Father's Day, and the men in my life

Yesterday was Father’s Day, and I thought a lot about the men in my life.
Two important men are now gone. That would be my grandfather, Roland Fish, and my father, George Smith. From Grandpa, I learned the importance of always doing the best work you can do. He was a great carpenter. Everything had to be perfect, beautiful and exact. One Thanksgiving day when I was a child, about five years old, Grandpa came into the house with a large slab of wood to put over the table to make it bigger. He bumped into the wall and made a little nick. He was so upset about it and Grandma said to him, “Now, Roland...you will fix that little spot, and no one will ever know it was there”. I will always remember his reply, “ I WILL KNOW it is there”. I took that to heart, and gave it a lot of thought over the last 60 years or so. It’s been a great lesson to me. I know all the little nicks in my life. I try hard not to have elements in my life, that I feel a need to cover up.
My father was not a learned man, he was not ever well to do, or fancy in his appearance, or an impressive leader. Just a simple, hard working man. He was a very good Grandpa. What ever ideas my mother had for grand-parenting, be it vacations with the kids along, or the purchase of motor cycles to play on in the hills of St George, or helping with school clothes, he went along with it all. He would sit for hours at the city pool in the heat, keeping an eye on the kids while they played. He liked to play games with them and take them places. I know he was proud of them and the look on his face when they performed or came to their home, showed that he loved them all. I love an old home movie of him playing with Randy when he was 2 or 3 years old. They were having a pillow fight. I do not know how many games of checkers he played with my kids, or how many trips he made to the store to get treats for them. I miss him. I wish I had taken the time to have a better relationship with him. He never volunteered much information about his younger life, and now I wish I could have him here for a day, and I would have a lot of questions for him. I wish I had tried harder to be attentive to him and his needs. I learned some great lessons after it was too late. That of never judging anyone, freely forgiving, and never holding grudges. So, dear readers, learn from me. Just do it while people are alive. Never withhold love or forgiveness to anyone and never , ever pass judgement. The Lord takes care of all of that for us. My mother learned all of this, and lovingly taught it to me in the later years of her life and I thank her for that. It meant a lot coming from her because I knew of her hurts and sufferings in life. I miss her and her "life" lessons.

A special tribute to my father in law, Fritz Hubrich. (above photo) He has been in my life for 43 years, He is a great example of endurance, and resourcefulness. He has kept a stunningly beautiful landscape around his home continually. He has served the Lord and been faithful in every assignment he’s been given. We enjoyed the fish that he caught for many years., especially the smoked fish. He taught our sons to fish. Some special memories for them are the many Priesthood General Conferences they attended with him, and enjoyed the culinary skills of Oma afterwards in their home. He is 97 years old, and I do not want to imagine the world or our family without him.
NOW.... THE OTHER MEN IN MY LIFE TODAY. The ones pictured here, my husband Ralph, and my four sons. From the left, they are Danny, Brian, Jeff, and Randy. I appreciate all that they do for me. I certainly know why the Lord sent me four sons. They re all so talented .... and in different areas, so I believe we have everything covered. They are All so creative and resourceful, strong, and just plain hilariously funny. I love them all very much.

Here I am with my daughters in law. Another gynormous blessing in my life. Our family would not be complete without them. They are all so very talented, compassionate, creative, and loving. They are my friends! They are the greatest mother’s to my precious grandchildren, and wives to my sons. They are good cooks, and keep lovely homes. They are all amazing, beautiful, strong women. I thank the Lord for them every day.
Some of our family were missing yesterday.......both of my daughters, Heidi, and Becky, and their husbands, Ken and Ryan. Here again.....I feel I have been blessed with the best daughters and sons in law on the planet! They are all amazing people, who are wonderful parents to more grandchildren. They give me reasons to be proud, (in a good way), and give me so much love and support in everything I do.
A special thank you to my family......I love all of you SOO much!

Lessons from Grandchildren

Sometimes it is the simplest things that bring the most joy. Life gets so hectic and stressful. Lately, I have treasured up moments that refresh, and bring joy to me in simple ways.
Our little three year old grandson, Cameron, likes to call, just to say "I Love You" or to report a little thing that he enjoyed during the day. Ralph and I both are thrilled when he calls us. His older sister, Livvy, recently drew me a picture of a monkey in the rain forest. I loved her explanation about how the mother monkey holds her infant in her legs while she swings from the trees. I had never heard of that, but she had learned it in a video at school.

Last week, My mother in law called to say that they have beautiful poppies flowering in their back yard. She suggested that I try to get some photos, so Becky and I took 18 month old Rory, for pictures in the poppies. She was a little tired and not too cooperative, so I took her favorite horsie with us and she sat on him long enough for a few pictures. We managed to get a few smiles out of her when Becky balanced a big Tweety Bird stuffed animal on her head and let him fall off, accompanied with funny gestures and sounds! Silly mommy! Now, I love looking at the bright cheerful photos. I laugh at this one where Rory learned that Poppies do not smell like the roses at her house!

Monday, Jeff and Heather attended a funeral for a friend, and the children came here to play while they were gone. I had to laugh as they filled play dishes with dog food, and offered it to the dogs, who were more than happy to gobble it up.

Lance received some comfort from Oscar, when he did not get to go shopping with Grandpa and Cessna. Oscar was perfectly happy to let Lancie’s tears fall on his back as they gazed out the window together. Such a simple little thing, but it reminded me of days long gone when I was a child, and dressed up our puppies to take for walks in my doll buggy. They were my best friends and confidants. I could tell them all of my troubles and secrets, and it was all safe with them.

Lance enjoyed the horsie swing out in our big tree. Who could not be cheered watching his angelic little face, as he played outside?

Later, Rory came over for just a little while when her mom went to the store. She wants to be outside all the time recently. She found such enjoyment just sitting on top of the bark in the flower bed, picking it up, smelling each piece, then piling it up on a big rock. That reminded me of times when I was about 5 years old, smashing granite rocks with a hammer, and never tiring of seeing how they sparkled and glittered in the sunshine. Children are amused and entertained by such small and simple things. We older people need to slow down and get down on their level more often and see the world through their eyes.

Danielle and Braden were here Tuesday. I really enjoy their companionship. Braden talked a lot about basketball and football. I love how I have to look up at him now. He was showing me his new shoes size 9½ !! I get a kick out of his deep voice. Danielle was laughing and joking around with a friend from school, who happens to live in my ward. She invited him over to make cookies with her. I sent her to the store in my car, and she returned with the cookie ingredients AND Jace! Having them here yesterday, almost felt like going back in time to when my own teens were here at home and passing time with their friends.
Being a grandma is a really good thing. I’m planing a little trip to Idaho soon, and I will need Kylie to help me out with my crocheting! I will for sure increase my knowledge about rocks, birds, and flowers from Kylie, Ashley, and Lizzie. Who knows what else? I am so grateful for every one of my grandchildren and the love and enjoyment that they afford me.