Mom's Story -- Special People in our Lives

Mom’s Story

Special People in Our Life 

Eva Long  was a beautiful little eight year old Indian girl from Kayenta.  The Indian placement program was in full swing and Bill and I decided we would participate.  What a blessing that decision was for us.  Eva came to live with us during the school year, then returned to her Indian family in the summer.  I shall always remember the ride back from Mesa after picking her up the first time at the Stake Center.  Our girls, MaryAnn, two weeks older than Eva, and Christine, a year and a half younger, chattered all the way home trying to make the frightened little Lamanite feel at home, but I saw the tear roll down her little brown face in utter loneliness.  How hard that must have been for her and her mother.  However, we learned to love her dearly and the ten years she stayed with us cemented our love for her eternally. 

She started in the third grade and stayed with us until she graduated from High School.  We never discriminated; whatever our girls received, she received.  She was a member of the family. 

            Another adopted member of our family was Ivan Frazier, a new music teacher, who needed a place to stay.  We opened our basement bedroom for him and our hearts to him.  He was a brilliant young man and an extremely talented musician.  A few years previously I had bought a new Chickering Baby Grand Piano and he broke it in for us.  I loved his music, and his sense of humor.  He could see the funny side in everything.  He helped the girls with their musical instruments – Mary Ann with her violin and Christine with the viola.  Christine hated viola because she had such boring parts and she complained constantly to Ivan.  He adored her.  One day she said to Ivan:  “Ivan, will you tell those trombones to quit blowing their spit all over me?”  Ivan went into peels of laughter.  Ivan stayed with us five years and participated in many  of our family functions, even going to Hawaii with us. 

For Mother’s 80^th birthday Ivan helped me prepare eight beautiful new songs which I sang during the afternoon of her reception.  That was my gift to my dear Mother.  There were over 300 guests who came to greet Mother for that occasion.  I had prepared a little brochure of her life called “Leaves from Mother’s Journal.” 

            After a two year mission in the Northern Indian Mission with headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jim returned home in September 1966, just in time for him to enroll at BYU.  We were proud of our good son.  Every achievement in his life thus far he has set his mind to, he has attained;  Eagle Scout, Duty to God, Mission, College, M.B.A., and C.P.A.

            Another idea had been turning around in my head and after talking to Steve Clayton, High School Principal, and Dick Betts, the manager of the Paper Mill, we decided to make a try for it.  That idea was to have an Olympic size swimming pool for Snowflake.  There had been numerous drownings around the country and the Scouts had to go either to Flagstaff or Mesa to get their life-saving merit badges.  Nearly everyone in Town could see the need for a recreational facility such as this.  So, by enlisting every segment and club in Town, we put the project over.  It was an immense sum of money but we had the best brains in Town to help us put it over.  President John Taylor was our legal council, Steve Clayton and Bob Hancock were our financial brains, Dick Betts and myself were the “push” and the “drive.”  It was a great committee.  Hundreds of good people have furnished so much energy for the project over the years.  It has been beset with numerous problems, but despite the problems it has been such a fine facility that I have never once felt sorry we went ahead with it.  The school is now the owner with the Town participating during the summer months.  Finally, after all these years it looks like it will be in “safe” hands. 

            Cherilyn Smith won the Miss Navajo County pageant in 1967 and that was a boost for Snowflake, the first time a girl from Snowflake had won.  To help her get the clothes she needed I spear-headed a fashion show and an afternoon reception in her honor.  The proceeds all went to her.  She was radiant and went on the the State contest confidently.  Later she won the Miss Navajo County contest again.