A remider to go to the temple‏

Kirsten wrote: Too good not to pass on...

Eric wrote: Who are they Sylvester Stallone and Dustin Hoffman?

E

Myrna wrote: They are Mormon actors.

Todd wrote: Just a couple of cute little devils, I guess.

Helen: A gorgeous Sabbath and Thomas Kinkade inter picture‏

My beloved Hon and Sister:
Thank you for your e-mail dear, dear Sister.

To both of you- I have been praying and one goal in my fasting this week-end has been to put in words to each of you the sorrow felt for my not approached the situation after Don called differently than I did.

Would it be possible to recover time and instances myreponse to sending any information to Don right now would be to let me check with him and see if he would want any.

Also after he called me I would call you and let you know he didn't want to receive any information on e-mail- for though Thelma doesn't use the computer she does check e-mails as a number of her family and friends use it to correspond with them. (This I did not know before his last call.)

My heavy heart and soul since he called and I spoke with you, dear Sister, has not been the information you sent, as Thelma saw none of it, has been my deep sorrow in not having let you know he didn't want any more information right now, and not even indicating his grief. I could have handled it so peaceful that there would be no wounds.

I have reread several times the experience of th Saviour and Peter--Luke 22: 54-62.
As President Kimball has indicated in an article he wrote about His Friend Peter, he indicated Peter did not deny the Saviour- he denied knowing Him. Then he went out and wept for having done so.

Hon and Sister, please know the pain of how I handled the situation with you is deep because I love you both and Don and Thelma so dearly and want to do nothing to harm in anyway. I almost feel like I betrayed all four of you in not being more tactful. Can't imagine how beloved Peter felt.

Truly enough shared, and no more to be said. Right ?? As from Fiddler on the Roof  "Of course Right."

Last night I sat with tearfilled eyes and deep gratitude for the sure knowledge of a Prohpet of God on the earth as I watched my copy of On The Lords' Errand. All I can say about this man is OH MY. How grateful to traverse this part of eternal sojourns with such a Man as This. He to me is like Ester- sent for such a time as this.

Your 14 copies are in the mail as of 8:30 in the A.M.

Hope everyone enjoys.

I spent the day this past Friday with Eva getting all her Christmas decor put away and cleaning, what seemed to be truck loads of huge leaves, from her front porch and patio. While I finishing the work she made apple dumplings, with a very good sauce poured over, from a can of crescent rolls, chopped pecons and pieces of granny smith apples. Was most nummy.I told her we should get this receipe to Myrna, if you don't have it, that your family would really enjoy.

Well dear ones I will close now- work on my Ward History for today, am the Ward Historian, and try to keep it currect with each event- my yearly report for the past year is due on the 15th January to the Bishop and Stake Executive Secretary.

I didn't remember to let you know- if you read in the paper about the two snowmobilers who were killed in an avalance around Logan on Christmas eve day- one was a recently returned missionary and the other had been married only a short while. They had been best of friends since grade school. The recently returned missionary is a family member of Jens' Carolyn- either her nephew or cousin don't remember which Don told me. They were out with several other friends who saw is happen, but were able to get out of the way. What heartache comes in this life- aren't we glad our Father and Saviour know, understand and help in every way they can. Grateful for the Gospel, for life and for you.

Have a very special New Year- Tim, my garage is yours when you go to Colorado the end of this month- just let me know your plans on flights our and in.
Love you both much. Your Eternal Sister--Just Me. H.T.

Am so pleased Shawn is enjoying his new opportunity at B.Y.U but then what is there to not enjoying it.

I only watched the U of U game periodically Friday night- but what a game--so glad they won.


     

Re: Errors That Aren't: 12 Grammar Rules You Can Toss Out the Window‏

Shawn wrote: When I took an English usage class at college, I wrote a paper about rules of grammer that would show up in textbooks, that were not really English usage rules, but rules coming from Latin. There was a period where those who felt English was too informal had tried to foist some Latin usage rules upon the English language, in order to formalize the language more. (In my view there is a reason that Latin is a dead language, even though it has a prosperous offspring.) This article correctly identifies a couple of those rules. My recollection is that it was also a rule of Latin to never end a sentance with a preposition. There are, however, those teachers who still came through their high school and college careers grazing upon these rules, and they are still raised as proper forage in some English textbooks. So, it is still good to be aware of the rules rather than be docked points for not following them.


