Tuesday, August 18, 2015

And upon these, I write the things of my soul...



"....and upon these I write the things of my soul..."
II Nephi 4:15
August is a very special month for me. I love driving, off the mountain through all of the miles and miles, and miles of wheat fields. It is such evidence of wholesome goodness, and HOPE. . Sometimes I will just pull off to the side of the road, turn the truck off and listen to the wind sigh as it blows through the stalks. It seems to be declaring that LIFE in it's turbulence and glory will go on. Life is tough, and wonderful...but, don't cry because "it's" over...smile because it happened! 



The other day, I walked down by the river.  My sweet Mother-in-law was visiting, and she is a walker.
We were captivated by the sun reflected off the water,
the gentle breeze brushing across the 
rocky inlet...and an eagle riding the wind above the tree tops.
Except for the sound of water rolling along, 
and our labored breathing
all was quiet.
It was better than magic, because the moment was real.





August is also  a month of celebration.
We have a grandson Driggs, who shares his birthday on our
middle child Zack's, birthday. 
 
...our memory bank of love is kept alive, and still happening.



"...God sent him to a family..." Elder Webb


Five years ago, in December,
 LG & I were in Utah, putting up a Christmas tree, at Skeet and Heather's house. It had been a night of laughter, a lot of love, and good eats.
Several hours later, in the darkness of early morning... we got the phone call, no parent ever wants to receive.


There is not a day, that goes by where he is not remembered in some, small wonderful way. I get out the CD of his funeral service every now and then, and cry listening to the talks. There is a feeling of unitedness and peace, even with babies and young children, heard squalling in the background. My heart goes out to his sister Brittany, who is battling her own emotions, having recently lost her own husband in a car head on, and trying to quiet her little one.


The common factor in each one, 
is that Zack, loved and was loved by his family.
His brother Rock, tried to come up with one word that described him, and just couldn't...there were several: Joyful...Loving...Caring...Kind. 
 In sobs of grief, his sister Starr, declared to us all...that indeed he was a Simple Man, who loved the mountains, to hunt and fish and was most at ease when in these elements. 
And his elder brother Skeet, "Who is Zack, Ellison?" He is, a son, grandson, uncle, friend, cousin...he is, my brother.


I'm taking the time to post, because I want you all to know, that ZK's good days, were so, so much more...than the hard ones. His heart was good, his addiction took hold, and as much as he fought it, (and fight he did, for 16 years)...in the end, years and years of prescription abuse just messed his body up so much, it did not know how to function correctly...healthy.


In a journal, we found in his handwriting, declarations of his heart, "I just want to be the best neighbor, and for all the children to know, that they are loved by Brother Ellison. 
 I want my brothers and sisters to know that I would die for them, if in doing so would save their lives...
I want to be an honorable leader, respectable and kind. 
 I want to serve and to be loving and generous with my time. 
 I want to be a hard worker. 
I want to be worthy of respect. 
I want to be the man, every wife deserves to have...oh, how I want to quit my bad habits..."

Who is Zack Ellison? 
A son of God, who was sent to a family~


This month is his birthday, he would have been 37.



Gone, but as long as you are remembered
you are not forgotten.