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!