AnnMarie wrote: Shawn and Mom,
When I took modern grammar usage at BYU my professor challenged us to use conjuctions at the start and prepositions at the end of sentences just to make people aware that they are proper.  And I have been doing so every time it seems right to.  (See.)  I am also very fond of splitting my infinitives, particularly when I want to persuasively argue a point.  (Did it again.)  

I would put in a plug for still saying, "This is she (or he)" when answering the phone.  And I am also fairly snobbish with the use of "whom."   "For whom the bell tolls."  "Whom should I give this to?"  "This book is for whom?"  

This article was so well written that I read it out loud to Brandon and Kyle.  I found myself chuckling, especially over the eaten children.  Of course, Kyle left the room, and Brandon gave a courteous laugh when he thought it was appropriate.  I guess they needed to be raised in a home where grammar rules were taught at the dinner table, which has been a blessing to those of us who write for a living.
Ams

There is a Do Not Call List

Myrna wrote: Please do not send a card, an e-mail, a letter, a call or in anyway contact Uncle Don and Aunt Thelma. It turns out that he is not telling Thelma what is the matter with her for now. He has not discussed the problem with his children. Nathan's wife alerted her father, Dr. Stone, that he needed to help Thelma because something was dreadfully the matter with her. He contacted Don and they set up a physical examination where it was determined what was the matter. Therefore, Nathan and his wife know what is wrong. Jens and Carolyn know something is wrong. The rest do not and, apparently, none of the grandchildren know. That is the way of it. 

Whatever decisions have been made by Don, it is his decision to make. I do want to know, if anything of the like happens to me, as does Dad. 

I have caused much grief by not knowing, nor understanding, that I should not have sent e-mail information to Don. Helen thought that Thelma never used the computer. However, she does use it on a limited basis. Since this is all a secret from her, Don was afraid that she might see one of the mailings. He has been upset with me. He tried to call me to scold me but, luckily for me, Dad and I were not home. He talked to Helen about it and she relayed the information to me. He was also upset with himself and Helen that, even though he had granted permission to Helen to tell Eva and Dad, he had not made it clear that it was a secret being kept from the family in general and from Thelma herself.

Please keep their secret. Do not discuss it with anyone.

Love, M

Dear Helen From Myrna

I appreciate your expressions of love. I understand where Don is coming from and I will stay out of things. He is in the early stages of grief and I recognize that. I am alerting my children that they are to keep secret something that I should not have revealed. I am too open a person--if I bleed I usually end up bleeding all over everyone, not just myself. I did not understand that the information about Thelma was to be kept private and secret. I probably would have emoted to my children, who are my confidants, at any rate. However, they are used to me and the way I react to sadness, worry and concern. They just let me emote and let it go.

I know that is how you feel with Nanci and why you talked things over with her. Now that they have grown up, our children, they have become good friends to us, have they not?

I also believe that all family members want to be educated on all issues that concern any one of us. I do a lot of studying about the issue of senile dementia because I have concerns that I may have passed a physical weakness on to my children because of my own heritage. Therefore, for years and years, I have had an interest. In fact, our one doctor friend (Dr. Tatton) told me once that I probably knew as much as he did about the subject. A compliment but probably not true.

The love between us (Helen and Myrna), as family members and as sisters, is not affected. I will always love, admire and stand in awe of you and of all you have accomplished in life. That has not changed. I find no fault in you. I understand Don and his feelings. Could I undo anything, it would be undone. However, we all live with our choices, innocent or not. When one of my sisters became angry with me, she said that she would leave my God to judge me. She did not mean it kindly at the time, though she has mellowed some since, but she is right. My God will be my judge for he knows me well and knows the intent of my heart. My fault is that I should emote more to Him and less to others.

Remember, that you only wanted to do the right thing. You always have shown love and concern for others and you always will. That can cause you problems from time to time, to your view, but it can also bring you a lot of devoted fans (me included).
Let's just put this to rest. We will continue to love and pray for Thelma and for Don. I will put their names on the prayer roll. However, it is probably best if he does not know anything about any of that. His heart is too raw right now. I am sorry, if by e-mailing him I have caused him extra grief. I sent too much information too quickly. But I am done. I will not send more. That is the end.

Let us both look forward to a happy new year. A chance to begin again, repent, change, start over. I know that is what we should do every day, right?
I do love you, M

A special New Years Eve‏

Dearest Sister:  It is 5 p.m. on New Years Eve day and I have just arrived home. Left early this a.m. to work at the Ft, Union Distribution Center- Were extemely busy today.

