Emulation

Grandma Lena's funeral yesterday was really nice. She never wanted anyone to make a fuss over her, which is ironic because she served so many people, so it felt good in a slightly subversive way.

These are some of the traits she had that I would like to emulate:

1. Patience. She didn't complain about the privations and changes during her and her husband's mission in Tonga.
   
2. Selflessness. She was always more interested in others.
   
3. Non-materialistic. She would save her money to buy things she wanted, and by the time she had the money, she wouldn't care about them anymore.

After the services we had a luncheon at the church. The lights went out again so we ate ice cream with raspberries and bratzle cookies in honor of Grandma in the dark. I'm sure she would have been happy to see all of the people she loved all together, enjoying food that she loved.

Tongan hymns

Tonight we walked across the street from Grandma's house over to the mortuary where they were having the viewing for Great Grandma Lena. The evening was warm, overcast and very peaceful. I held Saffron's hand and we could hear the bells chiming from the nearby Methodist church while we walked over.

Viewings always put me into a meditative mood. There is the sadness of loss, but also the happiness of being with family and those we love and the promise of Christ's redemption. And although Grandma Lena wasn't my grandma, but she is Melinda's grandma, and my children's great grandmother. We will all miss her and I will miss that my children won't be able to give her kisses anymore and she won't be there to tell them how beautiful they are and how much she loves them. But I'm so glad they could know her, and enjoy her for the last years of her life.

Their was a large group of Tongans seated in the back of the mortuary's chapel. They their green books and started to sing the hymns of Zion in their native tongue. It was beautiful. I was imagining how sublime those songs must have sounded on Tongatapu with the waves gently lapping the sand. Her missionary service with her husband and children in Tonga so many years ago haven't been forgotten.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

I must say I had a hard time keeping my cheeks dry every time they sang.

After the viewing we all went back to Grandma's house. I loved seeing my kids play with their cousins. There seemed to be a little trepidation when they first saw each other, but it quickly faded away and they played with an ease and joy that only cousins have.

It was a windy day and in the evening the power went out. People were snacking the kitchen and chatting in the living room in the dark with flashlights and lanterns. Lisette seemed to think the dark made it more memorable.

We stayed up late chatting and enjoying each others company. Grandma will be happy knowing that her death her gave the family a reason to come together and affirm our love for each other, for her, and most of all for Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!

Yeah! Melinda will be home in the next couple of hours! She's been visiting her sister in Minnesota for 5 days and 4 nights (not that anyone's counting.) I think she's had it in her mind for some time to take a trip to visit her sister. Amy has 4 kids (2 of which are very small) so Melinda was going to help her travel to Utah to be at Grandma's funeral.

We were worried about how Saffron would do with her Mom away for so long, but she's done very well. I think it helps a lot having her 3 older siblings look after her; they're very attentive. Melinda also talked to her on the phone once or twice a day and she seemed excited that her mom was coming back with 2 of her baby cousins.

We've done pretty well being orphaned and widowed for these few days, but it will be soooo nice to have Melinda back with us again. We've all missed her very much.

Karen was also very gracious to watch the kids during the day. Thanks Auntie Karen!

We've actually been quite busy these past few days, which probably helped the time pass more quickly. Here's a short list:

1. Thursday we had homeschool Lagoon day. Miles, Ian and I had a great time.
2. Friday we went to Connie's book group "After Hogwarts" at Barnes and Noble.
3. Saturday we gardened and weeded at home. Then in the evening we went up to see Ed, Salena, Teancum, and Rachel. Karen and Wendy fed us (though they also tricked me into helping them plant tomatoes.) Actually, I enjoy gardening so even though it's work it feels recreational.
4. Sunday we went to church in Roy for baby Hope's blessing. My parents, Grandma, and most of my siblings (we missed you, Ruthie!) were there. Everyone got to meet Jame's finance, Brooke, and we had a nice picnic in the park.
5. Sunday evening went back to Grandma and Grandpa's just in time for dinner. The kids were pretty lucky today; two sets of cousins to play with in one day!

Grandma's funeral and viewing are going to be held in the next two days and things will be very busy with all the family in town. It will be busy, but it's a good busy.

Florida

On July 4^th my grandfather died. He is from Utah, but he had been living in Sarasota, Florida for the last several years. My dad couldn’t get off work, but I was able to fly over for the funeral. What was really nice is that my sister Ruth lives nearby in Palm Harbor and so I stayed with her and her partner Darius for 3 days.

I hadn’t met Darius before so it was quite enjoyable to stay with them and to get to know him better. Darius is from Louisiana and he treats my sister like a true gentleman. He loves to fish and he’s really into all kinds of sports. My sister warned him that I didn’t follow sports at all so he was prepared for how clueless I am. Once he started telling me about all these famous athletes and my eyes kind of glassed over, but he was very understanding.

I arrived in Tampa on a Tuesday and they picked me up from the airport. On the way back from the airport they stopped to
pick up a pizza from Mellow Mushroom Pizza. Oh baby, it was good! I saw an alligator in one of the ponds by their apartment. That evening we went out Honeymoon Island State Park and I dipped my feet in the Gulf of Mexico. I saw a cool little sea star and a crab with blue pincers that scuttled by in the surf. There were lots of beautiful and unusual birds.

After the funeral on Tuesday (I'll have to do a separate entry for that) they took me out to their restaurant, Bonefish Grill. Darius waited on Ruth and I and we ate bang bang shrimp (to die for) and a really yummy salad. Ruth let me taste some of her sashimi and I ordered Chilean sea bass with all of their signature sauces on the side (how's that for alliteration?) Next came the key lime pie for desert. It was heavenly, especially the pecan pieces in the crust. So I waddled out of there with a bowling ball in my gut, but oh man, was it worth it. So if you ever near a Bonefish Grill, I highly recommend it.

Ruth and I then went on a walk by one of the canals behind their place to walk off some the food and look for gators. We didn’t see any big ones (they were probably hiding in the reeds on the bank) but we saw a little one sticking his head out. We also saw rabbits, lizards, frogs, and all sorts of birds. The sun was going doing during our walk, but wow, it didn't cool down. I don't know how you ever get used to high humidity. I took a swim in their pool after the walk, but it was too warm and you don't cool off after you get out. But I do have to admit, my skin never got dry, which is unusual for a desert dweller like myself.

Florida was really beautiful. I loved all the trees and how there were natural areas woven into the city. It must be really nice to live by the ocean (or the gulf) and see the unending stretch of water out to the horizon. Most of all it was very satisfying to reconnect with my sister who lives so far away.

And I hear she and Darius have some very exciting new for us!