Mom's Story - Final

Mom’s Story- Final

           

My activities in the community were too numerous to mention:  I served as President of the Snowflake Woman’s Club that year, I was involved in numerous committees for the Bicentennial celebrations, The Liberty Belles were in full swing and I was a member of that group; The Historical Society was active with many projects for them; The Smith Family asked me to serve as their President and we had a big Book project going… and on and on.  I loved everything I did, but there were hardly enough hours in the day to accomplish the many tasks.  One project we accomplished during this Bicentennial year that I was proud of, was that of planting 65 Honey Locust trees around the Memorial Home and up and down the street on Hulet besides up in Highland Park.  The work was done by some Boy Scouts with my aid.  Those trees are beautiful today and a nice reminder of our efforts.

            Christine finished three years at the “Y” with an Associate Degree in Interior Design.  Then she married James L. Smith from Farmington, New Mexico.  James, a dashing, handsome spirited boy with a keen mind and quick intellect was Christine’s idol.  Christine was my beauty, my joy, my spiritual tower of strength, and my artistic one.  She could challenge such a man.  They were married in the Arizona Temple June 12, 1979.  Little Cameron arrived on the scene a year and a half later, October 21, 1980.  What a joy the grandchildren are – all seven. 

Trips

            After Grandma Ericksen died in November 1976, Bill and I felt we had been relieved of a heavy burden, and were free.  We decided to take some hard-earned money and take a little trip to Mexico over an Easter Vacation (1977).  That was a lovely trip and even though we didn’t go on a tour, but rather on our own, we felt it was a great trip.  We had just finished reading the Book of Mormon, so seeing those magnificent Mayan ruins, brought the Book of Mormon to life for us.  Our travels took us to the far end of the Yucatan peninsula.  It was a glorious trip for us. 

           

Another little trip I took about this time was to Nauvoo for the dedication of the Monuments to Women.  Mayola had worked so closely with the Church wide project that it meant a lot to me to go and be a part of this historic dedication.  I took Christine with me, taking the Amtrak train out but flew back.  It was hot and sticky and we worked hard, but I’ll always remember that trip.

           

Snowflake celebrated its centennial year in July of 1978, and of course I was completely involved in that, having the responsibility of the advertisement.  What an effort Snowflake put forth to clean up and brighten up the Town.  To tell all the details of my activities during this time would be too much, but the highlight of the event was the visit of President Spencer W. Kimball.  The committee in charge of the celebration of which I was a part, honored me by asking me to be a speaker for the program.  Imagine my anxiety speaking on the same program as President Kimball!  But again, the Lord blessed me and helped me to be calm and peaceful.

            Christine spent one semester in Hawaii at the BYU college there.  So, for Thanksgiving of that year, 1978, we flew to Hawaii for a week’s vacation and to be with her.  Scully, my brother gave us the royal treatment – taking us to many of the beautiful outer islands I hadn’t seen before. 

            Also, Bill and I had a lovely trip to Toronto, Canada for a Dental meeting.  It was in the fall of the year 1977.  The leaves were just beginning to turn and the countryside was alive with color.  We visited Niagara Falls also.  As this was part of his old mission field, it was like a sentimental journey to go back there for him. 

            I have had a wonderful life thus far.  The Lord has blessed me abundantly.  I love the Lord and have tried to show my appreciation of His blessings to me, by my service to Him and my fellowmen.  Last Spring, May 1981, in my sixty-second year, I retired from the school as Librarian, after twelve years.  I now am looking for new mountains to climb, and new challenges as I begin this phase of my life.  My philosophy of life can be summed up by the words of the song, “I Love Life.”

I Love Life

I love life and I want to live

And drink of life’s fullness,

Take all it can give;

I love life, Every moment must count,

To glory in its sunshine,

And revel in its fount;

I love life, I want to live, I love life.

I love life,

It holds me in its sway,

My heart hears it, Music,

A melody gladsome and gay.

I love life, I’ll have none of Worldly strive

Oh but to live for to love!

I love life, so I want to live,

And drink of life’s fullness,

Take all it can give;

I love life, Every moment must count,

To glory in its sunshine,

And revel in its fount;

I love life, I want to live,

 I love life!