Interview of Grandma Rita

Jonas Interview Grandma Rita Tingey --

Grandma Rita was born on Aug 4, 1956 in Great Falls, Montana.

Favorite Movie: Sound Of Music

Fav. Childhood Memory: living on a farm

Fav. present: blue bike when I was 10.

Fav color: periwinkle

Fav crayon: yellow

Fav. food: lasagna

Fav. vacation as an adult: Israel

Fav. Place: Lo Lo Hot Springs

Jobs as child: gather eggs, milk cows

Fav job as adult: mom

What did you do as an adult? write& direct plays

Fav thing to do when you were little? Spend time with Grandpa by ice skating on fish ponds.

Fav thing to do as an adult? See my grandkids

Fav toy as a child? sock monkey

Fav season is the fall.  

Grandma Rita says she is coming into the Winter of her life.  She is in her favorite season.  

Parents both from Great Falls. Her dad is from Germany, he's half German. Her mom's family is from England. 

Rita has 5 siblings, 3  brothers and 2 sisters.

Rita has a younger sister who is active in the church.

Rita has a best friend as a child who would take her to primary. She had a primary teacher, Sister Cornelius, who was a return missionary who take an interest in her. 

After getting married and having Dara, she came into the church. They were displeased about the Christian church & were praying about what church to go to. They called  at the gas station & called the Bishop answered. Church was about to start in 10 min. They were close  by and made it to church. Rita felt like she was coming home. 

Rita's parents were active for 5 years and were in the nursery. 

Sunday's

Sunday's are always a bit crazy. Jas running in the am to make his appointments. I always think that I'll have more time than I usually do...sigh. This Sun was the Sun before Christmas. With gathering the boys, pumping etc, we made it on the last verse of the sacrament song--just in the nick of time! 

Every Sun I have a bottle for Jude. I want him to contine taking a bottle. Every Sun the boys fight to feed him. It's sweet/frustrating at the same time. I had to sneak a few pics so Jas could see his boys helping. 

Thad's a First Dentist Appointment

Thad was positively giddy about his first dentist appt. Both Keat & Jonas had already gone, so T was antsy &kept walking  back. It was a practice round, having him get comfortable in the chair. He passed with flying colors!

Attitude

ATTITUDE

by

Charles Swindoll

 

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company... a church... a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes”

Near death experience: Grandpa Tingey 2014

 

 

2014 Near Death Experience:  Dale Tingey

 

On October 13^th, my grandchildren wanted to go eat at a little Mexican restaurant.  I had the enchiladas and thought they didn’t taste too well.  That night I became ill.  I was very sick for a couple of days and on Thursday, I couldn’t stand up and was so weak Shannan called the ambulance.  They took me to the ER.  I ended up in the ICU at Intermountain Regional Hospital in Provo.  I was very miserable.  All I recall is that they said my blood pressure was down to 60/30.  They needed to get something in to me.  I couldn’t eat anything for 2 or 3 days.  They diagnosed me with e-coli.  I was in severe pain feeling terrible all the time.

On Saturday, the 18^th, I remember having severe pain when appeared a lighted tunnel, leading to a beautiful area.  I felt that I wanted to go there and so I started to walk.  As I walked into the light, all the pain disappeared and I was in euphoria and feeling so good.  I looked back and I could see my body lying there.  I seemed to be walking normally.  It was a beautiful experience.  I was hoping maybe Jeanette might be waiting for me.  However, I saw no one and began to feel guilty, remembering that I had my daughter, Shannan, and her three children living with me.  I had respoinsibility for taking care of them.  My guilt seemed to increase the more I walked.  Finally, I turned around and started back.  I saw my remains laying there and I walked right into my body.  At that moment, I awoke in great pain and frustration.  It was a very real lifelike experience.  I immedidiately began to get better.  In fact, on the 19^th, my daughter, Diane, who had been with me in the hospital all the time said it was like a miracle.  I felt much better and the next day they moved me into a private room where I stayed for another 5 days.  They were trying to build me back up.  I went for days without food and was pretty weak, but I was feeling very good and happy to go home on the 24^th. 

