Pictures of the heart

The boys were all home the last two weekends. Yeah, I know, Blake lives in Cheyenne, and so does Bart at the moment, but Bret was here. Do you think I could get one stinkin' picture of all of us together? Nada! But I have pictures in my heart.

Like, on Mother's Day, when Lyle and I left to go to church, hoping that they'd all get up, get showered, and come to their old home ward on time. I can't even express the joy my heart felt when they all came in and sat down. That picture will indeed be in my heart forever!

Eating together again. How rare, how fun. I miss the little things that go away when your children do. We had roast, and hearing, "Mom, this is good," made me smile. Lyle bantered back and forth with the boys about 'stuff'...like he always does....and I think there was an attempt at a joke in there somewhere too....What a great picture all of us at the table that would have been.

Then, Bret and Bart took off for a week for a road trip. Utah, California, Oregon, and Idaho! Seeing them pack up and drive off in that car that wasn't even Bret's gave my heart a stir. What an adventure for them. What a worry for me. (am I EVER going to stop worrying about these grown up men of mine? don't count on it.) This is indeed a picture you would have liked to have seen! And I am pretty sure Bart has pictures of their trip that I haven't even seen yet!

Saturday was wash the vehicles day! All 6 of them! We talked, laughed, vacumed, scrubbed, cried, hugged. That is one great picture of one fun afternoon. Thanks guys for all pitching in!

Sunday was stake conference....how I enjoy sitting with my family! How I enjoy our friends making a big deal about seeing our boys. How my joy is full when I feel complete because they are with us.

Horse rides, dogs running in the yard, sitting out in the front, soaking up some sun and warmth, and showing off some pretty dang white legs! Whose are whitest, I'll never tell, but those are some nice pics AND legs! (whistle) Too bad there aren't any REAL pictures!

Bret packed up his car again today and headed back to St. Louis. Not such a good picture of me here. He wasn't even here long enough. How I hated seeing that old beat up car leave my drive way again. And now Bart is probably going to pack up and head back to Utah soon.
Can you see my wrinkled forehead and the tears welling up in my eyes in this picture?

Lyle give me a hug of comfort. Great pic here!

I wish I could show you this final picture I've taken of all of us standing outside today, in the sunshine, smiling, and joking and enjoying the day...I can't show you, but it's all right here in my heart.

A wedding!

Well, it's not what you think! Nope, it's not one of the boys!



It was grandpa!

Harold and Marlene were married on Saturday May 2, 2009 in Boulder Colorado.

I have to be very honest and say that the idea of Harold getting married again was very tough for me. But seeing them together calmed me and I realized that Harold and Marlene are well-suited, and that they will be able to take care of one another in their golden years. Being alone is something neither of them wanted for themselves.

There were moments of sadness as I realized that he was moving on with his life... And, There were moments of understanding... It seemed that Harold was letting go of my Mom, but I now understand that the love they shared will always be there, just as the love he has for Margaret, his first wife will always be there.

Harold was very good to my Mom. He took good care of her, and protected her, and loved her. He took on her whole family, and became a grandpa to her grandchildren. He will always be the only grandpa our kids will ever remember.

I know he will always love my Mom, and us kids, and our children. How fortunate is the man who can be married 3 times in a lifetime to 3 VERY magnificent women. Most of us are lucky to have that happen once in a lifetime!

The music during the ceremony was especially sweet. Dave and Lyle did a fabulous job. How they remained calm I do not know!

As they sang, "A lady like you." (sung by Glen Campbell) I could not help but think of my dear mother and the Lady she was and will always be. (Happy Mother's Day Mom!)

"Here I am....just an ordinary man, my virtues are few.

And I'm amazed....every morning when I wake...with a lady like you.

You're all the good things God put on this earth...

And you're so much more than I deserve.

What did I ever do, to win a lady like you?

Look at me, I'm as common as can be...but you make me shine.

and look at you...you're a lady through and through, so gracious and kind.

And when you're sleeping softly by my side

I look at you and I'm mystified...

What did I ever do, to win a lady like you?

Heaven knows I'm less than perfect, yet I have found the very best.

But it's a mystery, how someone like me, was chosen to be blest With a Lady like you.

You're all the good things God put on this earth...and you're so much more than I deserve, and what did I ever do, to win a Lady like you?"

(See what I mean.....!)

Then...

Dave had a surprise up his sleeve when he sang during lunch, acapella, "They think we're too young." (sung by Nat King Cole) Tender and sweet for sure.

You know, when Mom married Harold all those years ago, it was hard. But my love for her, and not wanting her to be alone for the rest of her life, over-rode all my emotions. It wasn't always easy...but, most importantly, I will always be grateful for the kindess and love Harold showed to my Mother and that she was not alone. And for the very same reasons, I am sure Marlene's children are accepting this marriage for the same reasons, as are ALL of us in Harold's family trying to do the same. 2 people are not alone any more.

Maybe this post seems odd to you, and I suppose it IS pretty odd. But I sure have learned that life doesn't turn out much like we planned it.