Being Ernest

22 days after my fathers passing, 17 days after being laid to rest,
my mother is celebrating their wedding anniversary…
53 years ago today.

These two worked side by side all of their married life.
As parents.
As business owners.
As missionaries.
As eternal companions.

They are two of my greatest examples in love and charity.
My father cared for my mother as long as he was able.
She then took care of him when he was incapable.

Happy Anniversary Mom.
I am certain dad remembers and is blowing you kisses from heaven!

This post comes with a warning

If you can't stand the sight of blood
Stop now, and go no further.

For quite some time now, I have been enduring chromic tendonitis in my elbow.
A cortisone shot helped for a while, but the pain came back.
The options were down to two: surgery or a less evasive procedure
known as a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection.
I opted for the latter.

I was warned of the pain and prepared myself effectively.
It was actually not as bad as I prepared for… I clenched my teeth, but shed no tears.
I little dizziness after I sat up required a moment of rest before leaving the doctors office.

It was fascinating to learn about this procedure…. the power of the body,
the healing nature of blood.
It started with the drawing of 1 ounce of blood.

then the blood is then placed into a centrifuge where separation occurs.
After the separation,  the plasma and red blood cells are discarded and
the white blood cells, platelets and a hint of red blood cells are extracted and prepared for the injection.

The most tender part of the tendon is located and the injection is made.
Scar tissue is created and healing is forced.
The doctor then reminded me that I  have several days of extreme pain….
described as a bruised broken arm.

Naturally, I took time off work, made myself a sling,
and put my husband to work… fixing dinner, putting toothpaste on my toothbrush, putting in my earrings,
getting me ice cream (a natural pain reliever).

I am lucky on so many levels…
talented doctors, creative medical procedures, and a loving, caring husband!

Kinda reminds me of this...

Emptying the nest

First, Taylor leaves for another semester at BYU-Idaho.
Then Kylee leaves for the MTC.
By the end of the month, Evan and I will be (temporarily) empty nesters.

I am not sure what that means for us.
I do know that it is bitter sweet.

I knew I loved Evan before we were married.
I loved him even more on our wedding day.
Each day after, even more.
We loved our time together, and we spent it well.

Then children came.
I loved him even more.

We raised our daughters together.
We were lucky with them.
They never gave us much trouble.
They were as patient with us as we were with them.

All four of us, built our strong family together.
We love spending time with each other.
We love being at home together.
We love laughing and playing together.

Now, one by one, our daughters are leaving us.
Evan and I get to practice being just the two of us again.
That is, until they come home.
And, we will always welcome that!

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!