My One and Only

My Father's Other Life

This is a photo of Virginia Driggs Clark, my father's first wife who died of breast cancer. I am anxious to meet her some day. I have read many of her writings before she died. I was not only impressed with her great testimony and courage in the face of death but also her optimism. She left behind five children, two of whom were very young. It changed everyone's life because of her death, especially mine. Below is a story written by Carol when my father was principal in a very small town in Arizona.

THE NEW FLOORS!

Finally we have the new battery for the camera so here are the much requested photos of the new floor. Ben is fixing lunch on the new stove. Kurt painted these chair bright green to temporarily tide us over until we move.


Here is a view of the former piano room with our new Fidalis painting.


We moved the piano into the living since there isn't a lot of furniture in this room now. It looks nice with the black furniture.

....and baby makes three!

It is like Adam and Eve behind the plants. Congrats to Ashley and Brian!

Holding Babies

One of the best things of this picture is the parallel angle of Hazel and Azure, well and of course their wonderful mothers. A couple of days ago someone said they hoped they could learn what they needed to learn from their trial. I hear people say that all the time. How do you know what you should learn? If we knew maybe we wouldn't have to go through so much. This is what I think. First, you never learn enough so don't worry. Just smile and hold those babies because they don't let you hold them forever. And look straight ahead.

Tiny Hooked Mother II

Here is the second tiny mother. She is excited about Ashley and Brian's new addition, I'm sure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY!

This photo was from a blustery day in Provo, after my mother's funeral. It is rare that we take father/daughter photos these days so I especially love this one. Katy was wisely old before her time, especially sensitive to what was right and wrong, despite tricking and teasing Ann now and then. She arrived a week late with two knots in the umbilical cord. With two sisters waiting in the wings for her she had a great welcoming committee! I don't know how my mother got away from taking care of my dad since he had just had a major stroke but she came down with Lark for a few days and that was heaven for me to have them there. Thanks Katy for continuing help me with the right and wrong part of life! Love you lots!

Red Chair

This is our latest estate sale find. Isn't it great! It was only $10. On the bottom it is stamped,

"January 1951." The company is Meier and Pohlman Furniture from St. Louis, MO. I can't seem to find out much about it but it is in good condition!

Talkin' 'bout my girls!

Can you tell we are sweating? Yes, Jordan, one day this will be you and Lucy and all those other girls in your future!

Multiply and Replenish

It again has been a holy, messy week. A trip to the ER to stop the horrible pain Kurt was having from his fall down the stairs was truly messy but the holy came as blessings were poured out on us in many forms. Some were from prayers, my sister Lynn bringing everything imaginable for comfort (especially Hagen-daz Bars), priesthood blessings, the joy of grandchildren, our own children coming to rescue us in the middle of the night or simply cleaning up the kitchen and helping pick the apricots. It is hard to raise children, really the hardest job on earth. But as I watched our own children gathered around us in support and love I couldn't image life without them. Most of all I couldn't image life without their father. He is a strong person and whirls around my life in constant movement, bringing with him so much joy and beauty. So to have him stop, stopped me too. I'm glad the motion is back!

Heaven in Happy Valley

The above picture is a bit of heaven for me. Ann's wedding was last weekend and we were all together as a family for the first time in almost six years. Jordan's husband, Craig, surprised us all when he showed up ten minutes before the ceremony, driving all night to be there. He made us complete! Who knows when this gathering will take place again. A quick photo and everyone is gone back to their nests. Thank you to all for coming and making heaven a bit closer.

Drawing of Megan

Megan and Jacob started dating when I was taking my figure drawing class. She has such a beautiful face. She allowed me to take pictures of her so I could make drawings of her throughout the semester. They don't really look like her or do her justice but I loved studying her face.

Weddings of the Past

My mother got married quickly because it was during the war and her husband, Art Gilbert couldn't get a job at the high school as the football coach unless he was married. She had no wedding dress, reception, honeymoon, fancy presents or any kind of hoopla. I think she was always sad about that. But I think my favorite part of this story is that later on, her younger sister, Bobette--the bride in the above picture, had the whole hoopla. Mother never once expressed any sort of jealousy or resentment toward Bobette, getting all the fun things she missed as a young bride. I loved her for that. I think that was one of her best qualities--the ability to accept life as it came and move on without feeling sorry for herself. And then not resent others for having what she didn't. Una, the first one on the right, sewed a lot of the brides dresses and sewed Bobette's wedding dress. Don't you love the flowers at the waist? Mother is the third one in on the right.

Mother Images

I love this photo. It was taken when my mother was only a teenager but she looks so more mature than that. How she loved clothes. You can tell just from this photo because she has a matching bow in her hair. Someone must have made this outfit for that to happen. Una, her sister, was evidently an amazing seamstress and sewed all the time for her sisters. I hope mother shows up for Ann's wedding.

Tiny Hooked Mother I

These hooked mother images are so much smaller than my hooked rugs. It becomes so intimate. I can cradle the whole image in my hand as I work. I am enjoying the change from six feet to just inches. They finish up so much more quickly. I wonder about size and the different statements that makes. With my rugs you need to step back but with these images they draw you close. Maybe that is what I am doing, trying to see my mother better, closer. Am I trying to understand where I came from?