I thought I would record this for my children because Diane had called them all Saturday and evidently told htem I was near death, if they wanted to see me they needed to come immediately.  So, most of my children were able to come and visit and see me when I was recovering.  It was a joy to see their faces, but sorry it had to be under these circumstances. 

Halloween 2014

Halloween was another fun one! I braved the ward cook off/carnival alone w all 4 while J was in Ca for work...crazy😳 Keat was a mad scientist, Jonas was a black panther, thad was Spider-Man (& loved it I might add!) Jude was a pesos/tigger. Jas & I were Deb & Pedro. Lots of fun trick or treating w cousins!

The man who delivers flowers, candy, and much more.

By Sherry Young, Deseret News

Published: Wed, Aug. 20 5:30 p.m. MD

Dale Tingey is the man who delivers.

(Sherry Young)

Many years ago, LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball called in a young man who had distinguished himself early in life and asked him if he was willing to serve in a calling to assist Native Americans, and that is just what Dale Tingey has done. He became president of the Southwest Indian Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1968-1971. While serving in that capacity, he was made aware of the language, customs, disadvantages and plight of those people.

In his next position as director ofAmerican Indian Services (online atamericanindianservices.org), where he has tirelessly shown his vision, passion, hard work and belief in a forgotten people, President Kimball’s vision was carried out.

Our neighbors, Shannon and Todd Miller, Grit and I as well as many others know what an amazing man he is, but we also know him as the man who delivers flowers and candy on occasion, and cherries and peaches, all given with a great big smile by our wonderful friend.

Dale is a very wise man indeed. He learned early on if the women in their men’s lives liked him, the men were more willing to help him with his programs. He was especially nice to wives and secretaries, but then he likes everybody and everybody likes him back.

In turn, when my husband, Grit, has an abundance of vegetables he grows every year, he takes them to Dale because we know he goes out delivering them to his grateful Indian friends.

Todd remembers going to the annual Great American Indian Shootout tournaments when he was just 6 years old and then after his Mormon mission helping his dad, Johnny, with the Thanksgiving Point event in Lehi each year. The funds raised from the tournament enable the Indian Services, a private nonprofit foundation, to give scholarships and assist Native Americans in their pursuit of higher education.

Our sons Steve and Tom have traveled with Dale many times on his little plane to speak to Native American youths in various places, as Todd also did.

Tom remembers when Dale would take off in his single engine plane, Dale and Steve in the front and him in the back. I well remember it, too. The boys were single then but it made me very nervous in spite of knowing Dale, who is an experienced pilot and has had a private pilot’s license since he was 15 years old, was capable and careful.

They would fly into the Navajo Nation, Tuba City and the Havasupai Reservation near the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

The landings were usually on a dirt strip that looked deserted. After a few minutes, people young and old would come running from everywhere waving their arms and shouting. Todd remembers speaking at high schools in the Navajo Nation as well.

Dale was like a rock star. He knew all of the people by name and made them feel great. He had a big heart, encouraging them to rise above their poverty. He housed them in his own home through the years, especially when his wife, Jeanette, who died in 2001, was alive. He stressed education as the door of opportunity for them.

Dale relinquished some of the running of the organization last year when he turned 90 years old but still goes to the office every day offering his wit and wisdom to whatever is going on.

John P. Livingstone in his book, “Same Drum, Different Beat: The Story of Dale T. Tingey and American Indian Services,” said, “He has remained true to his calling and tried to get each needed job done quickly and well. His breakneck pace and lively, fun way of working with people have endeared him to all.”

Throughout his life, he has been and still is the man who delivers.