Myrna, please be at peace with the situation of having sent e-mails to Don. As I told you when I called him back later last night, after he had called me about his concern, I did tell  him I accepted responsibility for having you send the article from the Readers Digest- told him you and I had spoken about it with you wanting to know whether I thought it would be okay. I told him I told you yes- my apology to him for anything he felt would intrude in not having information available to Thelma was given. I told him since he called me I had called Eva and you. He did tell me last night he doesn't want either Eva or myself to call to talk with Thelma, as she isn' t functioning too well on the phone. I reasured him his requests will be honored. He did tell me Dr. Stone had told Don not to say anything to Thelma right now- they have an appointment with Dr. Stone in the next week or so, to do further evaluation. Don is really trying to protect her as we can all appreciate.

This whole situation is quite devastating for all and has quickly made necessary some very drastic changes in their (Don and Thelma's lives.)

Myrna; please be at peace- I told Don intentions were good, there was no malintent.
Don is just having a terrific time right now and as he told me when we talked thd Friday before christmas he said he just didn't know what to do. This to be sure is about many things that are coming very quickly.

Oft times each person needs time to take a deep breath and reqroup- for Don this isn't an opinion at this time.

I want to apologize to you for having you go ahead and sent the article from the Digest- it would have been most appropriate for me to  indicate to you to not send anything until I had asked Don about it. So dear, I accept responsibility as I told Don- and I think we just the situation go and be extremely charitable to all-- it is a challenge, to be sure, none of us would choose, it the choice was ours.

All I can say is lesson learned for me- by now with all the years and various experiences one would think I would be ready to sprout wings and wear a halo-Guess what???Just isn't so.

Also, dear, as you and I spoke the other day you indicated you had always felt Thelma, Eva and myself had somethng going to us that you didn't and as a result you didn't feel quite up to us.( this may not be exactly what you said or meant, but was my perspection of what you said.)

Myrna, please know there is no truth in your perception as far as I am concerned. We are all very different, as was intended by our Creator, we all have gifts, different to be sure, and all have strenghts--all of this is a divine, eternal plan. Father and the Saviour has never and will never compare us or judge us except on our on merits. We need to be charitable with ourselves and do the same. Well, dear, I am going to close, clean the house, fix some supper and just enjoy the Christmas tree, decorations and all.
Please know how much I love and appreciate you dear- you could not be dearly to me if you were my blood sister- because gospel Sisters are all from the lineage of our Father and Mother in Heaven.

Have a special night and tomorrow with your family.

Love--Just me --your eternal Sister-Helen

I am a great-aunt again.

I am a great-aunt on the Pitts side of the family! Isn't that good news? Of course, that happened to me earlier when Charlotte and Cydney became grandmothers. But this is the first grandchild for Laurel. They are excited and so are the rest of us. 
Gus is the proud father, Janessa is the proud mother, and Laurel and Tom are the proud grandparents.

Little Garrett Gus Marinos was born on Dec. 18 at 8:47 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 and one-half inches long.

Laurel said he has light brown hair, with a touch of red and has his mother's mouth. 
I saved the birthday card she sent me to open on my birthday. Inside the card was the good news!

Al Pitts wrote: I conclude then, that your birthday is December 29, 1941.


Love you 
al 


Myrna wrote: Nope. My birthday is December 24, 1940. You should conclude that my birthday is on December 24, 1940. I tried to see how I had mislead you but failed. Anyway, I am now 68 as of this
last birthday. Love, M 


Al wrote: Your wisdom is beyond my years, simply you are also beyond my years.
You're older than me, hahaha 

Todd Thank You

Todd wrote: Thank you for the Christmas cash. It will come in handy. I want to buy some add-ons for my motorbike. You will need to see it some day. Merry Christmas. I hope you liked your birthday present and other items.
Love,
T


Myrna wrote: We hope to come and visit soon and see the motorbike in person. Perhaps we could come on our way to or from Braden's graduation.

I am really pleased with the necklace. I have wanted one for some time but have not wanted to pay the price. So thank you.

Dad and I have been looking at mills because ours does not work anymore. Julie has the style you gave us so it is proved (meaning we know it works). Thank you for that also.

I actually received your addition to my birthday gift on my birthday! I had waited to open the gifts from all of you until the family who were coming for dinner all arrived. I had finished and we were setting the table for dinner when there came a knock on the door. The UPS worker had your package to me and I opened it right then. I was happy to have a garden tool apron that I can carry on my person. Dad is always teasing me that I have to locate the tools, and that it takes an hour, before I can begin any project outside. Now, he says, I have an apron and, if I remember to put it on the hook he just made for it in the garage, I will always have them handy.

