Along the path...

While retagging a few posts, I thought I ought to include a missing entry. In October, I debated about posting Uncle Ken's passing. Now I wish I would have. Chronology. Memory. He is an important link in our family chain. Uncle Ken (on my dad's side of the family) passed away in October. I clarify, because my mom has a brother Ken who is married to a Karen and my dad has a sister Karon who is married to a Ken. Not the same Kare/ons and not the same Kens. He had been sick before he passed away. That release was likely a blessing for him, but leaves a hole in the lives of those left behind. I still remember hearing about how his great-granddaughter missed her grandpa and how she was so sad he wouldn't be able to watch the Price is Right with her anymore. Ken Beckstrom was also an uncle to Jared Beckstrom who passed away unexpectedly in January from pneumonia. Ken and LeGrande Beckstrom married my aunts: Karon and Colleen, respectively. More information is available online .

On Saturday, a cousin passed away. His death was fairly sudden and unexpected. Life is so short sometimes. Yesterday was Jared Beckstrom 's funeral. He would have been 33 this April. I remember him quiet and kind from family reunions. I am glad to know that this life is only temporary and that separations are not permanent. We mourn his void. Jared will be missed . Parents should not have to bury children. Brent and Debbie, you are in my thoughts and prayers. (As they are with Jeff, Jamie, Justin, Jana, and your families.) May your hearts be comforted with your memories of Jared and your knowledge of the Gospel. May this separation seem like a blink of the eye.

Here is her obituary.

This afternoon my mom's oldest sister passed away. It seems so strange to know that she is gone. Her spirit lives on and she is relieved of the illnesses her body had held. Shelly (her youngest daughter who is about eight or so years older than me) and I were talking about what a wonderful reunion she must be having with her parents and Stan (Shelly's first husband). We sorrow at her passing and for those left behind, especially Uncle Barth. He was the picture of shock and grief tonight. I am glad that all of her children were able to spend some time with her before she left. Later, mom reminised about memories she had of her sister while she was growing up. Dalene was nearly 10 when my mom was born. Most of her memories began with a teenaged Dalene. One memory happened when my mom was eight, while her mom was at a Relief Society meeting and Dalene was in charge. Gayla wanted to go roller skating, but Dalene told her she couldn't go. Gayla and her friends went roller skatin...

Image originally seen on freefoto.com This is a poem I have loved since my early college days. It reminds me to get out and do some planting. Several people have said they feel it is depressing. I find it full of hope and thought of it after reading a friend's recent post about a relationship trial she has been having. Comes the Dawn by Veronica A. Shoffstall After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child and you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much so you pl...