Dear Family,
Ever since our recent trip to Rexburg I have felt a deep renewal of appreciation for the immediate and extended family the Lord has blessed me with. To witness Grandpa Dale so upbeat and happy to be alive while visiting with children, Grandchildren and great-grandchildren re-enforced the meaning of eternal familes. Taft and Grandpa Dale seemed to enjoy each other so very much, conversations about all aspects of life. I watched Shauna record Grandpa telling family history stories ( she is such a marvelous person), I heard him laugh as someone told him a joke, I saw tears as he testified of gospel principles. His children rarely left his side during his stay in the hospital, demonstrating their love for him. While there even though I didn't spend lots of time with some of our family members, I noticed how time had passed when looking at some of the nieces and nephews and how they have grown. Hearing Issac and Emry say " Aunt Mary" this and "Aunt Mary" that was so much fun!! They were sharing their young thoughts with such delight. :-) Hugging and visiting with sister'-in-laws and brother-in-laws while being a recipient of their hospitality and love. You can't help but join in with Steve's enthusiam for BYU Idaho as he takes you on a tour, enlightens you on the progress and changes occuring there and hands out BYU Alumni shirts!! Cindy opened their home for all to gather at, cousins playing with cousins, adults pulled into soccer and baseball games with the kids, bbq ribs ( yummmmmm,) breakfast of home made cinnamon rolls, just to name a few. All this and of course, my little Kayla running into my arms and holding her close and tight. Watching that little body, hair flying everywhere and smiling from ear to ear, try to stay upright on the trampoline with "Topher" and the other big boys was quite the heart warming sight!!! Kayla ran free (sometimes we had to track down where Emry had taken her on the bicycle) and happy there with her family all around her. This tiny 4 year old would push Grandpa Roger and Jackson in Great-Grandpa's wheel chair, if you can picture that :-). Anna is such a peaceful, smiley, cuddly, munchable, beautiful, baby that Grandpa Roger was overheard to say, "We'll take her home with us". Jackson was a bit shy, and then warmed up to his cousins and Great-Grandpa seemed so happy to see him! Chrissy is funny, still, and that is good. I had forgotten what a nice sense of humor she has, so I loved just listening to Roger, Cindy and her talk!!! Good, good, times. Wonderful times. Memory building and family ties building times. Quite frankly, I didn't want to leave. I write this to thank all of you, not only the family in Rexburg, but to all the "Doman Clan" everywhere for the happy, happy times we share and pray for many more. A special thanks to Roger taking us!! We will always have our family members on the other side of the veil in our hearts and maybe sometimes in our presence. So, to those of us still here on the earth I extend an invitation to take advantage of this life to associate with each other, to laugh with, serve, understand and forgive, and help, keeping in mind that is one of our Heavenly Father's greatest gifts to us now, and hopefully forever, FAMILY. I cherish my knowledge of our Savior and His gospel as I do all of you!!
Love to all, Wife Mary
Sister-in-Law Mary
Mother Mary ......sounds like a Catholic Nun :-)
Grandma Mary
Daughter-in-Law Mary
Aunt Mary
