Honoring and Remembering

As the sun comes up on Memorial Day 2012

The Veteran's are honored at a Memorial Day program held at Larkin Mortuary.  

 A Military Medley was sung, while the Veteran's stand during their anthem.  

 Off we go into the wild blue yonder climbing high into the sun;

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, at 'em boys, giv'er the gun!

Down we dive spouting our flames from under,

Off with one heck-uv-a roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame,

Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!

 A musical tribute by the pipe band.

 A Three round Volley/Taps

Many stop by to say Thank You.  

A special Thank You from Congressman Jim Matheson, 2nd Congressional District of Utah

 Then FOX NEWS wanted an interview!  

(Excerpts were shown on the 5:00 and the 9:00 News) 

 If they show up online tomorrow I'll forward them to family. 

Family members arrived to remember David.  

Everyone was invited to pick a pinwheel and share a memory of David.  

If you look close you can see the engraving of David's Castle on his headstone.  

Next was the procession to Wasatch Lawn.  

Grandpa told about a man he met this week at the retirement home that asked him if he knew a Fern Bodell.  Grandpa said, "Yes, that is my mother."  The man went on to tell that she had been his 6th grade teacher and what a wonderful teacher she was."

Grandpa sat next to Mom's burial spot, right on top of his spot.  

telling all the great grandkids, 

that next year they could visit him there, 

or that he would be there telling them the same stories. 

It was the first time back for many of us 

that brought back the sweet memories of our dear 

Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother.  

Grandpa (pointing to Grandma's grave) :  "All of these kids are because of You."  

Our Cousin James resting place in not close enough for all of us to visit 

but we want Dan Polly Crystal Seth and Jena 

to know we think of all of you and him on this Memorial Day.  

Next stop:  

The very first KFC in the world on State Street and 3900 South.  

Mmmm, Finger Lickin' Good!  

Chicken for 35, Please.  

 Then tables and chairs set up in the Bodell Construction Company Garage 

made for a perfect Memorial Day Picnic.

Add watermelon, cold drinks, and Jimae's specialty lemon bars and 

carmel chocolate squares that melt in your mouth.

Then All Aboard!

 Milo and Brigham's very first train ride.  

Brigham couldn't stop grinning.

 A few parents decided to jog along side to watch the youngest ones on their first maiden ride.  

The 80 year old car was polished up for the event.  

 But Grandpa couldn't help sneaking a peek underneath with Jared to see why it wouldn't start.  

Any car enthusiasts are welcome to bring along their tools and work along side Grandpa to get it going before next Memorial Day.  

Next year we will add canoe and boat rides down the Jordan River.  

And as the sun began to set

I made the trek alone 

uptown 

to remember 

one more loved one.  

We will always remember....

A New Home Sweet Home

Saturday May 12
Kriss and Ed came to visit Grandpa Jim while Mike and Roxanne were out of town for a few days.  Grandpa has so enjoyed the loving care that everyone has given him.  Roxanne has spoiled him.  But he is alone much of the days and has been lonely since Grandma has "gone on ahead to get their new home ready."   So Kriss talked to him and he agreed that if he was strong and healthy enough that if he was ever going to live in a Senior Independent or assisted living situation now would be the time to do it.   They visited a few with one having bedroom "as big as a ballroom" coming from the man who has just lived the last 18 months in a 12 by 14 square foot room.

But then they visited a center just over a mile from Jimae's home. 
http://www.atriaseniorliving.com/atria-sandy-ut.aspx?CommunityNumber=10278   

Atria is best known for their Chef who cooks from 7:00 in the morning straight through until 7:00 in the evening.  Grandpa's mouth began to water after what he has had to eat the past year.  They visited a few rooms, one was a model room to show you what it could look like.  He wanted that room, but they only charge an extra $10,000 to have it furnished, so we decided we would do it ourselves.  Now remember this is from a man that he and his wife divided and deeded most of their earthly belongings to children, grandchildren and strangers over five years ago when they began living with children.  They didn't even have a fork or a dishcloth.  Now we have one week to furnish a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.  Dad was a bit nervous and decided that he wanted it all to be a surprise and would leave it all up to the children to choose everything.   He wanted everything to be new and light colored and look like a new model home to start this new, no matter how short chapter in his life.  We told him if he doesn't like it he can move out at any time.  What courage this all takes at almost 89 years old.  

Jimae, Kriss and Pam all met at RC Willey and found the perfect small strong masculine light colored chairs with an ottoman and then we were off and running trying to match the rest of the needs to those colors.  Mike just happened to call Kriss and she announced the news that Mike and Roxanne would be losing their houseguest.  Roxanne was going to be so sad to see him leave so soon.  I want to thank Mike and Roxanne, especially Roxanne, for the wonderful home that  they opened their doors to Grandpa and he absolutely loved being there with both of them.  Then Jimae and Kriss both left town leaving the charge card with Pam to "shop 'til she dropped."

