Quotes for the Week - Saying Goodbye

Why does it take a minute to say 

hello and forever to say goodbye?  

I have been saying goodbye to my Dad for almost 19 years. I believe that I will see him again, but being separated from the ones you love is so hard.

Dad passed away September 3, 1993 and I can honestly say that not a day goes by that I don't think about him. Dad had two happy years with his sweetheart Alice. He knew in his heart that he didn't have long to live and he made a very loving and selfless decision to move to Ogden with Alice. He wanted to make sure she was comfortable and in the home where she had lived for many years. He passed away three weeks later. I was granted a tender mercy because I was able to drive to Ogden everyday to be with him and was with him when he passed away.

I mentioned in a earlier post (http://eileenandtim.blogspot.com/2009/05/hermana-savage.html) that my comfort food of choice is a McDonald's filet-o-fish sandwich. I have one when I am sad. That all started when I made those trips to Ogden to see Dad. There was a McDonald's near the hospital and after spending the day with Dad, I would swing through the drive-up and order a filet-o-fish to eat on the way home. 
Silly maybe, but it did make me feel better.

Alice had some of Dad's things at her home in Ogden. She asked me if she could keep them until she died, namely a set of Bavarian china that Grandma Federer gave Dad. Dad told me before he died that he wanted me to have the dishes but I didn't mind letting Alice enjoy them these past years. 

Alice's daughter Judy has been so kind to me. Since Alice's passing she has been going through her things. She boxed up the china and I am so grateful to her. I went to Ogden to get the china and some other treasures.

Johann Haviland China was a branch of French porcelain manufacturer, Haviland et Cie. A son of the firm's founder, Johann settled in Bavaria, Germany to escape heavy French competition in the china industry. It also happened that Bavaria was one of the few locations in which Kaolin, or white porcelain clay, could be found. Johann Haviland China remained a family enterprise until 1924. It was then sold to various companies, finally ceasing production in the 1980s. The Blue Garland pattern was one of the company's most famous.

Blue is my favorite color and I think the "Blue Garland" pattern is so sweet. The dishes are considered to be antique and can still be purchased online. I hope to add to the set. 

I would love to visit Bavaria, we were so close when we went to Denmark to pick up Mark from his mission!

I have always wanted to go to Germany, since it's the country of my ancestral heritage.

More treasure's... Dad's Stetson cowboy hat, Lucchese boots, silver dollar belt buckle and belt.

Dad's wallet with his temple recommend inside

United States flag in honor of his military service

Notes from when he gave a lesson at church and from when he would study the scriptures

He wrote a letter to President Benson, (the prophet of our church at the time), to thank him for something he said in general conference. President Benson replied to the letter and told him he was "always grateful to know when something he said affects the life of another for good."  

I am most grateful to have Dad's journal. He started recording his thoughts on May 8, 1986 and the last entry was November 15, 1992. I read a page every night, I relish every word.

The last few days have been very emotional for me. I love going through Dad's things and holding them but I miss him.  He will be in my heart for always.

You'll be in my heart  

Yes, you'll be in my heart  

From this day on, 

Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart 

No matter what they say 

You'll be in my heart, 

Always, always  

Yes I'll be with you

Cause I'll be there for you

Always  
Always and always 

 Just look over your shoulder 

Just look over your shoulder

Just look over your shoulder 

I'll be there for you always... always

~ Phil Collins (Tarzan)

Once there was a snowman...

Grandma Day... Cash and I went for a walk on Wednesday. It was so warm, it sure didn't feel like January!

Cash loves to watch the water in the stream by our home.

Zipper taste yummy

We didn't get much snow but it was enough to make a snowman.

Cash really wanted the carrot nose!

Cash doesn't care much for hats and he sure didn't want his snowman wearing one.

I enjoyed watching him look at the snowman and play in the snow.

It's not easy to get him to come in the house, especially when it's nap time! 

Hurry back my little Duder!

Wordless Wednesday - Bubbles!

Finally...

we got some snow, the white Christmas I was dreaming of came a month late!

 Beautiful morning

Yesterday afternoon it began to snow, just a little flurry then it turned into those big, fluffy flakes that I love. I thought of Cash, I want to play in the snow with him. 

I have lots of snow pictures but this the first for 2012!

I was talking with a friend at church on Sunday, we both expressed our concern over the fact that we haven't had any snow this season. We were worried about keeping our reservoir's full and having enough water this summer. He said, Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it!

Quote for the Week - Music

Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Cash loves music! He loves the Tarzan movie soundtrack. His favorite song is:

"Two Worlds" 

Put your faith in what you most believe in
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart
Let fate decide
To guide these lives we see... 

He hums along, dances and shakes the little maraca's I gave him. He's feeling it in his heart and soul and will listen to it over and over again!

