30 September 2018

 Dear everybody,

   Thank you, Ben, for the email and all the wonderful pictures! You and your family have had some great adventures recently and I'm so glad you have picture to go along with them! 

   Well, what a difference a week makes, huh? Last week when I sent out this email, I had no idea what was about to happen, or that I would get to see some of you before the week was up.

   On Monday afternoon at work, I got a call from Aunt Lynne, letting me know that young Chandler had died. He had been living with her, so that's where the police came to notify next of kin. After contacting Jennifer, Chandler, and her own kids, she called me. So I called Uncle John first, then Gran and all of you. I left work early, came home and got Gran and we went to Aunt Lynne's house. It was sweet to see big Chandler's father-in-law, sitting on the couch talking with Sterling. The first of many former in-law connections this week that could have been awkward, but were instead bridged with love. Chandler's wife, Michelle, is very lovely and has been good for him and all the kids. I was going to drop Gran off and go get food, but Maria had already beat me to it. 

They said that Chandler's death date was September 24; that's when they found him, anyway. I appreciate so much that you all wanted to come, but fully understand why you couldn't. It just wouldn't have made since. But those who came had a sad and sweet experience together. 

  Friday afternoon, I got off work early so I could take Gran to the family viewing, at Flamm's, in Rexburg. With two sets of parents, there were a lot of family members who came. Then Friday evening, the Weaver's and Hessing's arrived in Rexburg at their motel's and I was invited to come join them at the pool. We had so much fun! Before long a lot of big Chandler's family, who were staying there too, started to come to the pool, including Jennifer and her 4 remaining kids. Jennifer has been best friends with Chandler's niece (also Jennifer) since they were kids . . . long before she married Chandler. So they have stayed close, and you could tell that Chandler's brothers still love Jennifer. We all went back and forth between the hot pool and the cool pool. Kevin was the official kid launcher (into the deep end), they lined up over and over to have him throw them in. Calvin saved the day by pulling Stella out of the hot pool when she went in farther than we realized. 

   When I got home that night, we had Hyrum Haeberle and his girlfriend, Brittany. As left leaning, angry, and openly communistic as they come across on social media, they are sweet and dear in person. These are things I don't understand fully, but it helps me make more careful choices on social media and also helps me see others as Heavenly Father sees them. We had a delightful visit with them, Uncle Jim, and with Autumn and her girls.

   Then on Saturday, we all met at the East Stake Center in Rexburg for the viewing and funeral. Grandma, Reneta, Beth, Hannah, Jared and Tanya, all came to the funeral and it was so nice to see them. Reneta and Jennifer are connected in two ways: through Dad and me, and also the fact that Uncle Kaye and Sterling's mother, Valerie, are cousins. 

   The viewing was especially hard for Miles (Brown), who sobbed and sobbed. His mom and dad took him out in the hallway for a bit, to calm him. Then Sterling made sure they were back in the room before giving the family prayer. It was one of many sweet times. 

   The funeral was so amazing. Each talk was wonderful and the music just right. Thank you for sitting with me, Shelby, I'll always remember that. Uncle John did an amazing job with the life sketch. He was so good about including all sides of this multi-faceted family. He had us all laughing as he told stories of the adventures of Chandler and his brothers and friends. The other talks were just as perfect. Jennifer's siblings singing, I Am A Child Of God, and I Love To See The Temple, was so touching. Knowing that none of the four are active in the Church, made it extra sweet. Hearing them sing the words and seeing how they were touched, gave me such hope. Throughout the service I kept praying that the sweet spirit that was there could help our family to heal from some of the hurt that has happened over the years. 

   The graveside service was lovely, the weather was perfect. Seeing all the kids release the blue balloons was a sweet moment. 

   Then last night we had a crowd over: Hyrum, Brittany, Bonnie and Clay, Jake, Lisa, Joel, Rob, John, Jocie, Janie, Autumn and her girls. That Persephone is a sweet baby! She reminds me of Alida at that age. 

   I don't say that all wounds were healed, but we made great progress this weekend. To see all three of Uncle John's son's interacting with him through the evening and then hugging him good-bye, it was a wonderful sight. The same with Jake, Lisa and him. 

   Autumn and her girls spent the night here last night; they had stayed at Uncle Jim's the two nights before. Side note to Shelby: Penelope got a good rest last night and seemed to be feeling a lot better when they left this afternoon. Her antibiotics had kicked in and she had gotten a good sleep.

   I hope that maybe Dad/Grandpa will fill us in on his week. I sure miss him around here and look forward to his homecoming on Thursday night. I'd like to hear more about Albuquerque, and the meetings in Boise. Now he's in Moscow at Mobley's and was able to be there for Stephen's Melchizedek Priesthood ordination. Now on to Couer d'Alene for more meetings. 

   Lots of love to all of you, and hope you have a great week.

Mom/Johanna/Nana  

I just realized I didn't include Dave's name in the list of people who came last night. 

Also, I'll send a few pictures too, including the one of Dad and Keaton Prisbrey, which I meant to send last week.