Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Thoughts on Dad's Passing
At 3:01 a.m. my phone rang. Mike was calling with the expected news that Dad had slipped the bonds of this earth and been reunited with Mom, his mother and father, sister, Tony, and extended family in those glorious courts on high.
Just a week ago today I sat in the Nauvoo Temple with Felicia as she received her endowment. My mind was crowded with emotions and thoughts that kept coming, unbidden and not easily dismissed, of her wedding and festivities that were impending the following day. Rich, Wanda, Joey, Phil, Hannah, Cherstin, Brittany, and Tom were all in attendance. Carlie, Robert, Dan, and Julia had all elected to stay at the hotel with the children so that their spouses and daughter could be there with Felicia. Mike was back in Denver with his little brood so that Desi could come...but Desi was en route from the airport in St. Louis, racing to make that 5 pm session. My sadness was gut-wrenching when the Temple President decided to close the door and proceed with the session. I didn't know where Desi was and my sadness was profound. I thought how that feeling must be so similar to those of loved ones waiting for their spouses, children, parents and siblings on the other side and yet, because of choices and events in this life, the door was closed and eternity rolled on. I knew that Desi was doing all that she could to be there...but she was missing.
The session continued and I struggled to lose the forboding that continued to envelope me. I wondered where she was, had she given up and gone back to the hotel, was she okay? I sat in a session that taught of the greatest love story ever told - of our Heavenly Father and His desire to bring each of His children home and the efforts of our Savior to assist in that great work and I didn't know where Desi was...was she home? It is not usual that I am the first through the veil - but I was on that occasion and there are not words to describe the joy I felt when I entered the Celestial Room and found Desi, sitting on a couch, waiting for the rest of us. Again I marvelled at those feelings, knowing that they must be somewhat similar to those who are waiting for us on the other side and for us who are anxious to reunite with loved ones gone ahead. I thought of Mom waiting for Dad and Dad's desire to be with Mom and wondered how much longer they would have to wait. I thought of covenants made by each of us and prayed that we would all work with all our might to keep those covenants and to repent so that we could all enter into that glory - to be together forever. Heaven just won't be complete without each one that I love there. I thought of how much each of us are a work in progress - and - knowing that salvation is a personal endeavor - prayed that each of us would undertake that work...to renew our covenants, repent, study, develop our testimonies, and seek to know the Lord. It is not a work that can be done for anyone else...and really...putting aside my own pride and selfish endeavors is hard enough for me. I also thought of how exaltation is a family endeavor - that we can never give up praying for one another, serving one another, being kind, worrying about, and loving each other with all our might...even when it seems hopeless. It's really about keeping our covenants and trusting in the Lord - knowing that each of us are His work and desiring to be involved in His work in whatever way He needs us to be.
One day each of us will return "home" just as Dad has done today. We will see the reality of the eternities. We will know in every fiber of our being whether or not we qualify for the blessings of being together forever.
On many occasions after Mom passed away, Dad and I discussed these very same principles and doctrines. He was reading the scriptures voraciously, listening to talks on BYUtv, reading books by general authorities, and searching his very soul. He had no doubt that Mom qualified for all that our Father has to offer His children...but he wasn't sure that he would ever be good enough. I bought him "Believing Christ" and "Following Christ" - both by Stephen Robinson, knowing that what he was experiencing was grief and he just needed the reassurance of all that he already knew and the hope and faith to continue to endure without Mom at his side. What I witnessed in Dad was most remarkable to me. His prayers were for the Lord to help him understand what he needed to learn and do and to know the Lord's will. There was NEVER any recrimination or anger - just the tender pleadings of Dad to understand and accept Mom's passing and the desire to do whatever the Lord wanted him to do. He knows the gospel is true, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and that we can all be together - forever. And his most urgent desire is for all of us to receive these truths for ourselves - so that we can be a forever family. Tonight he has returned home. It is my prayer that we all do whatever it takes to do the same. I love you, Dad and Mom.
