Today I Noticed... A human change

Life is fragile and our Heavenly Father is the only one who knows what our beginning, middle and end will look like.  We try to take control over our lives and shape it as we want.  The perfect childhood, an amazing high school experience, the first kiss, our first love, the fun college life, a beautiful spouse, perfect children and happily ever after.  While we are making our own changes, Heavenly Father is course correcting us for an even bigger plan than we'd want for ourselves. The people and personalities put in our path on purpose are there to help us grow and learn while experiencing all human emotions.

Duane Pearson was put in my husbands path nearly twenty years ago.  They shared a tumultuous relationship in the early days, but it was the catalyst to a healthy friendship.  In retrospect, they were both headstrong, alpha males with exactly the same passion for family, hunting, horses, farming, gardening, truck driving, guns, and camping, but somehow unable to see each other clearly.  Patience, kindness and the love of all things similar prevailed with Duane and Scott. After becoming great friends they could spend hours in person, or on the phone talking about life.  

I met Duane a short ten years ago during visits to each others homes, a few Fish Lake camping trips and through Scotts devoted and love for him. 

Duane’s talent to love and serve everyone was the catalyst for Scott to follow in his footsteps.  Duane served quick, loved with intensity and had a story to share with everyone. 

In the fall of 2018, after hunting in the Book Cliffs, Duane was diagnosed with colon cancer.  No one would have guessed Duane and Scotts last ride had already happened when the bad news arrived. Duane fought a battle he couldn't win, through chemo, medication, a feeding tube and an enormous amount of love from his friends and family.   

We visited Duane at his home, he laid in his hospital bed surrounded by his wife Barbara, his children and grandchildren. The mood was light and Duane napped through the continuous chit chat. Duane's daughter Ella took charge of her fathers care and kept the home under control mostly to keep busy, but it was a load lifted from Barbara who was slowly losing her love and husband. Scott spoke about Duane's friendship and was brought to tears as the realization of loosing a magnificant friend was undeniably near at hand.  Ella was compasionate towards Scott by offering him a box of tissues, which he openly needed and used.  At that moment, I knew there was a change in my husband.  Scott's heart was hurting deep inside for the friend he was about to lose and the mortality of human life slipping away.  

As we were prepareing to leave Duane and his family, Duane woke from his slumber and spent the next twenty minutes telling us he had a gift for his friend Scotty.  Ella was able to locate the gift and present it to Scott.  Sometime during the last few months Duane and Scott spoke on the phone and Duane knew his Scotty wanted a certain kind of gun powder and couldn't find it in the stores.  Duane, in his dying days was thinking of the needs of his friends and fulfilled those needs with little thought of himself. 

Duane’s thoughtfulness and love has left an enormous impression on Scott’s heart.  After the last visit with Duane, Scott has visibly been a different person, friend, husband, father and human being. On our drive home from Elmo to Erda, we talked about our bucket list for the rest of our lives and some of our hopes and dreams. A much needed conversation and finally, a break through for our relationship, love and eternity. 

Through this experience, Scott made a change and is now visibly tender, kinder in word and deed, soft in voice and emotion. My heart has changed and is undeniably full.  Our relationship is destined for greatness and will be better through our Heavenly Father and “His” vision for us. 

The Gift I Received

Long after receiving a high school graduation gift in 1981, I still have the feeling of thankfulness, love and gratitude. Receiving only a few gifts for my High School Graduation, I always remembered the one card and the gift of perfume.  The giver was not a family member, but she still took the time to think about me.  My heart felt warm and loved many more times during the random greetings with the same lady from 1981.  Her thoughtfulness has stretched long after her life.

Today, 39 years later I was able to pay it forward and share the same gift experience with two graduating seniors of the class of 2020.

I choose McKenzie Loveridge because of her last name.  She lives in North, North, North Salt Lake City at the top of a hill in a large, large home.  McKenzie and her mom met me at the door with excitement and gratitude standing behind elaborate winding staircases.  While speaking to the family, I let them know why I choose McKenzie, as she shares the last name of my favorite boss EVER, Gene Loveridge.  Just then, McKenzie's Dad enters the room and let us know Gene's Dad and his Dad were cousins.  I was also able to share that Gene helped in my conversion and baptized me.  I shared the experience with my own graduation gift.

When I left the Loveridges, I felt as if connections in my world  had come full circle.

Rilee Wendorf lives in West Bountiful in a half of a house. She lives with her sister and her sister's brother.  Her Mom and Dad are no longer with us and she has no parents to depend on.  She has many dreams and abilities to take her to abroad to speak Chineese, Mandrin, Japanese and become an English Teacher.  The gift basket filled with things Rilee enjoys was well received and visibly appreciated as I viewed her over video recording.

The High School Graduates of 2020 have missed out on the last quarter of school, their prom, senior dances, bon fires, yearbook signing, class parties, skipping school, school plays, spring baseball, basketball and so many other activities.  While there is no comparison to the class of 1969 or the class of 1942, it is a great disappointment for them to feel, manage and overcome.

