It’s hard to believe how fast last year went. I was talking to my Mother-In-Law Berna Deane and we both agree the older you get the faster time seems to go. When I was in High School, the only time that moved that fast was summer vacation. In the past, I have written what my New Year’s resolutions were going to be. This week, I would like to reflect about a few things that happened during this past year.
1. Cassidy started college!
Remember when I said how time seems to be going by much faster? It’s hard to believe that little kid who was riding in a car seat in the back of the Tahoe playing patty-cake with Shannon is now a college student. She is studying to be an Ultra-Sound technician and we are all very proud of her. She is going to Dixie State University in St. George which is an excellent place for G-Pa to visit her this winter!
2. New donations
I want to thank some very special people for their donations. I want to thank Doug Swanson & Cody Thomas for selecting the Foundation for the Run for the Cure Event. It was so much fun and rewarding. I need to thank Terri Garcia and the Naval Nuclear Labs for their generous donation and a great dinner at Snow Eagle. I want to thank Sarah Smith and the Leadore Mustang’s girls’ volleyball team for selecting the Foundation for their fundraiser. I especially want to thank them for inviting me out to the school so they could present it to me in person. They are such an amazing and inspiring group of young ladies. And I need to thank 13 year old Alyra Sorenson and the generous people and business’s that donated to her 4H project. When I met with them at Teton Cancer Institute to receive the check, they told me her project was raising three Rex Rabbits for the livestock auction. They explained that normally rabbits like that would bring around $150-$200. They showed me the video of the auction and the auctioneer started by telling everyone she was raising the money to help local cancer patients. The rabbits sold for $550. Then the auctioneer asked the crowd if anyone else would like to donate to her fundraiser. I didn’t really know what I thought the amount would be, but I can honestly tell you I was not prepared for it to be over $3,000! I couldn’t help but cry some heartfelt tears of joy when they handed me the check. I still don’t have the words to explain the deep amount of warmth and love I felt at that moment. I am so grateful to Alyra and her family. These were just a few examples of the generosity of our community and I want to let everyone know how grateful I am for all your donations to the Foundation. I am truly blessed to know so many charitable and wonderful people.
3. New Chapters
If you read last weeks’ story, you know about the loved ones in my life that left us to start their new chapter of service to our Heavenly Father. It’s hard to not think of them and miss them. I find myself reflecting on the times we had together and wish I could talk with them one last time and let them know how much they mean to me. But then I realize I can still let them know how grateful I am for what they have done for me, and how much I love them. As I start this new year, I am grateful for the inspiration and strength I know they will always be there to give me. I will use their examples of faith and compassion to direct and guide me throughout this coming year and always.
I want to wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year. Thanks for reading.
Next week: Tri-Cities trip 2020