Just a week ago today I sat in the Nauvoo Temple with Felicia as she received her endowment. My mind was crowded with emotions and thoughts that kept coming, unbidden and not easily dismissed, of her wedding and festivities that were impending the following day. Rich, Wanda, Joey, Phil, Hannah, Cherstin, Brittany, and Tom were all in attendance. Carlie, Robert, Dan, and Julia had all elected to stay at the hotel with the children so that their spouses and daughter could be there with Felicia. Mike was back in Denver with his little brood so that Desi could come...but Desi was en route from the airport in St. Louis, racing to make that 5 pm session. My sadness was gut-wrenching when the Temple President decided to close the door and proceed with the session. I didn't know where Desi was and my sadness was profound. I thought how that feeling must be so similar to those of loved ones waiting for their spouses, children, parents and siblings on the other side and yet, because of choices and events in this life, the door was closed and eternity rolled on. I knew that Desi was doing all that she could to be there...but she was missing.
The session continued and I struggled to lose the forboding that continued to envelope me. I wondered where she was, had she given up and gone back to the hotel, was she okay? I sat in a session that taught of the greatest love story ever told - of our Heavenly Father and His desire to bring each of His children home and the efforts of our Savior to assist in that great work and I didn't know where Desi was...was she home? It is not usual that I am the first through the veil - but I was on that occasion and there are not words to describe the joy I felt when I entered the Celestial Room and found Desi, sitting on a couch, waiting for the rest of us. Again I marvelled at those feelings, knowing that they must be somewhat similar to those who are waiting for us on the other side and for us who are anxious to reunite with loved ones gone ahead. I thought of Mom waiting for Dad and Dad's desire to be with Mom and wondered how much longer they would have to wait. I thought of covenants made by each of us and prayed that we would all work with all our might to keep those covenants and to repent so that we could all enter into that glory - to be together forever. Heaven just won't be complete without each one that I love there. I thought of how much each of us are a work in progress - and - knowing that salvation is a personal endeavor - prayed that each of us would undertake that work...to renew our covenants, repent, study, develop our testimonies, and seek to know the Lord. It is not a work that can be done for anyone else...and really...putting aside my own pride and selfish endeavors is hard enough for me. I also thought of how exaltation is a family endeavor - that we can never give up praying for one another, serving one another, being kind, worrying about, and loving each other with all our might...even when it seems hopeless. It's really about keeping our covenants and trusting in the Lord - knowing that each of us are His work and desiring to be involved in His work in whatever way He needs us to be.
One day each of us will return "home" just as Dad has done today. We will see the reality of the eternities. We will know in every fiber of our being whether or not we qualify for the blessings of being together forever.
On many occasions after Mom passed away, Dad and I discussed these very same principles and doctrines. He was reading the scriptures voraciously, listening to talks on BYUtv, reading books by general authorities, and searching his very soul. He had no doubt that Mom qualified for all that our Father has to offer His children...but he wasn't sure that he would ever be good enough. I bought him "Believing Christ" and "Following Christ" - both by Stephen Robinson, knowing that what he was experiencing was grief and he just needed the reassurance of all that he already knew and the hope and faith to continue to endure without Mom at his side. What I witnessed in Dad was most remarkable to me. His prayers were for the Lord to help him understand what he needed to learn and do and to know the Lord's will. There was NEVER any recrimination or anger - just the tender pleadings of Dad to understand and accept Mom's passing and the desire to do whatever the Lord wanted him to do. He knows the gospel is true, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and that we can all be together - forever. And his most urgent desire is for all of us to receive these truths for ourselves - so that we can be a forever family. Tonight he has returned home. It is my prayer that we all do whatever it takes to do the same. I love you, Dad and Mom.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Under Construction
Hi Guys -
I have sent out invitations to all that I have email addresses for to join our new Pehrson family blog. There are so many that I don't have email addresses for - so if you would please give me their addresses I will extend an invitation to them. The invitation that has been extended gives you the opportunity to post and add content to the blog. It is my hope that we'll be able to stay in contact easily thru this forum. I have also included a list of individual blogs for our family members...but again...the only ones listed are those I know of or were listed on other family members blogs. I haven't listed anyone under the age of 21 - I know parents will probably prefer to keep some of that private - unless you'd like to add them. I didn't ask each of you for your inclusion - I'm sorry! Just wanted to include everyone and hope you'll want to be included.
At the sibling family meeting we decided that we would try to collaborate on genealogy, pictures, histories, stories, etc. Chad has taken a lion's share of photos that he is going to scan - maybe this will be a place he can post some/all of them for our family. Jim has taken memorabilia to do the same - this includes letters, notes, etc. I have taken things already that I have been working on - of course you know that I have been trying to scan and transcribe what I can and now that this site is being set up I will post that info here. This effort is NOT exclusive to us - we need all the help we can get and hope you will all feel free and welcome to participate.
