They Grow Up So Fast

Meet Horse.   

We adopted him for Wyatt’s Cowboy Roller-skating 30th Birthday Party four years ago.  Like all good parents we provided a roof over his head, a comfortable place to sleep, and loved him unconditionally despite those challenging teenage years.  

This past December we decided to cut the apron strings and release Horse into the real world by donating him to the children's unit at OHSU.  We were confident he would live uprightly and make us proud parents.   

Well, in February when we were visiting Wyatt’s aunt and uncle, we happened to catch this video on MTV.  Which is interesting that we even saw the video because we don’t have MTV at home, so it was obviously meant to be.   In case you don’t want to watch the entire video skip to frames 2:23-3:00.   

And in case you can’t quite comprehend what you just witnessed, here is a close-up:

 

Wyatt and I just stood there open-mouthed and horrified!  Flabbergasted that Horse, our Horse, would become victim to such barbaric practices!

And that’s why you never send your kids to college.  Rest in peace Horse.  Rest in peace.

I'm Ready to Study the Pandas

Researchers In Panda Suits Release Cub Into Wild

Aunt Lois

Aunt Lois passed away three weeks ago on May 8th.  She was Uncle Dale's wife, my mom's second oldest sister, my loving aunt.  Her death did take me by surprise, I guess I didn't expect it so soon after Uncle Dale passed away.  Yet, it feels like she passed away several years ago, once the Alzheimer's took possession of her mind and body.  

It's difficult to say exactly how I felt about her death.  I suppose Uncle Dale's funeral served as a sort of farewell for the two of them.  Which dissipated most feelings of sadness I might otherwise have had once the news of her death was relayed to me.  Instead, I felt happy.  Happy that finally, after several years, the stranger that once occupied her body has now left.  I wasn't able to make it to the funeral, but both my mom and brother said that she looked like herself again, lying at peace in her coffin.  I am happy that Aunt Lois is able to reunite with Uncle Dale!

Uncle Dale and Aunt Lois, August 2006

My stop in Wyoming during my move to Oregon.

Aunt Lois took me in as one of her own grandchildren, just as Uncle Dale did.  She was a wonderful woman.  I know that she had a reputation of having a sharp tongue as well as having had a good streak of getting on people's bad sides... as people likewise often got on her bad side.  For some reason, I was fortunate enough to always stay on her good side.  I kind of feel special that way.  I don't have very many memories of her being upset with me.  And the memories I do have of her being upset with me, always resulted in me winning her over.  I suppose you could say I had her wrapped around my finger... Perhaps because I'm her baby sister's baby?  Truthfully, every one of her grandchildren probably say the same thing - they had her wrapped around their finger.

I just know that I was one of the very few that was allowed to use the indoor bathroom at the family cabin.  And I remember on one occasion, I was able to convince her to make apricot syrup for the traditional family pancake breakfast (after she shot down a handful of other requests for the same syrup).  

Aunt Lois was a beautiful seemstress.  I loved receiving packages in the mail from her because it was usually something special that she sewed for me.  I still wear the pair of pajama bottoms she made me nearly 12-years ago! And they're still in tip-top shape!  I LOVE them!

I could go on and on about how much I loved this woman!  And I think it had to do with how much she loved me!  She is someone special.  I can't wait to see her again!

Aunt Lois and me at Uncle Dale's funeral

(photograph courtesy of my cousin, Abbie Rufener)

Pancakes!

Stephen Wildish

Recentings

Here's a little something that has been occupying the majority of my iPhone time:



Look at those little paws! And those flippy-floppies! I have watched this video an undisclosed (e.g. 100+ ) amount of times the past few days. One might say that I'm on the ledge about to jump into the obsession category. I'm pretty sure if I was in close proximity to a baby sea otter I might exhibit some of the same characteristics as one Elmyra Duff.

Apparently it's illegal to own a baby sea otter. Or regular-sized sea otter for that matter. It seems as though people are a bit fearful of the everyday commoner owning a wild animal. I have no idea why one would be afraid of their next door neighbor owning an wild animal?!!!

Even so, I've told Wyatt that I want one to live in our bathtub. I don't think he realizes I'm serious because he just laughs. Or maybe it's a nervous laugh... I made my friend Tessa, who is visiting Alaska this Spring, promise me she will "grab the baby from it's mother's clutches" and bring it home to me for my very own!

Soon you will be mine baby sea otter!!!

Another video viewed an unusually high amount of times:



Wyatt and I LOVE the dancing!

And you thought I was going to debut with something clever...

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Cards of Christmas' Past: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Uncle Dale

This week I am grateful for eternal families and the plan of salvation. My dear Uncle Dale passed away on November 11th. He was 84 and sick, so the news of his death didn't come as a surprise. Even so, it's not easy to come to terms with the fact that someone you love has passed away. It truly is the atonement that has helped me cope with his passing. Knowing that his time on earth was nothing more than a fraction of his life. Knowing that I will be able to see my sweet uncle, with my other family, again in the afterlife. How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father that understood love and families, and provided a way to make them eternal.

I wish I could express exactly how my heart feels about Uncle Dale. My mother's parents died when I was very young, too young to recollect any memories of them. Uncle Dale and Aunt Lois understood this and filled the void I would otherwise have. They stepped in as my grandparents and treated me as if I were one of their own grandchildren. I have many fond memories of Uncle Dale.

Uncle Dale and me, 1988.

Many summer vacations at their cabin in the Uinta Mountains of Wyoming.

My week visit alone to the cabin and their home in Green River, Wyoming in 1988 when I wasn't quite six.

My visit with my cousins to their home in Thermopolis, Wyoming in 1995 when I was 12.

Uncle Dale and Aunt Lois's visit when I lived in Chicago, 2001.

Our lunch date at Little America when I was passing through on my move to Oregon, 2006.

The thousands of griddle cakes Uncle Dale cooked on an open fire.

The blue jumpsuit he always wore.

The way he always sang.

His smile.

His giant bear hugs.

Uncle Dale with my cousin Collette's kids. I love the smile on his face.

Uncle Dale had a way of making everyone he met and knew feel special. I know that every grandchild thought they were his favorite. He made me feel the same way; I felt like I was his favorite. He always called me "English" (derived from Brittany - Great Britain - England - English). He could light up a room simply by walking into it. He had an unwavering testimony of the gospel. He had an infinite love for my aunt.

I received a letter from Uncle Dale last December that I have cherished ever since. My aunt had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's for a handful of years and the effects of the disease were transparent. Even so, Uncle Dale met this adversity with a positive attitude. The following is an excerpt from the letter he wrote me, describing his feelings for Aunt Lois:

"I am thinking of moving her to another location closer to where I live... I love her so much so maybe I can spend more time with her also. She is doing amazingly well. She knows me and calls me by name. We told the beautician not to color her hair and it has come in the prettiest gray. Not white gray but gray gray, it is so pretty and shinny. It just enhances her looks. I take her for a ride in the car about at least once a week and some times twice. She seems to soak up everything and reads me signs, tells me when the lights are green for go and red to stop. Her health is excellent other than Alzheimer's. She tells me she loves me and wants to kiss me. I love it."

Uncle Dale and Aunt Lois at the cabin.

I can only hope that Wyatt will be in love with me after 60 years of marriage the way my uncle was in love with my aunt. He was chivalrous.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the other side Uncle Dale. I love you.