Grandpa Tingey message -- sept 2014 - eye surgery

Dear Family,

 

We were blessed in the state of Utah by having the dedication of the Ogden Temple shown in our sacrament meeting. We were supposed to have a temple recommend or a special ticket from the Bishop, which was available to everyone.

 

It was a very nice program with beautiful remarks by Elder Russell Ballard, a dear friend since the days we went to college at the University of Utah, then all of us went on a mission and have stayed together, meeting every other month for 65 years. Also, Elder Oaks gave a very nice talk. He even quoted Abraham Lincoln as one who was concerned about the dead and their need for our blessings and of course, the temple work takes care of that.

 

One of my former missionaries, who is now a General Authority, Elder Craig Fisher, was in charge of the whole program and invited me to come, but I thought I’d rather be here with the family and enjoy it. So, it was very nice.

 

I am writing to ask if you would remember me in your prayers this Friday. I’m finally going to have this delicate eye operation, which they have been studying and testing for 3 months. They now feel that there’s a leakage of blood behind the eye. One specialist will go in and take care of that, one will replace the lens on the eye, and another will supervise all of the testing and experimenting. Dr. Vitali will assist. It’s hard to believe they have to have three doctors to perform an eye operation, but it is delicate and I pray the Lord will bless me, I’ve lost total vision in my eye, that He will be able to restore at least some of it, but hopefully all of it.

 

Interestingly enough, one very special doctor, Dr. Crandall, is married to my niece, Berdine and Conway’s daughter. While he was examining one day, she came in a gave me a big hug. I couldn’t quite place her, but it’s nice to know that I have a connection there. At least I feel more comfortable. She said she would give him the best counsel she could.

We hope that things are well with you and that the Lord is blessing you in your life and families. It’s the only real hope we have, is in the Church and the Kingdom and our trust and faith in Jesus Christ and His promises and blessings. I wish them all upon you and your family. Keep the faith! The Church is true and the Lord can solve all our problems, but He’ll let us do it the way we want. I love you and enjoy hearing from you. Send me a picture of your family.

Love ya,

 

Grandpa

Scripture challenge from Grandpa Tingey -- Sept 2014

I am just driving back on Saturday morning from the Post-Op Review. Happy to announce that for the first time in four months I am able to see out of my right eye. It is just a little blurry, but the doctor assures me it is going to clear up and things will be much better. It is a lot better just being able to see the countryside, but not the details right now.

 

It’s been kind of hard for me to read because, even though my left eye is good, the bad eye casts a shadow over the good eye so it was a challenge to read. I have decided that I am going to reread the scriptures again.

 

I would like to invite you to accept the challenge with me and use spare time to enjoy the scriptures. I reread again the powerful talk that President Ezra Taft Benson gave about reading the Book of Mormon often and the promises that goes with that.

 

The Church has just come out with a little packet of scriptures, all sealed together. It’s similar to the Book of Mormon and the New Testament the Church used to provide when we were in the military. I remember well carrying a little Book of Mormon with me. It was beautiful. When we had a spare moment, we could read the scriptures when of course you couldn’t carry a big Book of Mormon or a Bible around. I am sending you these sealed packs of scriptures so that you can put one in your purse, one on the kitchen table, one in your car, one on your desk, and one by your bedside so you will always have access to scriptures when you have a few minutes to relax and enjoy it.

 

I remember teaching at BYU, some of the overenthusiastic professors were always anxious for the day when they would read the sealed part of the Book of Mormon. Most of us didn’t read the part that wasn’t sealed very often. I am challenging you to unseal these books and start reading a little each day from one or the other. There’s a magic in reading the scriptures. You don’t have to start at the beginning and read through it. I find it interesting just to open it and kind of thumb through a couple of chapters and see if there is something of interest I would like to read and then read that which inspires me. There are so many golden treasures in the scriptures. I wish I had served in a mission where they memorized scriptures. Our main thrust was trying to learn the Czechoslovakian language instead of memorizing scriptures. I still try and memorize a scripture every month just to feel the power it has over you.

