The End of an Era

As most of you know, Brother Law has been our home teacher for all the years we have lived in this ward, about 20 years. When the ward boundaries were changed one block south, we were moved to the Second Ward and he was assigned as our home teacher. We were blessed with his visits every month. I bet it doesn't take even five fingers to count the months he has missed. Except for those mission months. His companion, Ted, came without Bro. Law. Ted came with his wife Fae, or Al Lemons, or Dixon Peacock, but still came every month. Brother Law is still coming faithfully with Jae Hanson as his companion now. We have all grown old together. Our children grew up and out of the home, off onto their own lives. We have stopped kneeling down for prayer together because of our "old, but new" knees, and Bro. Law's age, but we still pray together. It is such a comfort to hear him pray for our family. We know we can call on him at any time. Since his health is beginning to worsen, we are concerned about his driving here, walking up the steps, and all the things that are now getting so difficult for him. But he is still a faithful home teacher. We laugh when he says if there is anything he can do, just let him know! We laugh because we all know there isn't much he can physically do for us, but he sure buoy's us up spiritually.
Bro. Law as served as the stake patriarch for many years. I'm not sure exactly when he was called to that position, but he has given several of our children their special blessings. Today in church, it was announced that a new stake patriarch has been called, Brother David Thompson from Castle Dale. I noticed the tears in Bro. and Sister Law's eyes. I am sure it has been difficult for him to give blessings lately. His hands shake so much, and his legs are weak, but his spirit is strong. I don't know if he will be giving blessings any more, but he will always be a patriarch. He was not released because it is a calling for life. He is a wonderful man.
My children had "Coach Thompson" for classes in the junior high school. He always asks about them by name, asking where they are and what they are doing. I know Nicky saw him several times while she worked at the care center where his mother lived. Coach has gone through some hard times in the past few years, the sudden death of his son was probably the hardest for his family. He has served as a high councilor for several years. I remember the last time he spoke in our ward I was really impressed with his message. He seemed so sincere and loving. I am sure he will be blessed with the spirit as he is called to give patriarchal blessings to the members of the stake.
Is it the end of an era? In a way. I can't remember a time in my life when the stake patriarch hasn't lived in Orangeville. The patriarchs I remember are Hal Cox, Roger Curtis, Harry Snow, and Ruane Law. There may have been some others but I don't recall any. Just a little bit of trivia.

Life Changes

Our neighborhood has been blessed by having two children with Downs Syndrome. Our friend, Jay Mark, just lost his wife to cancer in December and was left with his two young men to continue raising. Jared is over 30 and Justin is around 24. Jared has taken care of Justin all of his life. On Thursday Justin had a fall that resulted in a shattered femur. The last thing I heard he is in UofU hospital. His heart has always been very bad and the doctors don't know if he would survive an operation to repair his leg. The choices aren't very good for him. I know this is hard on both Jared and Jay, as well as all of the rest of the family. They need all our faith and prayers.

Another change of life has happened to our good home teacher, Ted. At our home he has been known simply as Ted, not Bro. Thomas, just Ted. He has been such a faithful home teacher. When Bro. Law was on his missions, Ted came with his wife, or Al Lemons, or Dixon Peacock to complete his home teaching every month. There hasn't been many months in the past 18 years that Ted hasn't been in our home. You have to know Ted to understand how dedicated he is to our family. Ted just doesn't to people. He is not a crowd person. He prefers to be alone and not bothered. Ted is a gruff, hard man and I know he would smile when I say that. He is an old sailor with tattos on his arms. He can't talk because years ago he had throat cancer and has a trach hole. He does talk with us by covering the hole and whispering a few words at a time. He laughs and he cries with us. He loves our children so much and enjoyed watching them grow up and all of their accomplishments. He is truly a great friend to us. The change in his life is that he has reached the point that his family needs to have him in a retirement, extended care facility. His memory is going, he can't take care of himself any more. He doesn't eat properly and doesn't remember his personal care. He is moving to Turnquist Center in Elmo today. His daughter-in-law asked Garth if Ted had come home teaching the other night because when she went to get him ready for bed he was dressed in his suit and said he had to go home teaching. It is so touching to know that he cares about us so much that his few memories are coming to visit us. We all love him so much and we will miss his visits. We will be visiting him now, and hope to be able to make his life as happy as he has made ours.