Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I love my Heritage!

My children and I had the fun opportunity to go to the Wiltbank Family reunion over labor day weekend. I love to be in the mountains and my children look forward to it every year. There just is nothing better than being in the cool mountain air and beautiful trees talking with family and friends, playing card games, and eating lots and lots of yummy food. When I go to Eagar, I feel a closeness to by dad. I love to go to the cemetery and watch the grand kids pick wild flowers and line them up around his headstone. I also love the simply quick moments when I can talk about those loved ones who have passed on and teach my children about their heritage. I am sure that you all know that I have an emotional switch that I inherited from my dad. So as I stood there in the cemetery and looked around me I was surrounded by great grandparents, grandparents, father, sister, & cousins, I could not help but get emotional. All of these wonderful people has influenced my life and help me down the path. Some of them I have never met but I have hear stories and read journals about them. Some of them, like my father, has truly influenced me and raised me to be the person I am today. Today is dad's birthday. I so wish that I could wrap my arms around him today and wish him a Happy Birthday. What a wonderful person he is. My family misses him everyday, but we know that we will see him someday. As we left the cemetery some of my children were crying and I took that little simple moment to testify to them of the importance of the resurrection and how someday we will be able to be back with those who have passed on before us. We will have the opportunity to meet those members of our heritage and get to know them. I am so very thankful for the Gospel in my life and for the testimony I have of Eternal Families. It is hard to be away from them but it is just a short time of eternity. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great mom and daughter you are, your dad would be very proud of you. I too miss him all the time, there is not much time that goes by that his name is not in a conversation I have, he was a very big influence in my life. Happy Birthday, Big John.

Ginger said...

That is so sweet and such a nice tribute to your dad... I miss him too and think of him often. You were blessed to have such a kind man as your father!

Robin said...

That was beautiful. Your Dad touched so many people and I am grateful I was one of them.