 

I was just thinking of one or two scriptures just to say it to myself, brings me a thrill and excitement. For instance, in Ether 12:4 he says, “Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, which faith gives an anchor to the souls of men and make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to praise God.” That’s pretty much the correct scripture, but just think of the power in that, or in 2 Nephi 9:41, which is probably my favorite doctrinarian chapter in the Book of Mormon. It is a beautiful statement. He says, “O, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. And remember, his paths are righteousness, and the way for man is narrow, and it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keep of the gate is the Holy One of Israel, and he employeth no servant there. And no one cometh in except through the gate for he cannot be deceived, for He is the Lord God of Israel.” That always inspires me to try and do a little better. 

If you would like to be humble, in that same 2 Nephi9:28, Jacob teaches, “Oh the vainness and the frailties and the foolishness of men. For when they are learned, they think they are wise and they hearken not unto the counsel of the Lord, supposing they know for themselves that their wisdom is foolishness and it profit them nothing, and they shall perish, but to be learned is good if the person hearkens unto the counsel of the Lord.” Who could read John 3:16 and not be inspired. “God so loved the world that he sent his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” What a wonderful gift, blessing and promise. The Lord himself says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Someone has added to that, “Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; and without his life there is no living eternally.”

 

Unfortunately, most of the scriptures are sealed because we don’t open them and read them. They say why a lot of people joined the Church when they first read the Book of Mormon, was because they were familiar with the Bible, the spirit, the feeling and the witness came from reading the Bible, they felt that same spirit and blessing when they read the Book of Mormon. People don’t read the Bible anymore, or the Book of Mormon either, so how can we ever know the Lord when we don’t take time to read His word, which He has made possible for everyone to read now. Do you ever get solicitations from different organizations to provide Bibles for the Jews or Bibles to go to China or Africa? Try supporting one of these projects and you’ll feel a good spirit and realize how precious the word is for people who would like to read it, but don’t have access.

 

I would like to provide a set of these little books for any of your children who would commit to read all of them except the Old Testament. That is a hard one. I don’t read it much myself, only for references, but it has  wonderful lessons and stories. I still read my old seminary and institute books I used to teach from because you can get right to the story or the message without all the background. I do try and read something spiritual each day, but I’m going to make the effort to read these scriptures again and receive the blessings and promises that President Ezra Taft Benson gave the Church when he was trying to get the members to flood the world with the Book of Mormon.

 

I love you!

 

Grandpa

Greetings from Gpa Tingey Oct 2014

---

From: dale@americanindianservices.org
To: jenntwright@gmail.com; jasonpwright@hotmail.com
Subject: Greetings
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:40:06 -0600

Dear Jenni & Jason,

 

Just a note of sincere thanks for the invitation to join you at the blessing of your baby. It was a delightful experience and you gave the baby a beautiful blessing, Jason, I wish it could have been recorded, but I know they were trying to take some notes. I enjoyed both of your testimonies.

 

Thanks also for the lovely lunch and a chance to visit with your mom and the others. It was fun and Shannan and the girls enjoyed it also.

 

You are to be commended. Jude is a beautiful addition to the three handsome boys you have now. I hope you can chance that picture you have hanging on the wall, but that is a classic.

 

It was sure nice to visit with your mom. I love and appreciate her for the wonderful job she did in raising you kids and teaching you correct principles to love the Lord and serve Him.

 

I wish you every good blessing now with another gift that the Lord has sent you. How lucky this child to live in your home.

 

We love you and admire you and look forward to seeing you again one of these days when I am going through your area.

Thanks for your faith and prayers regarding my eye operation. I am so grateful to be able to see again.