MOVE IN DAY
Saturday, May 19. Mike, Mark, and Dan arrived with trucks full of items that had to be assembled from Tim's donated electric bed, to new TV cabinets and bookshelves they picked up from IKEA.  Mike brought everything from his house that Grandpa has been using the past two months. Roxanne, Ashley, and Mike Jr helped move all of that in and get it unpacked and on shelves and drawers.

Lauren, Rick, and Spencer helped unload an Explorer full of towels, bedding, pillows, frames, silverware, soaps, dishes, hangers, hampers, storage bins, and all kinds of accessories of many different colors and styles from many different stores so that Pam and Jimae could decide what looked best when it was all put together. Laura, Rachel and Brandy were making plaques and a matching magnet board. Furniture finally arrived at 4:00.      Jimae and Pam arrived after a full day of Craftapolooza  to finish what Uncle Mike called "the woman's touch" and we only had one hour until Grandpa was showing up to see his new home.

Grandpa was very nervous when he entered the building Saturday evening.    We took him up to his new apartment.  There is a ledge on the wall just by the door where we had four pictures placed so other residents know who lives there.  There is one of Grandpa and Grandma at the ranch.  He sweetly smiled at her and tears came to his eyes.  Then we opened the door and upon entering he was warmed by what we had been able to do with this small "cosy" space in just one day.  We gave him a quick tour of where things were, explaining that we have a few more pictures for two of the blank walls that we will get up this week.    He sat down on his new electric recliner that literally pushes him up out of the seat.  Then that look of a deer in the headlights as he  teary eyed thought we were just going to quickly desert him there alone, saying that he hasn't been alone at night without Grandma or one of his children or grandchildren for many many years.  

Dan, Jimae, and I assured him we weren't rushing off quite yet and took  him downstairs to the dining room, making it down just minutes before they closed. Dan and Grandpa got the last two pork chops with dressing of the day. Jimae then left, and Dan and I went back up to hang the last of the pictures on the walls.  At the door he stopped a moment before going through the door, this time lightly touching the picture of Grandma, and said something quietly to her.  It was a sweet connecting of their past-- and  going to take a touch of her with him as he enters his new future.  

After the last nail was pounded in and pictures hung,  Grandpa asked that Dan and I have a prayer and a dedication of his new home with him before we left.  He prayed for peace and love to be within the walls of his new home, and that where-ever Mom is and whatever she is doing that at times she might be there close to him.     Upon saying Amen, he gained the strength he was praying for.  He smiled and seemed more at ease.  He knows that the Lord wants for him to find that peace and happiness that is promised to each of us.

Grandpa was up early Sunday morning to attend his 3 hours of church services less than 20 yards from his front door, then had a wonderful Sunday brunch with Dan.  

Atria has a Veteran's Hall you will need to visit and hunt for one of the frames that will be honoring our dear Father and Grandfather.

Please stop by and visit Grandpa Jim when you are in the area or drop him a card or letter to this address.   10970 South 700 East   Room IL223  Sandy, UT  84070

Saying Goodbye to My Mother

The Beginning of Another Beautiful Day

(My last picture with Mom.  December 2011)

March 19, 2012  Monday 

My dear Mom passed away this afternoon.  It has been a very long day and a very long few years.  But she is finally at peace and is dancing and singing once again.  

Yes we were given warning on Saturday evening.  She hadn't been able to eat or drink anything for three days.  She slowly starved to death over the past year.  She just couldn't swallow much.  She has been on hospice for 3 1/2 years.    

I had about an hour alone with her and Dad on Sunday afternoon. They had told Dad that it was getting close, which they had done two other times in the past 6 months.  Jimae had gone to check on her Saturday evening and didn’t see much difference.  But if it was, I wanted to be with her one more time. While I was there I laid on the bed by her so I could see her face.  I held her hand.  She opened her eyes and spoke love to me through them for about 20 minutes.  I know now that she was telling me good-bye.  I spoke to her and told her how much I loved her.  I softly sang Tura Lura Lura to her while I tried to tell her to rest, to sleep, after she had been awake that long.  But she was running a fever and her hands were as hot as a heating pad, and heavy labored breathing.    Dad said she hadn't been awake that long for days.  I kissed her good-bye, then left for home not knowing how long it would be. 

Dad had asked me to send an email to everyone that we would have a fast on Wednesday.  We were to pray that "when Heaven was ready for Mom, that Dad was ready to let her go".   But just knowing that he was ready to let her go, the prayers by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren across the nation were enough.  Mom passed away Monday just after noon.  Prayers are answered.  

Dad called me early Monday morning and said he felt it was close. Jimae talked to the center nurse and hospice nurse and they both thought we had just a few hours.  I called Ed.  Kriss was with him.  They wanted to get on a plane and come, but that we weren’t to use oxygen to make Mom suffer any longer.  When I got there Jimae, Mike, and Mark had already arrived.  Dan had gone to Nevada and turned around to come home.  Dixie was hours away in St George.  Mom looked totally different from the night before.  Her eyes were open, half slits, not blinking anymore, with loud heavy raspy breathing.  They said she had pneumonia. 

