Leaving a Legacy

The past few minutes have been spent scrolling through snapshots I took at my uncle's funeral. Some of them will be edited later on to include in my own personal history. As I looked at the faces and gestures of love shared, I began to wonder how I will be remembered when I leave this mortal world. This is not the first I have thought this, as I have survived a failing heart and am now doing well. When someone dies, it is a time for re-evaluating one's life. What will the world say about me? Will anyone remember the contributions I have made? Will I have done anything important to build God's Kingdom on Earth? The pictures I am sharing bring forth these kinds of thoughts of the legacy I know my uncle has left behind, one that I hope to grow from. 

Elder L. Tom Perry was a Marine. At the end of WWII, he was one of the first occupation troops to enter Japan. This picture of them relaxing was taken after the honorable service these young men provided at the graveside. The playing of "Taps" moved many of us to tears. The final salute to my Aunt Barbara took my breath away. 

During the photo sessions, I looked up to see this lovely sight. Look carefully. Each Marine is placing his hand on his neighbor's shoulder, I imagine to signify unity and brotherhood. They offered a moment of silence to this beloved man. It was incredibly moving.

I learned that Alex Boye' is my relative. >wink< When I saw him in the family seating at the funeral services, I expressed gratitude for his support. He told me that my uncle was the one who sealed Alex and his wife in the temple, so that made us all family. This is a photo of my "cousin" and I at the graveside. 

Alex and the Marines had a few joyful minutes together. I am sure Uncle Tom was smiling at the happy memories being made in his honor. 

One sight that touched me at the viewing and the graveside was that of the flowers. Each Church Auxiliary send flowers to the family. How beautiful! 

After the burial, I went to get my car at Temple Square. Two casually dressed gentlemen were facing this flag across the grounds from them. As I passed by, I overheard one saying ".... it was an Elder Perry or something that passed away. Apparently he was a leader of some kind in their church." I paused, turned, and walked over to them. I smiled kindly at them for their curious respects they were paying. I explained I overheard them and I just just come from the funeral of the man they were discussing. Very respectfully, one man asked, "Who was he" to which I replied, "His name was L. Tom Perry and he was my uncle." They explained they were tourists and had inquired to someone why the flags were being flown at half mast. Until then, I had not even noticed. All of the flags on Temple Square were flown at half mast! How lovely! One man asked, "He was a leader in your local church here?" Suppressing a chuckle, I smiled and replied, "Yes, he was an elder, and one of head leaders in this worldwide church and he was a very good man." They offered their condolences, which I accepted, and I left, pausing to take this picture. I absolutely love that Elder Perry's legacy was already reaching people, so quickly after his passing. 

When I leave this frail existence, when I lay this mortal by
Father, Mother, may I meet You in Your royal courts on high?
[Oh My Father, by Eliza R. Snow]

I know that when I leave this frail existence, I hope people know that I had striven to live the best life I could. I want them to know that I loved serving others because it made me happy, and brought me closer to the Savior, not just because it was expected of me. I want my posterity to know that I was grateful for the gifts God blessed me with and I desired to use them for the building of His Kingdom on Earth. Most of all, I hope to be remembered for my testimony of Jesus Christ, that through His Atonement, we can find everlasting peace, that through Him we can be saved, and by His grace, and the covenants we make in the Temple, families CAN be together- forever! How grateful I am to have personally known someone to live an exemplary life! May we all strive to become more like the One perfect man to walk this earth- even Jesus Christ. 

Living a Legacy-
Mama Dragon

Guarding Liberty

When my daughter was 6 years old, she became the youngest member of the National Patriot Guard Riders. (I will save that story for another day.) Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake International Airport and honor WWII veterans who were coming home from the Utah Honor Flight. These are men that came home after the war without fanfare. 70 years later, they received it. 

That day was a very wet, cold, and rainy one. We met the Utah Guard at the nearby State Fair Grounds for our planning meeting. While the adults gathered, the children entertained themselves.(She wants a motorcycle so badly!)

Because of the whether, the flight had been delayed by three hours. It was dinner time, so many of us decided to go to a nearby restaurant and grab a bite to eat. My daughter got on a high and got really, really silly with some of her "crew".

When we got to the airport later that evening, we took our places with the flags. 

Missy B stood next to her new friend ready to honor the Great Men of our country. 

Because all of these 40 or so gentlemen were all in wheelchairs, it took another hour before they arrived at our location. 30 minutes prior to their arrival, the girls started getting extremely tired. It was nearly 10pm and they were tired and cold. I took them just inside the entryway of the airport where I encouraged them to lie down and place their heads on my lap. I rubbed their backs and sang quietly to them. 

Just as these girls were relaxed and ready to doze, I look over to see dozens of elderly gentlemen being wheeled down the corridor by their escorts. Nudging the girls I told them, "Girls, look! This is it! This is what you have been waiting all day for!" I pointed towards the crowd coming towards us. I said to them, "Girls, I know you're tired and cold, but let's go get our flags ready and show these men how grateful you are for their service. Shine your smiles at them and show the your gratitude! You can do this!" Missy B's young friend cried that her legs hurt and I offered for her to stand with her mother, also a rider holding a flag. No, she wanted to be with her pal. The three of us went to our designated area and got our flags. 

The girls took their flags and got ready. I told my daughter, "B, you think of your great-grandpa Berry (my maternal grandfather, still living) and you think of our great-uncle Dale (his brother who has passed away). Some of these men may have served with them. You take all your love for Grandpa and Uncle Dale and you give it to these men. Show them you love them and let them know how grateful you are for their service, for giving us our freedom!" Missy B's tender heart broke as she misses her Uncle Dale greatly. She had a special bond with him. As I dried her tears and hugged her, she put on her "warrior face" and prepared to greet these great heroes of our nation.

One by one, these gentlemen were wheeled past us. As they came by the girls, these precious young ladies stood tall to salute every one of them. Then, they reached out their hands to shake the hands of heroes and said, "Thank you for your service." One by one, these frail men broke down in tears, taking those small hands in theirs. As they passed by me, I would bend down to them, taking their hand and thanked them. Some of them broke down weeping thanking us for the honor we gave them that night. Some of them wept so hard that I hugged them and kissed their beautiful, wrinkly cheeks. Our hands clasped those that were missing fingers, crippled with arthritis, or had major burn damage. It literally pained them to shake our hands, but they did it anyway, because it connected us as human beings. 

Afterward, the men were bused to the Fair Grounds where a big ceremony was held in their honor. Missy B needed to get home, since it was after 11:30 pm by this point, but I know they were adored by the hundreds of people waiting for them.

Being there to honor our Defenders of Liberty was one of the highlights of my life. It was a sacred experience as we paid our respects to these incredible men, who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. I am grateful to know the Utah Patriot Guard and have my daughter be an official member. It brings tears to my eyes that we are able to show our love to the true heroes of liberty. God bless our military. We salute you. 

Guarding Liberty-

Mama Dragon