 

Love ya,

Grandpa

 

Dale T. Tingey, Ph.D

Associate Director

American Indian Services

1902 N. Canyon Road, Ste. 100

Provo, UT 84604

(801) 375-1777

 

Message from Grandpa Tingey

November 9, 2014

 

Dear Family,

 

It’s Sunday here in Zion and I’ve just been sitting here watching a beautiful sunset and hoping that you are having the same kind of weather. I am happy that Halloween is behind us. I wasn’t feeling too well, but I endured, sat up and fed the trick or treaters as long as I could. They brighten my spirit also, but I am glad it’s over.

 

I am looking forward to one of my favorite holidays and that is Thanksgiving. I sure have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for your faith and prayers and am blessed to survive the ordeal in the hospital. I never knew it was so tough in that ICU, but I’ve been home for over a week and feeling better. I even go to work for a few hours a day, so I am grateful for my health and also for my eye operation that was successful.

 

Just on Friday I was up to the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake to have the stitches removed. The doctor said it is looking good. I can see out of it pretty well and he says it will get better. I have to be back up there Monday morning at quarter to 8 to meet with the other doctor that does retina work. It is amazing what they can do.

 

Thanksgiving is a day that I will be thankful for all the blessings that I’ve enjoyed, especially the speedy recovery I’ve had and for the kindness of all of you. I was reading in the paper a few interesting things about Thanksgiving and will try and use some of it here with Shannan’s family. I would like to suggest them for you if you are interested.

 

·         Encourage the children each day at perhaps dinner time to say something that they are thankful for that day. It would even be fun to record them.

 

President Monson, in one of his talks, told about a minister who, each dinner hour, asked each child something they have done to help another or make a person happier. The great effect it had upon the children to be more conscious of other people. To ask each family member about a daily act of service they could do to help someone to make them happy would be a nice dinner conversation.

 

The word Thanks-Giving could be used to think about giving something to others to celebrate Thanksgiving. The children used to accuse me of being generous of giving some of their stuff to the Indian people. I am a little guilty of that. There is a great joy in sharing clothing, a coat/jacket, flowers or a bag of apples to make someone happy.

 

Of course, the greatest gift we have to be thankful for is Jesus Christ. The Lord so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son. Whosoever believeth in Him will have eternal life.

 

As I grow older, I appreciate more and more this wonderful gift and for the Lord’s influence in my life and for the blessings He gives us day by day.

We will be thinking about you as we approach the Thanksgiving Season and pray that you also will be thankful for the many gifts that we enjoy.

 

Love ya,

 

Grandpa

Keaton's interview of Grandma (Carolina Wright)

           

      

Carolina Richards was born in South Carolina, that is where she got her name. Born at the Base Hospital in Columbia South Carolina December 23, 1945. She thinks it was later in the evening because her mom didn't want to go to the hospital until she had her tree decorated. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz.

 

Favorite childhood memory was riding in her pony carts with Molly, her Shetland pony. She would ride in the parades and around town with Molly. Molly was a black and white grumpy Shetland. If you turned your back on her she would bite you. If she didn't want you to ride her anymore she would just lay down and roll over. You had to be ready to jump off quickly. She was 10 years old at this time. The boys always did competitions with their horses but she didn't.

Her favorite color is blue -- the same as Keatons.

Her favorite sport was football. Just something she liked to watch football but she didn't play any sports. She was in the band.

When she was a kid she would play hide and go seek with her friends in the cemetary. You weren't supposed to play there so when the police came by they would hide.

Keat -- "Did your mom and dad ever find out that you played in the cemetary?"

Oh ya, they knew it!

Grandpa moved into the neighborhood when he was 8 years old. There was 13 in their Sunday school class. Those strong kids were responsible for helping my mom get to church. Her family didn't go to church except for her brother Guy. Guy started going regularly to church in highschool.  He had good friends that pulled him along till he decided to serve a mission.  He went to the Alaskan/Canadian mission. Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Richards were not active in the church while my mome was growing up. Grandma went occasionally. Grandma Boody (Clara Larsen -- and later Clara Zimerman) was Grandma Richards mom and Carolina's grandma. She was active and came along to help her to go to church.

