Meticulous

Yesterday was a special day. It happened to be my father’s birthday, which is a good opportunity to consider his memory and influence. So I would like to share with you a few special occasions I treasure about him. These are great memories that buoy me up daily.

Grandpa always had an office of sorts where he did his work. In Salt Lake, his office was rather elaborate with files, shelves, typewriter, chair, drawers and a big desk. It was inviting, adorned with artwork and warm, comfortable furnishings. He completed his work, compiled many of his talks, wrote notes, and recorded countless thoughts in his carefully labeled filing cabinets. Though with all these resources, dad's desk was often filled high with papers and the floor was littered with small piles to the point that there was really no place left to walk without tip toeing over the carefully positioned stacks of papers.

I suppose it could become a bit tiresome to have all these seemingly unorganized piles strewn throughout the room, and occasionally my mom would come into his study and clean everything up for him. She put order to his office. He was grateful and kind, yet he couldn't always find his work once his carefully placed projects were rearranged.

Later after we moved, his office took different forms. Though it may not have been as extravagant, it continued to be well-used and scattered with busy work of all kinds.

But I have come to realize that his life's work was not unlike his office. Often Dad would find the one in need of support by navigating through many good things to complete those that were essential. His life was spent serving others in situations that were inconvenient, difficult, and laborious, but convenience wasn't his measuring stick. Love was.
Mosiah 2:17

His life was spent earning people's trust so that he could impact their lives for good. He wasn't everything to anybody, but he was something to everybody. And he was ok with that. My dad wanted to promote and witness of the life of the Savior. His final request made sure of that. We received explicit instructions from him that his funeral be a gospel message putting Christ in the forefront.

That was quintessential Dad.

Grandpa shared many stories with me that have literally changed my life for the better.

Spend a few minutes with Grandpa by clicking this link to read his account of finding Castle Valley. Each time I read these anecdotes, I re-live them with Grandpa.

I could tell you stories about my dad all day long. Good times were great times with Grandpa. 

Fortunately, we will have many more occasions to spend the eternities together with him. And in the mean time, we have our cherished memories.