A Treat and a Passing

We got a huge treat this past Sunday. Our former Bishop from North Logan, Utah, where we lived when Alexis was born, was in town. He was helping his daughter move with her husband and daughter to Georgia, where he will do an internship and residency following his recent graduation from Dartmouth Medical School. He was able to come to the chapel and visit for a few moments and meet our now huge children, including Kyle who was not yet born, and Alexis who was a small toddler when we moved away, as well as Dani and Josh who are grown or mostly so. He is great! What a good, caring man. His daughter and family will do well, I think, and we are so glad to have had a few precious minutes.

Blaine is well, back on chemo after a week off, which is always a bummer, but still well. Restaging still the 3rd. His Dad will be here on the 8th, after the funeral of Blaine's uncle, Arnold Taylor who died yesterday after his own battle with cancer. He was a navigator in WWII, who was shot down over Germany and fought his way out to allied territory. He never spoke about the details, but is a hero who put his life on the line. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart and another, unspecified medal for bravery.

He and Aunt Jaleen raised their children in Logan, Utah. My favorite memory of Uncle Arnold comes from the day he called and asked if he could pick up Josh and his cousin, Brandon, both 4 years old, and take them with him to the cow and calf auction. He came in his pickup truck and got two excited little boys who spent the day with him looking at big cows and baby cows. They were happy little campers when they got home. He was in his 70's at the time.

He, along with Blaine's Dad and siblings, were born and raised in Wayne County, Utah, the fourth of fifteen children. This was serious cattle country. I am sure he had been on more than a few cattle drives, and knew his way around those mountains. He and Jaleen were married for more than 62 years, and were the parents of 4 children. We rejoice for the good, hard working life he led. His family has been blessed to have him, and we are honored to have known him. God Bless.

Marleigh