 

Jonas' interview of his Grandpa Wright

This is an interview through Jonas' eyes so I'll be calling my dad/ Curtis -- Grandpa. Grandpa was born June 15, 1946 -- one year after WWII ended. Born at American Fork Hospital. The same hospital as me (Jason) Present day Heritage Center. There are ton's of pictures and family memories in the halls of that building.
J -- Where is your favorite place --
Gpa -- The very best place is home. That is where I get to see everyone.

J -- Where is the funnest place you have been --
Gpa -- I have lots, but I used to love to hike Timpanogos peak. I was able to hike that with the scouts and my boys many time. I always liked to be with the family on the boat. 
J -- What is your favorite thing to do
Gpa -- And I really liked to fly. I like to go golfing.
J -- How high can you hit it --
Gpa -- "sometimes to the hole"
J - Oh -- how far is that?
Gpa -- Depends on how far it needs to go.
J -- What was your favorite thing to do as a kid.
Gpa -- Play baseball. When we were young we would play red rover.
J -- What was your favorite song
Gpa -- How great thou art.
J -- Oh... is that a church song?
Gpa -- Yep. I want that played at my funeral.
J -- what is your favorite movie.
Gpa -- You get to be my age, you have a hundred favorite movies.. this time of year I really like Miracle on 34th st.
Thad -- what is your favorite color?
Gpa - Blue
Jonas -- what is your favorite treat
Gpa -- Unquestionably, licorice. Your great grandma used to make me date cookies and I like those too.

Our Family -- Jonas interviewing his Grandpa Scott

When were you born? ...   March 26, 1952 in Cedar City Utah
Where did you go to Elementary? .....Juaquin Elementary
Who was your favorite teacher?.... I don't remember any of my teachers.
What is your first memory? ............ I was walking in California and there was a dog barking at me. Favorite Vacation?..... The Chek Republic.
What is your favorite Color?.... Turquise
Where did you serve your mission?.... Sweden.
What is it like?..... Beautiful, lots of trees. It's up by the North Pole.
How cold does it get? Neg 30.
Do you sometimes see Santa?..... There is no Santa Clause there. Just a Christmas Elf that brings in the gift.
What do you like to play? I like to ski..
What is your favorite drink?..... Ice cream Malt.... Uh, thats like a rootbeer float?... No it is like a shake.
What is your favorite thing to do? Mmm. First thing is skiing and second is flyfishing. Where is your favorite place to fish?..... Cour De Lane River.
What was your first Job?... Mowing the neighbors lawn.

 

Jude 2 months

Where does the time me go? This little guy is now 2 months old! He is starting to get into a pattern-nursing when boys go down at 8:30/9 then usually sleeping his longest spell. He'll then wake up around 2 am, then again at 5/5:30. He then officially up for the day between 7/7:30. Then he's on the 3/4hr rotation of eat, wake, sleep. 

We love Jude & can't imagine what life would be with out him. He now "talks" to us, laughs, is ticklish & tries to get our attention. He's a generally happy baby minus the bewitching hours in the evening.

Polar Express

The Poksr a Express wasn't so polar this year...it was 55degrees😉 We went in the Hebert Creeper w Jas, Kristina & Hazel. T could hardly contain his excitement! It was fun to watch the boys & Hazel. 

Nana watched baby Jude & had some good cuddle time--she was so sweet saying just holding a baby was the best therapy.

There was no snow--not very polar. The boys did see deer and a beaver. There was cocoa & cookies & singing & dancing. They also got a visit from Santa. 

Thad's School

Thad wants to be just like his brothers. This works in my favor when I introduced school. He loves it! He'll do his work jobs just to do school 😉

We love Leapfrog Letter a factory DVD & flash cards. Such a fun way for all of my boys to learn their letters & sounds! We'll do anything from painting to play dough to making letters w potato shavings or & yarn. I love when Thad lights up after writing s letter--he's mastered the letter X so far in the writing! He so knows almost all of his letter sounds, the main shapes & colors. What a smartie!

