Dani's Tribute

While searching through my files yesterday, looking for a particular article that I could not find, I ran across the following letter. Written by my grand daughter, Dani, I share it with you - written as a school assignment in 1999. Hope you enjoy...

MEMORIES

As I sat in the pews, memories of my Great Grandma Dahl flooded my head. I remembered one specific trip I gook when I was just a little girl. Our family had gone to Utah to visit my relatives that lived there. One beautiful Utah day my Great Grandma Dahl and I decided we wanted to go on a walk. Grandma taught me not to step on any cracks or else I would fall and break my back. My grandma and I hopped along the sidewalk and before long, we were lost, but we didn't know it. Hours went by before someone found us and not for one minute did we know we were lost.

I smiled as I vaguely recalled that day to myself. My smile grew as I remembered a time, a little ways down the road of life.

My Great Grandma had gotten a little older, as did I. Our family had decided to get together and play in Grandma Grover's pool. Of course Great Grandma was to old to swim, but that did not stop her from getting in the pool. My grandma, great grandma and I eased into the pool and began inching our way around. We clung to the sides of the pool as tightly as we could. We squealed with delight as we made our laps around the pool.

How wonderful those times had been. My smile grew ever larger as I relived my daily visits to Great Grandma's house.

My brothers and I raced through the door and down the hallway to the mesmerized door of my great grandma's retirement home. It became routine for us to visit Grandma every single day. On the opposite side of the door you could hear Grandma slowly making her way across the room to the door. As the door slowly opened Grandma greeted us with her hugs. I would race to my favorite chair by the window, being overwhelmed with happiness, I would sink into the chair. Before long my mom would announce those all to familiar words "Come on kids, tell Grandma good-bye, it's time to go." "Good-bye, Grandma, I love you" I would say as I walked out the door.

Pools of tears formed in my eyes as I came to the reality of my situation. I slowly rose from the pew and began walking. I found myself looking down at my Great Grandma Dahl in her coffin. I treasure all the memories I had of My Great Grandma Dahl for they were the only thing I had left of her. I quietly whispered, "Good-bye, Grandma, I love you" for the last time.

America, Why I Love Her

This is a critical time in our country's history... I have loved the "red, white and blue" all my life. One of my favorite ways of expressing my love of country is by an honored patriot, John Wayne. Enjoy the song, listed lst on my music list, it stirs my soul. He was truly a great American

How do I begin....

To begin from the beginning of my life would be 70 years ago. That covers a lot of territory. I have been blessed with a full life, wonderful family, friends, career and now in semi retirement to begin a new phase of my life.
Along the way, Lew and I built a family of 5 children, shown below and then came 15 grandchildren and at last count 9 great grandchildren. Life has been rich indeed
My most favorite place to be is at our lake home on Deer Lake where we gather for family outings and reunions. The picture below of "part of the entire family", taken in 2006, is in celebration of the 30th reunion. We just had our 31st this August - we didn't get a picture!!
Our promise to Mom and Dad Grover, who began the reunions in 1976, to always continue getting together, has been fulfilled and will continue long after we are gone (I pray). It is our little piece of heaven - many wonderful memories are there, from the time our children were small to the great grandchildren now. It is our delight to welcome the entire family to visit, play, relax, have fun and good food. Come often, come early, stay long, and play hard.