Honoring our Father and Papa

This is probably my sixth attempt to write about the passing of my father-in-law.

 I don't know how to convey the tender experience 

that these past few weeks have been for me.  I wish I was a gifted writer.

Our family was overwhelmed with all the kind phone calls, letters, notes on the door,

flowers, treats, texts and visits.   

It really made this such a sweet experience for our family to be thought of.

Sorrow was overpowered with Gratitude.

Ross went in a beautiful way.  

He was at home, surrounded by lots of love, family and singing.

 He loved hearing his children and grandchildren sing.

On one night when he was not doing well, the Ashby boys came and sang hymn after hymn

to him.  Ross awakened enough to mouth some of the words.

He went peacefully on March 2nd in the late afternoon.

The night after his death, the children and spouses met with Anita 

to make the necessary decisions and arrangements.  We got our assignments. 

I got the chance to gather photos and make a video of his life.

It was a special experience for me to be immersed in photos of his life and with the people he loved.

Funeral Program

(Thanks to Allison Jones for putting this together)

(This bottom portion was an insert)

The grandchildren and great-grandchildren each made a scrapbook page 

about Papa.  I loved this idea because it gave the kids a way to honor him.

  They were displayed at the viewing and funeral.

The Viewing 

was held the night before the funeral at Ross and Anita's stake center.

Prior to the public viewing, we had an hour together with just the family.  

It was so nice to see so many friends and extended family that night.

Tom and I came home full of gratitude for all the support.

The Funeral

Before the funeral, I snuck into the room where the men were practicing their song.  

Tom and my brother-in-law Fred Ashby sang with all the grandsons that are 18 and older.

I don't think I have ever heard anything more beautiful.  

"Go Ye Now in Peace" 

I still keep singing parts of this song in my head.  

I love that Parker wore one of Ross's ties.

As we left the church it began to rain.  

When we arrived at the graveside the rain stopped and 

the dark clouds opened up to let a little sunlight through. 

The contrast was fitting of this whole experience. 

I felt Ross there with us.

Anita asked that each person grab a rose off the casket to remember this day.

12 children with my beautiful mother-in-law.

Ross,

We will always love and remember what you taught us.

'Til we meet again.

February

Scattered Highlights of February


This guy turned 17.  

He is still golden in my eyes.

I just  have about 18 months until he flies the nest....makes me teary.
So Tom and I are making a list of the things we want to
experience together as a family before his departure.

We had a little celebration with some of his best buddies.

I really like these kids and am so grateful for the good influence they have had on Cole.

This motley crew won our church basketball tournament.  

Goof balls but talented.

Unusual weather

 We actually had a short snowfall...big big deal here.

Everyone was out of their houses and enjoying it in the street.
I think I can count on one hand the times it has snowed in my lifetime.

I couldn't capture the snow falling very well but I did grab a shot of the 

double rainbow that lit up the sky.
I think rainbows are amazing.

Isaac was asked to host the Bishop's single sisters dinner again.  

He really wanted to get a suit and find some good jokes to tell.

We found the suit and went to his grandpa for some jokes. 

My father-in-law is a talented joke teller. 

Getting back to Cole...

Cole went on a rodeo date with some of his cousins.
It was held down at a farm in Lehi.
They set up a few (highly entertaining) competitions.

 Cole took Kate Clifford and she was an A+ competitor

 This poor goat had some $ mula strapped to his back....

 and then the wolves were let loose.

there was also a chicken thrown in the mix

Egg toss

Blah!

 You were a great sport Kate..and now you smell like yolk.

This poor, greased-up, squealing pig was the finale.
I have never heard a pig protest more loudly.  It was sad and funny all at the same time. 

(Note: no animals were harmed during this date)

My father-in-law was diagnosed with acute leukemia in February.

It was a hard diagnosis for the family to hear.  We love this man so much.

This picture was taken on February 19, a day I will never forget.

 I came over to the house in the morning to record him 

for a video we were doing for Azbrainfood.   

He was back in his room throwing up when I arrived. 

 His health and strength had been rapidly declining.

I kept my laptop and microphone packed up and just planned to do it another day.

Next thing I know he is shuffling down the hall--ready to do what we had planned.

He read a quote by Teddy Roosevelt entitled "The Man in the Arena" perfectly. 

I realized my computer had not recorded it.  

We tried again.  

He read it perfectly- 

 the recording prematurely stopped AGAIN.

I was sick.  

I said a little prayer, restarted my computer program and he happily began for the third time.

It worked and I am so grateful.

The teenagers had Mama's Manners Night  planned for the end of February, 

 but with Papa so sick, they just came over for a short visit.

Anita and Ross both shared their testimonies and they all sang a couple of songs together.

This night marked the last week they would have with their Papa.