All I want for Christmas

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth. K finally lost his 2nd top tooth. Look how handsome! His S's are even harder to pronounce 😉

Our Family -- Keatons' interview of Nana

When were you born?... Jan 31, 1957 in Alamede Hospital.
What elementarty school did you go to?... Ruth Gibson.
What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?... Camping
What was your favorite memory?.... Swimming with my sisters.
What were your pets names?  Siamese cats named Meiling, Suling, Mieteie. 
What was your favorite game?.... Dibble Dable
What was your favorite sport?  Swimming.
Favorite Animal?... Cat
Favorite color?.... Teal
Favorite books as a kid?...  Nancy Drew
Favorite place you have been to?... Guatemala
Where did you go to College?.... CSUF, BYU, SLCC, WSU (bachelors) , and UofU (Masters of Social Work).
What did you do as a kid?... I played outside a lot.
What she learned to do.... Her dad would wake her up on Thanksgiving to prepare the meal.
What was your Dad and Mom's names?  James Oliver Dendy and Evelyn Dendy. 

Our Family -- Grandpa Tingey

Few on this earth have been such a force for good as Grandpa Tingey.  He is an amazing example to us all. 

Keats Wise Words

Alma 12. Sad story of Alma & Amulek watching righteous Wien & children put to death by fire. Jason asked boys, "but they were righteous. Why would that happen?" " because sometimes we have trials." Wise little 9 year old

Our Family -- Grandpa Richards

 

Guy Adams Richards -- or in my house -- "Grandpa Richards"

Grandpa was born on 19 April 1919 in Pleasant Grove, Utah.  His parents and my great grand parents are Guy Smith Richards and Roxie Cornell Adams.  He was married to my Grandma Clarice Vervene Larsen on December 26 1942 at a courthouse in Washington DC.  It was just them and some random stranger that they asked to be a witness.  Grandpa told me that it was rough on Grandma to not have anyone around.  She cried.  Grandpa had a good friend out there who was a wealthy Jewish guy that helped  them get on their feet.  Grandpa told me that this guy owned a furniture store and he totally set them up with everything they needed.
I have great memories of staying down at Grandma and Grandpas house.  Every morning we woke up to the aroma of Folgers brewing.  Funny how smells can really engrave memories.  I would always eat toast and eggs at the morning breakfast.  They had a honey pot and the dipper looked just like a beehive on the end.  Cool looking I guess but it made for some awkward spreading.  We would go down in the morning and collect eggs from the chicken coop below the house.  That was always an exciting adventure. 
Grandma and Grandpa had a pink tree at Christmas time that had fake birds in it and it spun around.  We always went down there on Christmas morning.  The routine was for us to wake up insanely early around our place and open presents.  I'm sure we were on the road by 8 or 9 on our way to American Fork.  Grandma and Grandpa were always very generous to everyone.  I can remember getting all of my grandpa's change he saved up for one of my birthdays.  To me it was like getting a bag of gold! 
And speaking of trees, I was a young boy I can remember falling out of a tree at Grandma and Grandpa richards house.  I remember it being a pear tree in the North East corner of the back yard.  I didn't fall too far in this tree because a broken branch went through my arm and hung me in the tree.  One of the great perks about getting skewered at Grandpa Richards house was that I had immediate medical attention.  He took me down the road to his clinic and stitched me up.  I watched his hands carefully work every suture until I had at least 16 pulling together the mangled mess on my arm.  Pretty cool to have a grandpa that was so well versed as a doctor.  He delivered thousands of babies but his experience went far beyond primary care and OB work.  He was instrumental in elevating the cardiac services in Utah.  He really was a gifted physician. 
Grandpa was a strong conservative. We had long discussions about his concern for the country. His conservative beliefs could also be seen by the books behind this chair in the picture above on a loaded shelf. He crushed out a lot of books during these years from authors like, Bill Oriely, Sean Hannity and Glen Beck.  He read a lot.  Grandpa was a hard working man who put his heart into being a great doctor and a provider for his family. It bothered him greatly to see his country falling apart because of lazyness and corruption in Washington DC. He was not happy about Obama being elected President either. In addition to all of the large medical and patriotic books, his collection of gospel related books began to overtake all others in his last 10 years. Grandpa was always caring, but he could also come across gruff too because of his deep scratchy voice. The way we greeted when I was younger was with with him saying "Hello" in a deep scratchy voice followed by a handshake that we would both squeeze really hard until my hand just couldn't hold up anymore. (He had a really strong grip!) There was a time that Grandpa had some struggles again with his heart. I went down to St Marks to visit him. During that visit he asked if I would give him a blessing. One of the nurses on the floor was an elder so I asked if he would assist. Don't remember a lot about the blessing, but I do remember that he was blessed with the promise of restored health and the spirit was really strong! That experience changed our relationship. I saw a change in him. Never had I ever heard my grandpa tell me or any of my siblings that he loved us. That started to change as he began to really catch fire with the gospel. I was also able to be a witness to Grandpa and Grandma's sealing to eachother as well as my mom and uncle Guy on August 20, 2003. Another really powerful event! From that time, when we greeted it was always with a hug and Grandpa never missed an opportunity to say I love you.  He and I would meet up often for lunch during those last 10 years.  There was a random little diner down on main streed that we would frequent.  I would ask him about a lot of things including his advice.  I was crushing out college so figuring out a carrer was pretty high on my mind, so Grandpa was willing to offer his thoughts.  He offered to help me with medschool if I had the desire to.  He had a great reputation and some pull at George Washington where he was an alumni and shared with some confidence that he could help get me in there.  That said, I asked him if he thought it was a good idea to go down that path.  He was pretty clear that the med profession had changed dramatically during his time of practicing.  Reimbursment and income was less favorable, insurance was much more complex and stressful, and legal woes for physicians were crushing.  He said that if he were to make the decision to go into medicine at this time he would have a much harder choice.  I was close to making the leap and hunting down the med school route.  I frequently wrestled with teh decision but in the end, my path to chase down a route of business and sales pulled me stronger.   Glad I had those days and all those talks with Grandpa.  