It has been a great pleasure for me to adopt two High School Seniors and share in their lives, joy and current struggle. Thank you Monica Kennedy for putting together the Facebook Page, "Adopt a Utah Senior".

Letter to Dawn Santier May 13th, 2020

Dear Cousin Dawn, 
I hope this letter finds you and your family well during this difficult situation in our world.  The year 2020 should get a redo, start over, or an absolute delete button.

Cheri had been keeping us (LuAnn and I) updated on Aunt Marlene’s health decline and her passing.  I am so sorry you are going through this difficult time.  It was just five years ago Aunt Shirley passed away and it was tough.  Every time I saw a photo of Aunt Marlene, I saw my mom in her face, chin, smile, forehead and even hair. The Landgraf’s genes must have been strong. 


The angel Christmas ornament was made by my mom on her sewing machine.  One of my Christmas trees is decorated with her ornaments.  She enjoyed embroidering by machine, crocheting doilies, and making porcelain dolls.
   
How long have you lived in Wisconsin Dells?  I recall visiting there only once when I was very young during a family vacation. 

 Scott and I live in Erda, Utah.  It is a very small rural town 30 minutes west of Salt Lake City.  When we first moved to Utah in 1977, our home was right across the highway from where we live now. My mom’s property was sold to my son in law who replaced the home with one he personally built on the original 3 ½ acres. I feel she would be pleased with family living on the property where she enjoyed over 30 years.

Erda, seems like home and we appreciate the one acre, 13 chickens, 3 horses, a duck, goat and last, but not least a black lab.  Scott is my third husband, Wow! I guess I couldn’t get it right, but the good news is, I have my very own anniversary of being married 39 years when added all together. J

I hope you enjoy your ornament and you can find peace while remembering your mom healthy and happy. 


My heart goes out to you and your family.

If I Had A Wish

If my younger self had a wish, an extravagent dream or desire, it could not have reached far enough to know the pure joy, love, satisfaction, extreme humbleness, fulfilment and eternal gratitude I feel when I have my four children together. (A lot of adjectives and a lot of emotion!)

As a young mother, having all of my children in one place was not nearly as treasured as it was during this weekend.  January 11^th, 2020 was a day to remember and my HEART was FULL.  All of my children were gathered together to share a nice meal (tacos of course), share their adult experiences about raising children, building homes, and real adult challenges.  As siblings they reunited in love and long distant cousins meet for the first time and played together and life was perfect. 

My children have all grown to be delightful adults, loving spouses, kind friends and my pride and joy.  And in my heart I know I can be with my family forever.  I know with Gods help once again my dreams and hopes for myself will be outdone by the will and help from the Lord.  How else could there be a resolution to finding an eternal family with 3 husbands, 4 children, 5 step-children, 5 grandchildren, and 8 step-grandchildren and two more precious babies on the way. And then there is one amazing friend I call my Ex-Wife and an Ex-Wife who is my Step-Sister and I love them both dearly. My heart is full and I believe in miracles performed by the Savior with the help of my Heavenly Father. 

Raising my children has been an adventure and I know my Heavenly Father has been with me through every step, choice and decision.  My heart and mind has always been set on caring for my children and providing the best life I possibly could for them. 

I love and appreciate the loving individuals they have become.

Come Follow Me "Record Your Impressions"

If we do not record the impressions we receive from the Spirit, we might forget them.

I certainly do not want to forget the experience I had while watching a Missionary attempt to get on a bus.

It was a normal day and I was traveling to work when my gas light came on, which is nothing new. I instantly turned onto the next street toward the service station.  While pumping my gas I noticed a young man dressed in a white shirt and tie. I recognized him from my ward and recalled he was serving a mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. He was waiting at the bus stop for transportation to Temple Square where he could report for duty to serve and perform his missionary duties. 

The bus approached, stopped and he was ready for the doors to open and the ramp to come down to allow his wheel chair to travel onto the bus. I watched and waited for him to safely board the bus. The door opened, but the ramp didn't come down. He waited patiently and did his best to talk the bus driver through what he needed to get on the bus. The driver got off the bus and talked to him and then got back on the bus. As minutes passed and it was apparent the bus driver didn't know how to operate the ramp and he was going to be left behind. My heart dropped, I was frustrated and embarrassed for him as he was waiting on the outside of the bus and the riders were watching him from the inside. He was helpless and at the mercy of the bus driver. He finally waved the bus driver on and wheeled himself away from the bus stop.  I was furious, and wondered why, would a bus driver be qualified to drive a bus load of people and not know how to put down the ramp????

I finished pumping my gas, drove toward the bus stop and got out of my car.  I approached him and introduced myself and asked if I could give him a ride to Temple Square or if there was anything I could do to help. He declined said he'd call his Dad to give him a ride.  

