Good Morning Friends and
Family,
Back before I left Texas,
I was told I should do a weekly newsletter to keep up with me. I thought they were for families with kids
and grandkids and it was silly for me to do one!! I get a few family newsletters weekly and
LOVE THEM!! But a couple of weeks ago I decided maybe it was time to try this
and see what happens.
On September 9th. I found out some of my Opryland Family, Don
and Mary Fahnestock were out west and not too far from me. When they told me they were coming through
Provo I was soooo excited. Ilater learned
they made a DETOUR through Provo just to see me!! We had a great visit!! They were on their way to Yellowstone and
wanted to go through Flaming Gorge. I
took them on the scenic route to Provo Canyon so they could catch I-80 and be
on their way.Thanks to technology, we had our cell phones going and I played
tour guide in one car while they were in theirs.
We drove by the Provo LDS
Temple, Eastlawn Cemetery (a great place to go and overlook the valley), and to
Bridal Veil Falls (pictures below). As we
said our goodbye’s and I headed down the canyon, the tears started. I had not seen them in 12 years. I was sad to see them go, but when I saw
messages from their family on FB and how much they were missed I was grateful
for my time with them. My love for them has
growneven stronger. I was just so
grateful they took the time to stop and see me!! I have always wondered if I
really have the capacity to love others.
There are many I love, but this day my heart broke to say goodbye.
After getting home from my outing, I discovered my
cousin Gila and her husband Dusty would be in town on Saturday!! That made me even happier!!! I did a double dose of Snoopy Dancing! Gila’s
grandmother Ellen is my Grandfather Vernon’s one and only sister. I was able to meet Gila, Claudia and Spike
(Gilla’s brother and sister) while I lived in Texas.This was Gila and Dusty’s
second stop in Provo (they stopped last year and saw me too). I found out their son Steven is aiming to get
a movie in the Sundance Film Festival down the road in a few years. I was excited as The Sundance Film Festival
happens right here in this area!! Happy
Day!! Good Luck Steven!!
An interesting thing
happened at Chile’s that night. A young
man suffered a seizure. It was probably
20 or 30 minutes before they had the area cleared again. In that time, our waitress could not get our
food to us, so another customer offered and played the waiter part to a
TEE!! I did not think much of it but
Dusty did!! This is what I see so
different about people that I want so much to be like. He asked the waitress for the young couple’s
bill. The young couple was so
appreciative that someone did that for them.
In return the manager came out and thanked Dusty for his kindness and
gave Dusty a gift from Chiles. Dusty may
get a bit embarrassed for me putting this in here, but it touched me so
greatly!!! He let me hold on to him as we went to my car and was parting ways
that night, “We love you and we want you to get healthy to be with us for a
long time.” He said to meor something to that affect. It touched me that he said these things to me
because I know they do love me and care about me. I know, I know a lot of people do. It’s just hard for me to see it as you all
do!!! So thank you Dusty!!!
On October 5th,
the Cain Cousins are gathering to place headstones for our Great Great
Grandmother Virginia Forehand, and two of her sons Mat and John Samuel. Minerva (Gila and my Great Grandmother) and
Virginia’s daughter has a headstone in the Hargis Cemetery. Gila is planning on
representing Minerva’s line of the family at the ceremony!! She brought me a small gift that still shocks
me. She brought me pictures of Minerva
and Nathaniel (Minerva’s husband) Moore.
I had never seen pictures of them.
I did not even know their names until about 4 years ago. And now to see pictures, just in time for the
headstone ceremony. The uncanny thing
was I looked just like Minerva. I was so
grateful for that picture…..I have always felt like the insider looking in.
I know I carry the Moore
name but really had no idea who they were.
But seeing that picture of Minerva…I knew I finally belonged
somewhere.
Sometimes I get angry at my Dad and Grandfather. I just think if they would have been better people, led better lives maybe mine life would not be so hard. Maybe I feel so much responsibility is on me knowing what I know about life. The experience I had with my mom when she passed changed my life forever that day. I think about it everyday and my family and am I doing enough to gather the records and gather them? I don’t know. I know on most days I try my best to do and that is all I can do.
There is a quote I love
from Marvin J Ashton who said: “If we could look into each other hearts and
understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each
other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.”
Because of this journey I’ve
had with Nathaniel and Minerva, my heart has softened towards my family,
especially my Mom, Dad and Grandfather.
It has softened me towards life and towards others. It used to be hard for me to hear the taunts
and disapproval against me. I never felt I was good enough for anything or
anyone. Now I wonder what has happened in their life to be that way and feel
the need to bring another person down? I know we all take different journeys
and deal with life differently. For me
it is my family history. It’s what keeps me going from day to day. And whenever I need a pick me upper, I just
go back and look at the gathering I have done over the last 36 years and
smile.
I don’t think I have had
an exciting life, but it definitely has been a journey!!! Recently I have been helping a friend with
her family history. I have been going
through both lines of her family to find the holes where research and work
still need to be done. It was
interesting on one line (9 Generation chart) there were 77 unaccounted families
in a nine generation fan chart. In
another line I noticed a little girl named Abigail Ann. She was 8 years old and for place of death it
stated, “Died on plains to Salt Lake Valley.”
Life is hard, and
sometimes we need to cry. But we also
must find a way to pick ourselves back up, brush ourselves off and keep
going. May I suggest looking at your
family history and if you don’t have any it is a great time to get
started. Our ancestors have paved the
way for us, sometimes the road may be a bit rocky but we will make it. We may
stumble, but get back up and try again. Thank you all for your friendship, love
and helping hands in helping pull me up!!
Please let me know what
you think of this idea and if you like it or not??? Hope you enjoy the news and pictures and it gives
you a great way to start a Monday Morning!!!
Hugs and Loves Laura
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