On one occasion, Jenn and I were cruising down to Lake Powell and we decided to stop off and stay with Grandpa.  Keat was with us and he was right around 2 years old.  Keat was a heck of a handfull during the day but especially at night.  He refused to go to sleep and just wanted to sit in Grandpa's lap.  He must have sat there for a couple of hours with him which was really unusual for Keat to do.   Obviously it was something that Keat needed but I can remember Grandpa relishing the moment.  I think it was something he needed too.  Just take a look at the way Keat is looking at Grandpa in the picture above.  He had a tight connection with Grandpa.  He really loved him.  Keat doesn't remember much about Grandpa now, but I'm sure when he sees him again, those two will carry on just like before.

Grandpa died at age 91 in his home in American Fork on Sept 15, 2010.  He is a great man.  Gonna be great to see him again one day! 

Baby Jude

Here are some pics I got on the road this week from Jenn of Jude. Such a little stud!

Half Dome

Last Tuesday I got a crazy idea to bust out a trek up half dome in Yosemite. I had an afternoon flight so to pull it off I had to get up at the crack and run most of the way. Lots of vertical climb! Brutal run but unbelievable!  I had to catch a flight so hurrying was necessary. But in my hurry I took a wrong turn or two along the way and turned what was supposed to be a 16.5 mile excursion into so much more. The detour happened to also tack on another long vertical climb just to get back to a trail that would get me back to the car. By the end of the run the sun was hidden from the heart of the canyon and the temps were dropping. People were in coats and beanies and I was roasting, shirtless and soaked in sweat. Heck of a test!  Fortunately I made it back to the airport just in time for my flight!