I asked what the problem was and why the bus driver couldn't get the ramp to go down to let him on the bus. I expected him to be as angry and frustrated as I was.  He simply said with a calm and unshaken voice, "She's new and she's learning".

In Thessalonians 3:12 we read,
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Like Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians, this experience reminds me how the sweet missionary demonstrated with his actions and words. He not only has been taught and learned of the word of God, but he was REALLY incorporating His word into his life.

I with all my heart, that those around me, including my Heavenly Father loves me enough to be patient and say, “She’s learning.”

Quilting Update ~ Tall Tales Quilt Block

Tall Tales Quilt Block

Pattern By: Kate Basti

Sewn by: Dee Ann Parry

#talltalesblock

#talltalesquilt

This block combines two of my loves, the love of reading and my love of sewing.  The block depicts an "Open Book" and is pieced together by following the foundation paper piecing method. 

Foundation paper piecing is a very accurate way to piece together quilt blocks.  All of the sewing is stitched on predetermined lines on foundation paper. 

The design can be hand traced or copied on foundation paper, newspaper or thin typing paper.  The foundation paper holds the pattern pieces together and can be easily ripped away after the entire block is sewn together.

The stitch length is reduced to approximately 1.5 stitches per inch to easily perforate the paper and allow it to be removed from the design when it is complete .After the block is put together, add the side borders from 2 1/2 inch strips and finally add top and bottom borders using 2 1/2 inch strips.  

The final result is an 8 1/2 x 11 block.  How fitting.. the finished size is the same as a piece of notebook paper.  

The pattern can be purchased on Etsy from Kate Basti.  

Other supplies used: 

Iron or seam roller

Quarter inch ruler

Postcard

Glue stick 

Rotary cutter

Letter from Aunt Joyce ~ May 22, 2019

Dear  DeeAnn,

We are now home after our trip to Milwaukee to attend Alyssa’s graduation from Marquette University Law School this past weekend. Had good weather and road conditions for the drives to and from and it rained only at night and while we were indoors in the daytime. The hooding ceremony was held Saturday afternoon at the Miller High Life Theater a few blocks north of the shopping area in the original downtown part of the city. The theater is very large and ornately decorated. The actual graduation ceremony for the entire university was held in the Fiserv Forum (where the Milwaukee Bucks play their home games) at 9:30 AM on Sunday. Alyssa was one of the Law School’s cum laude graduates. Starting at 5 PM on Sunday, Penny & Brian hosted a party for family members at Mo’s Irish Pub at Bluemound Road and Mayfair Road. The place is definitely styled after Irish pubs and we had a separate room to ourselves. Alyssa and Penny cooked up a game for everyone to play—33 questions to see who knew the most facts about the honoree. Paper and pens were provided and cheating was discouraged. Alyssa stood at the head of the room and explained that there were going to be different types of questions asked: some True or False, some fill in the blank, some multiple choice, some would have more that one possible answer, etc. Certain guests (Leslie, Ryan, Danielle and others) took it upon themselves to bedevil the newly-minted lawyer since she seemed to be acting as though she was a judge addressing a courtroom of unruly and mouthy characters. They began to call out comments such as “objection”, “overruled” or “sustained”, “clarification”, “out of order”, etc. I must say she kept her composure very well and just waited out the rowdy behavior! Has this family been watching too many reruns of “Law & Order”? Anyway, everyone enjoyed the gathering. We drove home on Monday and must now deal with a badly overgrown lawn and a large pile of laundry. That’s all for now. Email when you can.

Love,  Joyce

Aunt Joyce, 

What a great reason to celebrate.  A Lawyer in the family, a great asset to have in ones back pocket.  Congratulations to Alyssa and Mom and Dad. 

We are enduring the year without a spring... only rain.  My yard is looking lovely if you are a swather in need of your next mowing gig.  My Dad left me his riding lawn mower, however it needs to be somewhat dry to be effective as to not spit out clumps of grass I would need to rake up later.  The garden is planted, thoroughly rained, snowed and hailed on, no need to turn on the sprinklers.

Melissa, Sunne and the boys (Drey, Kye and Kash) have been staying with Scott and I since early April.  There is hope their new home will be ready for the walk through and closing this Friday.  They will be living in Lake Point (4 minutes from my house), shaving off 40 minutes of commute time for Sunne and giving Drey the location to keep his horse, sheep and whatever else he might drag home.  

We have plans for camping this Memorial Day weekend, I am taking my rain gear in anticipation of using it when not in doors.  

We've finalized my Dad's headstone and have it on order.  The mountains are from a Fish Lake photo, included are his camper, Chevy truck, and trailer to haul his Harley with the American Flag trailing behind.  His horse is standing near and he's waving good- bye with his gun on his hip.

I hope at some point to make a trip with my sister to visit you and Uncle Lou.

Have a great week.

Love, 

Dee Ann