Monday, April 28, 2014

In Memory of Men I Never Knew.......

One of the apartments Dome rented in Marion, MS was right next to a CSA Cemetery.
The day before we left I took a few moments to visit the cemetery and read the accompanying markers.

You cannot study the Civil war and not be moved by the sacrifices made by the men who fought in this great conflict whether they wore Blue, Butternut or Gray. Here is a small tribute to those whose remains lie here, and those who are remembered in this place. 



Dear Madam,

I am a soldier, and my speech is rough and plain.
I'm not much used to writing, and I hate to give you pain,
But I promised I would do it, and he thought it might be so 
If it came from one that loved him, perhaps it would ease the blow.





By this time, you must surely guess the truth I feign would hide,
And you'll pardon me for rough soldier words, while I tell you how he died.



It was in the maw of battle. Fast rained the shot and shell.
I was standing close beside him, and I saw him when he fell.
So I took him in my arms, and laid him on the grass.
It was going against orders, but I think they let it pass.


'Twas a minne ball that struck him. It entered at his side.
But we didn't think it fatal 'til this morning, when he died.




"Last night, I wanted so to live. I seemed so young to go.
Last week I passed my birthday. I was just 19, you know.
When I thought of all I planned to do, it seemed so hard to die.
But now I pray to God for Grace, and all my cares gone by."




And here his voice grew weaker, as he paused and raised his head.
And whispered, "Goodbye, Mother." And your soldier boy was dead.



I carved him out a headboard, as skillful as I could
And if you wish to find it, I can tell you where it stood.
I send you back his hymnbook, the cap he used to wear,
The lock I cut the night before, of his bright, curly hair.



I send you back his bible; The night before he died, 
I turned its leaves together, and read it by his side.


I keep the belt he was wearing; He told me so to do.
It has a hole upon the side, just where the ball went through.
So now I've done his bidding. I've nothing more to tell.
But I shall always mourn with you the boy we loved so well.


Daisy Turner, Storyteller and Poet,
September 26, 1990









Friday, April 25, 2014

Our Louisiana Weekend

Back in February Darryl and I took a weekend off to visit with friends in Gonzales, Lousiana. We chose a good weekend to visit.


We stayed with our good friends David and Pauline ..... 

We shared great visits and delicious food. (I love that about Louisiana, there is always good food!)

We also went to the Stake High Priest Social where we visited with many more friends!
***
I just want to say that....


these

dear

friends

make

life

fun!

We

sure

Love
 You!
*******
On Sunday we went to church where I took a moment and visited the wonderful youngsters I used to teach in Sunday School! I love these kids, they are the best!

It was a delightful visit, though I wish we could have stayed longer. Maybe next time!
Look for us sometime in 2015 - and as Sid would say....
"See y'all while ago"!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Going home and Easter Fun in Idaho

Darryl and I left our little apartment in Meridian, MS on Monday March 31st and headed home to Idaho via the Southern route. We stopped in Flower Mound, TX and spent the night with Bill and Linda Cunningham then traveled on to Wichita Falls, TX Tuesday morning and had lunch with my sister Sandy Shawver before continuing westward on I-40. We stayed with Cami and Jacob in Gallup and Darryl helped them pour their new back patio. 

We left Cami and Jacob's on Friday headed north into the mountains and arrived at Hillary and Jake's in Springville, UT where we played with Gabriel and met up with Cody. Darryl helped them pour a new sidewalk and we stayed through Sunday and watched General Conference with them. 

We arrived in Idaho on Monday April 7th and immediately started the unpacking and re-packing process for our next adventure. I watched Cali and Jesse's kids a couple of days and we got ready for the Easter Holiday! 

Tyree and Gabriel at the Easter Egg/ Candy hunt in Menan.
 Tyree wasn't too sure about what was going on -
 
but Gabriel was thrilled with his goodies!

He loved the Easter Bunny, but Tyree wouldn't get within 6 feet or it!
 

 She clung to her mom like super Glue whenever the Bunny was around.
 While Jesse, Hillary and Tyree decorated Easter Eggs Saturday I baked a Bunny cake and started decorating the dining room.




After a wonderful Sabbath Day with Beautiful messages on the Atonement we came home to find the Easter Bunny hid all the eggs Tyree had colored. Tyree, Gabriel, Parker and Gideon had fun finding them. We ate lots of Candy and Chocolate, had Goldenrod for lunch and later Parker hosted a Tea Party for Grandma, Gideon and the Dinosaurs. 





We watched the Easter Video "Because of Him" which delivers such a powerful message of hope. You can view it here.
 All in all it was such a pleasant Easter Holiday and we hope that yours was just a wonderful.

THE END

Funny story. 
Jesse kept trying to take pictures of Gabriel picking up eggs and she said, every time I get ready to take the picture Hillary steps in the way and all I get is her bum. 10 seconds later I was ready to snap a picture of the kids and guess who stepped right in front of my camera? Yep - Jesse. Haha!
Love you!