My grandpa

Hi kid,

I’m sitting here next to mom watching Pioneer Woman. We just watched a 30 for 30 on Junior Seau, wow, was that depressing. I’m sorta more than glad that you boys were never into organized sports. But life in general has risks, so you ought to follow your passion whatever it is.

The rest of this week has been quiet. The Utes had 5 players go in the draft. The highest was Blair in the 2nd who went to the Seahawks, Cody Barton went there too in the 3rd. Gay and Washnoiski were drafted, and Hansen went late, he’s been injured and didn’t participate in any combines or pro days, so he went low.

Friday morning at the Avengers movies was pretty fun. The movie was good, though I’m sure someone with a better knowledge of the characters would have liked it more. I realized how invested I was in those characters even at my casual level. I also realized how much of our lives those movies covered, and how many changes we’ve been through. The first Avengers movie got me through some of those lonely days when I was in Texas by myself. I was no less stressed then than I am now, it must be my theme. The other thing I noticed about the movie ware the core themes it covered, loss, grief, hope and restoration. I’m not saying that the movie was in anyway gospel related, but that we as humans respond to similar themes. Those movies make billions of dollars addressing those themes. You have the simple message of the truth that our father in heaven has given us relating to those things. We all desire for those things Ben, including those you talk to.

Yesterday was a quiet day. I ran some errands with mom, continued my garage reorganization. In the afternoon, Bishop Powers daughter had a wedding reception in Pleasant Grove. On the way, we stopped by the Mount timp temple to do initatories. We finally did the baptisms for the ones I forgot that day. Speaking of the temple, my recommend expires in May, I had Brother Carver interview me for the Bishopric, but I missed the Stake Presidency. Bishop told me that I could interview myself for the Bishopric interview, but that just seemed off. I’ll have to go to the temple on Monday and Tuesday and try to get my recommend done next Sunday.

My Uncle Grieg called me last night saying he may have found some photos of my grandpa, my dad’s dad. As you know, my dad was born out of wedlock. My grandma was in love with a fella named Frederico Rivera or Ribera. He was catholic and she was lds. His Father forbade him from marrying her for that reason so they were eventually estranged. He was six feet tall with bright blue eyes. (More proof that you boys get your height from me.) I wonder how my dad’s life would have been different if they had been married. He died young in 1950, so I still wouldn’t have known him.

I’ll finish this letter by telling you about a prayer I had Friday. One of the same prayers that I’ve said countless times these last two months about need a job, doing my part, taking care of the family, finding a job. Ben, I heard in a very soft, but perfectly clear voice, “I have something for you.” It’s the third thing I’ve heard that clearly during this trial Ben. I believe them all, I just need to keep the faith and do my part.

I sure love you kid,

Pops