17 June 2018

 Happy Father's Day to all you dads! What would we do without you? We're grateful for each of your examples, leadership, and service. I hope you're each having a great day.

   Last Sunday, Gran, Naomi, and I were heading back from Moscow, and Stephen's graduation and party. We had a wonderful trip and want to thank the Hessing's, Mobley's, and Weaver's for their hospitality. Gran and I stayed at Hessing's Thursday night on the way, Friday and Saturday nights at Mobley's, and then Sunday night at Weavers. Monday we stopped in Twin Falls and had lunch with John and Annie, then took Jennifer's dog from their house, home to Rexburg. Poor pup wasn't happy about the trip, but Naomi was very patient and good with him. 

   During our drive time, we listened to a book by David McCullough, The Great Bridge, (read by Edward Herrmann) about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Now I want to go back to NYC and spend some time there. When we were there, we saw it from a distance, but didn't even go across it.  What an amazing project. It took from 1869-1883, was doubted by some if the design would last, but has only ever needed a few cable replacements and some paint. 

   We're sure enjoying having Naomi here with us. She spent one night with Hannah at Beth's and Kerry's. Last night we had a Humphries family get together in our yard. Grandma, Reneta, Hyrum's wife and baby (Desiree and Cheyenne), Venae and Brett, Megan and her kids, Cydnee, Nick and Dawson, Spencer (his family is out of town), Gerald, Gina and their grandson, Merrick (Laci's second son), Stevie and her girls, Alexis, Cameron and their boys, Beth, Hannah, and us. Dad cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for us all on his new grill (Father's Day!), everyone brought potluck, and we had lots of food. The weather was really nice too. Then after all but Alex's girls (and families) had left, we sat inside and talked for a couple of hours. Stevie and Alexis seemed to need to talk about and hear about their dad. It was a wonderful visit. Alex's grandkids enjoyed our toy boxes and books. :)

   In Sacrament meeting today, High Councilman, Frank Tavarez spoke. He teaches kindergarten in St. Anthony and coaches at the Junior High; it's hard to imagine a guy his size teaching kindergarten, but I'll bet he's wonderful at it. He used to be the Branch President in the Spanish Branch. He had grown up going back and forth between family in New York and the Dominican Republic. Twice during his youth his family forgot where he was, at 10 and again at fifteen, leaving him alone for several months both times. He doesn't seem to have any hard feelings about it though and has made a great life for himself and his family. His wife, Irene, is the RS president in the Branch now.  Their oldest son, Cesar, had one of the leads in the South Fremont musical last year and excels in wrestling, even went to State. What a different life he has made for his kids. 

   Last night we got the news that my cousin Cynthia's son, Thomas, one of her twins, died of an overdose the day before. He and Douglas were born December 2nd, just four months after Ben. We have some pictures of the two of them with Aimee, Ben, and Sam, when we visited them in Tennessee in about 1984. I don't know yet, or if they know if it was an intentional or an accidental overdose. He was working as a chef in Florida and had never married, and had evidently been in and out of rehab for years. I haven't contacted Cynthia yet, but Gran and I will be sending flowers and a note tomorrow. Below I've attached a picture of Cynthia and her son, Thomas and one of her whole family; Thomas is in the middle, in the plaid shirt. Cynthia, Rich, Douglas and his wife, Turner and his girlfriend, Margot and her boyfriend in the shot too.

   Yesterday was sunny and nice; now today we're having thunder showers and flash flood warnings in the area. No flooding in Egin though, of course. I'm sure there are other things I could tell you about, but this is long enough! Love to each of you, especially to my sweetheart. Happy Father's Day!

   Mom/Johanna/Nana

I found these two pictures from summer 1984.