Thank you.

Myrna wrote: We spent a quiet day alone, Dad and I, on Christmas. You can see more about it on the family blog site.

Did the kids like the books? I am sorry there is not an adult one. Maybe I can send two next year.

Love, M


Todd wrote: The kids loved the books. They all read them as soon as they were opened and Hailey had us read them to her. They commented that Grandma T always gets the best books. Everyone had an enjoyable time, I think. I am glad you are happy with your presents. It is hard to know what to get the people who have it all.

Myrna wrote: I am glad that the books were loved. My favorite parts of Christmas, next to family and visiting, was finding a quiet corner to read my Christmas book. As for having everything--we do. We have family and love and the gospel. As for the rest, well, I do want a new sewing machine. Dad gave me money for that. Now all I have to find is one I like. Love, M

Todd wrote: I forgot to tell you that Hailey’s card didn’t have any money in it and Tyler had $5 too much.  We’re not worried about it.

It would be nice to have you here after Braden’s graduation.  We have been here four years by then and you would have only made it once.  Time for a trip.

Myrna: The money is on the way. Thanks for letting me know. Love, M

Todd: We’re not worried about it.  Just wanted you to know in case you have misplaced some money.  Thank you.

Myrna: I did have $20 left and worried about why. Now I know. I have mailed the money to Hailey today. Love, M

Aunt Thelma

Myrna wrote: I suppose you all know that Aunt Thelma also volunteered at a home for those with Alzheimer's, dementia and other age-related medical problems. I suppose you know that two of Dad's friends, Lloyd Sundquist and Robert Jarrett, both have Alzheimer's. Lloyd loves LHT. He volunteers to do any assignment where he can have LHT for his companion. He tells dad that he can feel himself slipping a bit but he is still in the Sunday School Presidency. Robert is Dad's home teaching companion. He still remembers the past pretty well but he can't help teach the lesson but sometimes he prays. If I ever develop the disease and get really bad, I want to be put in a home where they offer specialized help and, as Melanie does, interesting projects for the patients. And as Dad says, I will have the opportunity to make new friends every day (the same ones--I just won't remember them from the day before).
Love, M

Melanie wrote: The interesting thing with the dementia disease is that past and present are the same in the patient's mind. Thus, when seeing your children, you start believing that they are your parents. It makes sense to me. In the end, those whom we cared for, end up caring for us. Part of that eternal round, I suppose....


Myrna wrote: Now you know why Rachel doesn't want to get old. She just wants to stay little forever and live with her mom and dad at her home. But I also do want to live in my home forever--this home. There are a lot of people who are blessed enough to be able to do that. I would like to be among them. 
----

Melanie Works With Dementia Patients

 I have been working with Alzheimer's and dementia patients for a little while now. It has been a rewarding and yet, sad experience. It is hard for me to see these strong willed people dwindle. I have had some amazing spiritual moments with them. They are all mothers, sisters, daughters, fathers, brothers, husbands. They have all been loved. Some more than others. When I read to them and look into their eyes, my spirit can feel their gratitude, even if they can't find the words to tell me. Their spirits are strong and beautiful. They hold my hand. They cry. They are afraid. Some of them have warm days, where the sun shines and all seems well. We love those days, even when our minds are healthy.  I have had testified to me that the atonement will work for them. Their spirits know who they are, even if their bodies don't. It has been a very rewarding experience for me.

There is so much new information about dementia and Alzheimer's. There are so many wonderful programs to help individuals and families. No longer do we put the older people behind closed doors. We encourage the young to visit. We encourage the patients to try to remember the things from their past that hold warm memories. We all have good memories. We read to them stories that they would have heard when they were younger. They might not remember the stories right away, but they will remember the feelings. We play games with them. Some things you never forget: how to catch a ball, how to kick a ball. (Your motor skills work in your behalf: when something is coming toward you, you push it away.) We do wheel chair aerobics. We play bowling, sing songs (sometimes as with a two year old, the same song over and over), and we even make crafts.

I never want to lose control over my faculties, but I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that Christ's atonement will protect me, even if I can't recall how to make my bed or tie my shoes.

When we sang the true carols of Christmas, all those who could speak, testified of their love of God and the belief of the ministering of angels, with tears in their eyes. None of them are LDS, just good God loving people.