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

You are my Sunshine, Even in the Rain

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the rain. Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, we had dry weather much of the year. When Monsoon season started, though, there was nothing I wanted to do more than sit on the front patio with my daddy, enjoying the lightening, thunder, and rain. I love the smell. I love the moisture it brings. I love that it waters the plants that are a vital part of our existence. I love that rain washes away the pollution, dirt, and grime and makes everything new again. I love the rain. 

The sun always breaks forth through the
darkness (unedited)

One of my favorite memories is going along the curbside and finding the worms. They seemed to magically appear every time it would rain. It was as if they, too, wanted to celebrate the newness of the earth. In the summer, I would put on my swimming suit (if I ever changed out of it in the first place, since I was an avid swimmer), and play in the rain with my friends. It was such a refreshing treat after so many days of 110+ degrees (F). When monsoon came, the world was made perfect again. 

The past couple of weeks, we have had a lot of rainfall at our home, which we are extremely grateful. Nearby are many farms that desperately need to be watered. Since the mountainous snow levels were very low this year, the rain is heaven sent. 

Coming home from visiting a friend, I noticed the many puddles waiting to be utilized. The rain had just stopped, the sun was starting to peak out, and it was the perfect temperature to take a walk. Upon entering our home, I invited my daughter (now 8) to come on a walk with me. I told her, "I need to walk around the neighborhood and take items back to some people. Would you like to come and go puddle jumping with me along the way?" My daughter, ever the adventurous, outdoor spirit, ran to get ready: she just needed to find her flip flops. Hand in hand we set out to find puddles of goodness just waiting for us to jump into. 

It was not long before the flipflops came off her feet and we found a puddle. 

There was a gentleman (about age 30 and perhaps a young father) who was leaving a home where he had just serviced their lawn. Acting as if we were conducting everyday business, Missy B and I discovered a nice, large puddle in the middle of the street. We stood at the edge, held hands and loudly said, "One, two, three, JUMP!" In we went. It was a GREAT splash! The man had stopped what he was doing to observe. As our pants were covered in water up to our knees, Missy B and I laughed aloud, smiled and nodded at the man, then went on our merrily way. His return grin was huge and full of joy. I hope that memory leaves an impression with him to take time and make memories with your children. It is one of Life's greatest gifts! 

I loved watching her jump in, get wet, and laugh as we walked on to find the next puddle awaiting our presence. I finally stopped jumping in to take some pictures of her. I have learned that photos are also one of Life's most precious gifts. 

After darkness always comes the light. It is always there if you just look for it. While others were dismal at rain coming night and day for quite some time, we chose to found the sunshine among the rain. 

The look on her face when she would splash, the beauty that surrounded us, the birds chirping, the sun shining- we made an ordinary walk an extraordinary experience. How grateful we are for the rain!

You do not have to just see butterflies or flowers to find beauty in this world. Just look at the world through the eyes of a child and it is a wonderful place to be. 

Making memories-
Mama Dragon

Serving Grandpa

Many, many years ago my husband's third great-grandfather, Milo Andrus, was one of the first people to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. He had a nice home that was located in Salt Lake. That home was later relocated to the local "This is the Place" state park across from Hogle Zoo. On April 11th, our family (minus one who had to work) joined cousins from all over to honor our grandfather and do a nice spring cleaning of the home. It was a fun time as we came together to meet cousins we already knew (as in first cousins) and cousins that were old enough to be my own grandparents so we could spend a day in service. 

Windows were washed, benches painted, fences mended and stained, leaves raked, weeds pulled.... the list goes on and on. It was a great time in a beautiful setting up on the mountainside. 

I especially loved seeing my kids, who are the older grandkids, having quality bonding time with their younger cousins while their parents (brother and sister) laugh. 

What is especially fun about this park is that 21 years ago, I met my husband's (then friend) extended family here for the first time at a reunion. We stood in front of the Milo Andrus house and took a picture together. As soon as I can find it, I will post it. For now, here is one of us 21 years later, married and very in love. 

Perhaps my favorite part of this outing was seeing my little girl connect to her roots. She absolutely loves family history! To sit and look out a window where her grandfather probably looked out as he tucked his kids to sleep 150 years earlier, was a very special moment. She also made great friends with the sweet "pioneer" tour guide who was very kind and really enjoyed assisting our family on this project. 

Finding service projects your family can do together is not hard and it is so very worth the memories. Thank you, Grandpa Andrus, for providing this opportunity to give back all you gave to us. We hope you like your home!

Making memories,
Mama Dragon