I have titled this post "Under Construction" because it really is - I am so eager to have input about things that you think might make it helpful, memorable, and useable to all of us - please share!!!!
I know that there were lots of photos taken at the funeral and throughout the last few months of Dad's life. I know that there are lots of memories and things that ought to be remembered...please feel free to share here so that all may enjoy and remember.
I noted that Tristen had posted last night on FB that she and Steve and the kids had met in memory of Steve's mom. I thought that post was very poignant and hope that we'll do that on occasion and as appropriate for Mom and Dad - and even each other.
I have also noted from FB and the blogs of family members that there are wonderful traditions, memories of cousins, food, etc. that might be wonderful to add to the blog.
That said - there was discussion about cheesecake when I was there - Brandt even wanted some the night of the BBQ :) I found the recipe that Mom and Dad used (Harold Kern's - sssshhhhhh!) and am posting it. I hope you all enjoy!
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
Mix well and pressinto the bottom and around the sides of a spring form pan - Mom has written a large pan - I talked to Ruby about the size and she said it was the 9" - so the middle size. If you want to use the largest size you need to 1 1/2 times the recipe.
2 8oz pkg cream cheese (softened) - beat until light and fluffy
Add gradually to the cream cheese while beating:
1 cup light cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbl flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 egg yolks (beat until thick before adding to the mixture)
4 egg whites - beat until stiff and then fold into the cheese mixture and SPOON into the crumb lined pan.
Bake in a moderate over (325 degrees) for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and open the door to allow heat to escape but do not move the cake. Let it remain in the oven for 1/2 hour. Remove and cool at room temperature. Chill.
I have sent out invitations to all that I have email addresses for to join our new Pehrson family blog. There are so many that I don't have email addresses for - so if you would please give me their addresses I will extend an invitation to them. The invitation that has been extended gives you the opportunity to post and add content to the blog. It is my hope that we'll be able to stay in contact easily thru this forum. I have also included a list of individual blogs for our family members...but again...the only ones listed are those I know of or were listed on other family members blogs. I haven't listed anyone under the age of 21 - I know parents will probably prefer to keep some of that private - unless you'd like to add them. I didn't ask each of you for your inclusion - I'm sorry! Just wanted to include everyone and hope you'll want to be included.
At the sibling family meeting we decided that we would try to collaborate on genealogy, pictures, histories, stories, etc. Chad has taken a lion's share of photos that he is going to scan - maybe this will be a place he can post some/all of them for our family. Jim has taken memorabilia to do the same - this includes letters, notes, etc. I have taken things already that I have been working on - of course you know that I have been trying to scan and transcribe what I can and now that this site is being set up I will post that info here. This effort is NOT exclusive to us - we need all the help we can get and hope you will all feel free and welcome to participate.
I have titled this post "Under Construction" because it really is - I am so eager to have input about things that you think might make it helpful, memorable, and useable to all of us - please share!!!!
I know that there were lots of photos taken at the funeral and throughout the last few months of Dad's life. I know that there are lots of memories and things that ought to be remembered...please feel free to share here so that all may enjoy and remember.
I noted that Tristen had posted last night on FB that she and Steve and the kids had met in memory of Steve's mom. I thought that post was very poignant and hope that we'll do that on occasion and as appropriate for Mom and Dad - and even each other.
I have also noted from FB and the blogs of family members that there are wonderful traditions, memories of cousins, food, etc. that might be wonderful to add to the blog.
That said - there was discussion about cheesecake when I was there - Brandt even wanted some the night of the BBQ :) I found the recipe that Mom and Dad used (Harold Kern's - sssshhhhhh!) and am posting it. I hope you all enjoy!
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
Mix well and pressinto the bottom and around the sides of a spring form pan - Mom has written a large pan - I talked to Ruby about the size and she said it was the 9" - so the middle size. If you want to use the largest size you need to 1 1/2 times the recipe.
2 8oz pkg cream cheese (softened) - beat until light and fluffy
Add gradually to the cream cheese while beating:
1 cup light cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbl flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 egg yolks (beat until thick before adding to the mixture)
4 egg whites - beat until stiff and then fold into the cheese mixture and SPOON into the crumb lined pan.
Bake in a moderate over (325 degrees) for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and open the door to allow heat to escape but do not move the cake. Let it remain in the oven for 1/2 hour. Remove and cool at room temperature. Chill.
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