Thankgiving

November 25, 2018,

My last letter was sent with the care package. I hope it got to you intact. Two items that didn’t make it were a printout of your Patriarchal Blessing and your insurance card. I stuck both in an envelope and dropped it in the mailbox yesterday. I imagine it will get to you by mid week. I stuck the card in after I had sealed the envelope, so don’t mind the tape.

The holiday vacation was a busy one around here. We read a couple of articles about thanksgiving in the MTC. They told about a service project you guys did. There were pictures of missionaries in the parking garage. There was a picture of 20-30 missionaries in food handling gear. There was a tall missionary in front of and mostly obscuring a slightly taller missionary. Mom is convinced that taller missionary was you. We also read Elder Uchdorf’s devotional. That must have been a special experience.

We had a massive Turkey Bowl here. We had to split it. We had tons of family and neighbors. Joseph and Jacob ended up playing for nearly three hours. I know they missed you. Jacob especially misses you as his QB.

We went over to aunt Patti’s for thanksgiving dinner. I love being with her. The food was really good and it was fun being together. Uncomfortably for you, you are one of the main subjects of conversation. 

Friday morning Jacob and I went to go change grandmas tire. It was super flat. It had a flat piece of metal in it. I was surprised that it could be fixed, but they did. It almost seems like a privilege to serve someone like grandma who serves everyone all the time.

Later Friday I went to lunch with a friend from grade school that I haven’t seen for probably 30 years. It funny how so much time can go by and they are still the same. He works for the military as a forward controller for f-35s over the testing and bombing range at Hill AFB. He told me some cool stories about that. He said that if we ever want to see those planes in action, the Newfoundland mountains are a good place to camp and watch with binoculars. We should plan a trip when you get back.

Friday afternoon I put the lights up. Mom says they look ghetto, but at least they’re up. I think they look sloppy because I miss your reach. I couldn’t quite get them up to the sharp roof peaks without you. 

Friday night we went to Brother Allen’s mortuary viewing. There something about Mormon functions that is comfortable. With the noise and family. There’s always more laughter than tears at those. It seems to be a real demonstration of faith, and it’s comforting. Sister Allen was chatty and faithful. I’m sure she has her dark times, but she doesn’t show it.

Saturday was the funeral service. It was the kind where the deceased is portrayed as good and perfect. Usually the cynic in me scoffs at such portrayals. But with Robert, I 100% agree with them. It went pretty long, I told mom to keep mine to 10 minutes.

We met grandma and grandpa for lunch after at Pollo Loco, then grandma bought us donuts at Krispey Kreme. We missed you there, but the hot and fresh sign was off, and they’re not the same as when fresh. Mom get a combo that came with a hot chocolate, and that was amazing.

So as you have or will hear, Artie had a connection for 3 tix to the rivalry game. Jordan was staying over with us because his folks went to Boise. So they went. A lot of our cousins came over to watch the game. Since Jordan was at the game, Mark was the only BYU fan here. The Utes trailed by as much as 20 points till midway through the 3rd quarter. Mark was elated. But I felt that Utah would finally get going, which they finally did midway through the 3rd. The Utes finally started putting some drives together for the win. Mark looked as if someone had just told him about Santa not being real. I had to go give him a hug. It was a really great comeback. I wonder if you’d heard about it at all.

Today was a pretty quiet Sunday. I had to speak in the 10th Ward. I had the first, 10 minute talk. Not sure how it went. I have to take Jordan home in a few minutes. We stayed up pretty late almost everyday of this holiday, so I’m feeling pooped.

I hope this letter finds you well son. I think of you often, pray for you often too. I look forward to your letter tomorrow. Monday is now my favorite day of the week.

Love, 

Dad