Various grandchildren came and went throughout the morning.  We played some of Mom’s favorite musicals and love songs from the 40’s while the four of us packed up their belongings. Dad sat by her bedside, holding her hand.  Maybe it was a bit irreverent to be doing but that was want Dad wanted.  And Mom wasn’t ready to go yet.   It was a Bodell Get-to-gether and Mom didn't want to miss the last one.  I also thought that Mom was waiting around for Aunt Maurine to finish getting the reunion planned on the other side. 

The pictures and holiday decorations of their life from the past year and a half were safely packed away.  The hospice nurse had given Mom morphine for the pain and something to dry up the secretions so her breathing was more peaceful.  The last few boxes were packed and pushed into the hallway.  As if by inspiration, a reverent feeling covered the room. The hospice harp player arrived for her weekly visit, as if on cue, and played soft music for a half hour as the last boxes were loaded in cars and truck. The room was now pure and clean. We were prepared for the final chapter to begin.  Laura and Cristina, granddaughters, arrived and sang some hymns.  Dad then gave her a beautiful blessing--sealing her up to heaven, then within an hour we watched her take her last breath, all of us watching the rise and fall of her chest. The hospice nurse stood in a corner, to watch and tell us when it was happening.  Dad held her tightly in his arms, quietly telling her in her ear, “goodbye...go to your Mom and Dad, go to your grandsons, and go to your brothers and sisters” who had all gone on before her. She loved reunions and this had to be one of the best reunions ever.  

As my Mom left us and this earthly life I was laying on the bed on the other side of her, touching her, my hand gently on her shoulder and trying to feel every breathe she took, knowing that each one may be her last. And when she took that last breathe, all of us almost stopped breathing too.  There was silence.  Then after about 15 seconds she took just three more short breaths, then Mom was gone.  I literally felt my Mom rise.  It was a feeling I hope never to forget and always be able to testify of.  I felt it.  She was there and then she had risen.  

On this Easter morning, three weeks after Mom’s passing, I wanted to write this, to engrave it in my memory.  And in a blink of an eye, there was a powerful spirit that entered the room and our hearts.  I felt it.  The Holy Ghost, testified to me again of his comforting spirit.  He was there--to bring us peace.  A peace that has stayed with us the past three weeks.  He is real.  He too, testifies to us of where Mom is, and that we can one day be together again.  I pray and look forward to the happiness of that beautiful day when I will see my mother again. 

After Mom passed we spent some time with her, not knowing what to do next.   Kriss arrived just about five minutes after Mom passed.  Dad went to say a few short farewells to friends and aides that had cared for them.  We then gathered back in the room surrounding the bed.  We sang “Love at Home” then Dad gave a prayer of gratitude for our loving wife and mother and a blessing upon each of us.   Then because everything was "prepared", Dad was able to walk out with all the rest of us.  Mom’s physical body was prepared and laid upon the stretcher.  We all walked down the long hallway together.  And for the first time in over 70 years, Mother and Father’s paths went two different ways.  Mom to go prepare their new heavenly home, and Dad to finish the “work” he had to do in this life.  We all walked out, not looking back.  Last night was the first night in so many years Dad didn't need to worry about Mom.  He knew she was in the best place she could be.  What a great testimony of eternal love they have been to all of us. 

Mother was buried with her poetry book, with a pair of red high heeled shoes (she had always wanted a pair), a pair of beautiful new white tap shoes, and her’s and Dad’s book of love letters they wrote to each other during the World War 2.  After the kneeling family prayer each of the children said our last goodbye.  I had always been afraid to touch someone who had died.  I didn’t think I could.  I hadn’t touched her since she was warm with life and a fever.  But as I stepped forward I was drawn to touch her for the last time in this life.  Her hand was cool to the touch.  So different from the fevered hand of illness and infection the few days before.  I touched my lips to her forehead.  It actually calmed my fears.  It was my last kiss to my dear mother.  Then we watched our father stand from his wheelchair, to tell her goodbye.  Tears rolled down our eyes.  That temporary separation just seemed too long and so much to bear.  Then Jimae, Kriss, Dixie and I stepped forward to veil her face.  I gazed at her through that shimmering veil and knew that one day I too, will pass through the veil and she will be waiting for me on the other side. 

We took a precious string of pearls, a gift Dad had given Mother years ago, and made 40 single pearl necklaces.  Today I wear a pearl from her necklace, near my heart, to remember her, knowing that daughters, granddaughters, and one day great grand-daughers will all be wearing this same reminder of my loving mother. 

It truly was A Beautiful Day...


------


On this first Mother's Day without you with us:  Thank you Mother, for a beautiful life well lived and well loved.  You have taught us all a new way to love and I want you to know how grateful I am that "God sent me to your house to live."