Beckie is 60!

Eileen ~ Susan ~ Beckie

My dear friend Beckie is 60 years young! I still remember the first time I met her. She has a warm smile and huge heart. She is always serving and giving. We have been on fun trips together, to women's conferences, institute classes and many lunches. I'm very grateful to be her friend.

Her hubby Howard asked if Susan and I would find a way to get her to a surprise party. I had to tell a few white lies but I think we pulled it off. 

 Beckie and Howard

Beckie's children hosted the party and it was wonderful. She loved having all her grandchildren there. Tim and I were grateful to be included in the celebration!

You don't look sixty, you're beautiful! We are all so blessed to have you in our lives.

Looking forward to many more years of fun and friendship!

Happy Birthday Beckie!! 

Wordless Wednesday - Treats!

Quotes for the Week - Climbing

 
“I have noticed that youngsters given to the climbing habit usually do something when they grow up” ~ Elbert Hubbard

"I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it."

“When you reach the top, keep climbing.” ~Proverb

Wordless Wednesday - Mark & Cash visit Grandpa at his office

Each Life That Touches Our for Good...

For three Friday's in a row I have attended memorial services for three amazing women. The first was held on December 23 for a dear neighbor and friend, Shirley Garrett.

Shirley was a devoted wife and mother. She loved to host parties and was a great cook. I visited her often, she told me many times she wanted to compile a cookbook with her favorite recipes. She had many boxes and notebooks of recipes. She couldn't imagine ever getting them organized into a book. Every time I saw her I would encourage to try. I gave her some suggestions of companies who publish cookbooks. 

She decided to do it and mentioned me in her cookbook: Eileen Williams was the one who suggested that I compile these recipes and brought me the material I needed to get started. Without her, this book never would have been. Thanks, Eileen. 

I'm so grateful I have one of those cookbooks!

 

The next was on December 30 for Billie Ausman, my sister-in-law Pam's mother.

Billie was so dear to all of us. 

We got to see her often when she came to Utah for visits. 

 My Mom, Nelle ~ Johnnie Belle ~ Billie

She was brave and strong. She faced life's challenges with a smile. Pam took care of Billie for the last year and a half. I admire Pam more than I can say. I gave her a card that really describes the feelings in my heart for her...

I’m sure you’ll miss her. 
The very one who rocked you
In the beginning
Needed you most in the end…
You were there with your tender heart
And your steadfast loyalty,
Doing the right thing
Exactly the way she would have hoped
Exactly the way she taught you to do.
What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
I’m so sorry for your loss.

   

The last was on January 6 for my "other mom", Alice. Dad struggled to find his true love but when he met Alice that was over. They fell in love and had two wonderful years together before Dad passed away in 1993. It was the happiest time of their lives. Alice would often say that she had more love with him than her whole life put together.

Alice had a severe form of osteoporosis and has been bed-ridden for two years... two years! She never complained and tried to find something good in each day.

Grandma Alice ~ Chris (I think he looks like Tucker in this picture!) ~ Grandma Johnnie Belle

Alice's memorial service was in Ogden where she lived for many years.

Tim doesn't usually take pictures when we are at a church but he discreetly took this one of me. I was thankful I got to say a few words at the service. I was most grateful to share my testimony that this life is not the end, that because of the Savior's redeeming love we can look forward to a joyful reunion with those we love someday. I want to be worthy of that blessing.

Tears come to my eyes as I think of the passing of these dear women, women who will always remain a part of our lives.
  
The words of the hymn entitled, 'Each Life That Touches Ours for Good' gives the best description of my feelings for Shirley, Billie and Alice... whose departure gives us a sweet and hallowed memory that we will hold forever in our hearts:

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.


For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

~ Karen Lynn Davidson

Quote for the Week - War Horse

“There are big days, and there are small days.” 

(You get to decide what kind of day to make it.)

War Horse, film

War Horse is a great film, take tissues and go see it. I loved the beautiful, spirited chestnut stallion Joey.

Wordless Wednesday... Cash wearing Wranglers!

Out With The Old, In With The New...

Usually we go bowling on New Year's Day but since it was on Sunday this year we went on Saturday. It's always a fun and friendly competition. Cash was napping so we looked forward to next year when he will big enough to go with us. 

Christopher had the edge this year, maybe it's his new and improved body. He won both games, first time in a long time! Game 1:160, Game 2:127, way to go dude!

Tiff and Cash joined us for dinner at one our favorite Mexican restaurants, Los Hermanos. Cash loves the beans and he has very good manners!

Cash got to stay up past his bedtime so we could play, eat some unhealthy snacks one more time and try out the noisemakers. It didn't take him long to discover how they work! 

Here's to a brand new year and the beginning of lots more happy memories!