it was the Hotel Utah.

(Thanks again to Kylee for documenting the event so well!)

The PERFECT Marriage

Some may say it doesn’t exist.
I say it does.
Not because it IS perfect,
But because it still exists…
with all of its trials and joys,
disagreements and compromises.

When they first met each other
it was right.
They were married months later.
The tough times were tough.
The good times were great.
They worked.
They endured.
They raised a daughter and a son that
are faithful and love the Lord,.
Two children that are raising their own righteous families.
They taught their children
the value of work,
to serve,
to forgive,
to learn from their mistakes,
to repent.
They took in so many that needed a place to stay.
They treated them like family.
They worked side by side, day and night
running their own business,
raising and playing with their children,
serving a full time mission.
The love and enjoy
their children,
their grandchildren,
each other.
Medications made her weak and tired.
He took over the labors of keeping the house clean.
Alzheimer's took his mind and memories.
She explains and reminds him of countless events and people.
And here they are
50 years later…
still overcoming trials,
still compromising,
still serving,
still loving
each other.
Happy Anniversary
Mom and Dad!