Funeral For My Aunt Mary

My Aunt Mary passed away on May 25th. She is my mom's baby sister.

This photo was taken at my Grandpa and Grandma Malan's 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

I just love this picture of Mary's two children Nick and Angie standing next to my little brothers Mark and Andy.

This is another picture I found of Mary with Grandpa Malan. I think it was taken at Maddox.

I used to love to look at the huge, beautifully-framed portrait of Mary when she was young and had her hair styled on top of her head. It was so elegant and one of my favorite things in the upstairs bedroom of Grandpa and Grandma Malan's big white, two-story home on Jackson Avenue in Ogden.

It was nice to see Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Ann. Lloyd looks so much like Grandpa Malan.

Nani and I snapped a photo with Uncle Merlin (Dad's brother) and Aunt Helen.

It was a lovely funeral service for a wonderful woman. Mary was always so vibrant and busy and active and it really made me so sad watching her children and her six young grandchildren knowing how much they are going to miss her.

Lloyd and Mom were feeling a big void in their lives as well with the passing of their youngest sibling.

Glen had wished he could have stayed home from Minnesota to be here for the viewing and the funeral, and I was feeling very sad and lonely as I returned home from the viewing. My friend Diane was outside when I got home and came over to talk to me. She loves flowers and had just picked one from her garden that she was holding as we talked.

I told her all about Mary getting cancer and dying within a year and how sad we all were about how she had suffered. As I turned to go in the house, Diane reached out and gave me the flower she was holding. I can't even express how much that small gesture meant to me and how much I enjoyed looking at that beautiful flower the next few days in my time of mourning.

Glen and I thought it was so random that one day we just happened to be seated at the table right next to Mary, Angie and her family at a restaurant we went to in Centerville. It was fun seeing all of them and I was so glad I was obnoxious and asked if I could take their picture.

I think that was the last time I saw Mary. This is how I want to remember her--surrounded by her loved ones with a smile on her face.

Somebody Is Sixty

Glen had a birthday. He turned 60. Mom made sure everyone knew it when she gave him a birthday pin to wear at the family birthday party.

The way Carson and Eli are eyeing those candles, I'm sure everyone can guess who blew out Glen's birthday candles.

Glen has been a home teacher to the Todd and Kim Brimley family for many years and they brought him a birthday present.

Because they are such tiny people, it has been a little joke for them to call themselves the shrimps around Glen.

Kim Brimley shared her testimony last week in church and went on and on about what a fabulous home teacher Glen has been for their family. Through the years, his partners have been Ben and then Mac Conant, followed by his brother Myles. They have had some great experiences together and it was nice for Kim to acknowledge their efforts.

The Brimley family is very sad thinking about losing Glen as their home teacher. I couldn't help but think about how their new home teacher has big shoes to fill!

Today the high council speaker was talking about service and reminded everyone of what Sister Brimley had said the previous week about Glen and the wonderful service he gave her family as their home teacher.

I was thinking about how it's going to be a triple Glen this month for the people in our ward when the speaker next week is Glen Thomas himself.

Happy 60th to the man who is definitely 60 & sensational--just as the birthday pin touts him to be. And he has two Kims in his life who will vouch for that!!

Quotes of the Week

"Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us." 
-- Samuel Smiles 

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." 
-- Babe Ruth 

"Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express and not for impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt." 
-- Author Unknown 

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." 
-- Arthur Ashe 

Quotes of the Week

"Your life isn't behind you; your memories are behind you. Your life is ALWAYS ahead of you. Today is a new day. Seize it!" 
-- Steve Maraboli 

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." 
-- Peter Drucker 

"Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Period. No exceptions." 
-- Kiana Tom 

"I've learned through the years that it's not where you live, it's the people who surround you that make you feel at home." 
-- J.B. McGee