A Day Of Remembrance ~

These are photos taken two years ago on Memorial Day Weekend~

Sigurd Cemetery!

 

Roger and I at the Sigurd, Cemetery 

 My Parents Grave Markers~ 

As a young child I always loved the Memorial day Celebration! It was fun to go and decorate graves and hear the stories about ancestors. In Richfield where I grew up. They always have a band that plays at the Cemetery Patriotic songs during the day!

Here is a photo of my Great Grandfather, Eskild C. Peterson and Sena Peterson's Headstone. He served in the Black Hawk Indian War. I loved reading their history. This is their family photo.  Both my Great Grandparents are wearing badges of honor given for his service in the war. My maternal Grandfather is last on on the back row, right side. 

As a family we would prepare for decorating the family graves by mowing our lawn and saving the grass clippings to place upon the graves, along with the flower arrangements. At that time the Sigurd Cemetery was not landscaped with grass; therefore the need for the grass clippings. I often heard my Dad tell how he was left as an orphan when his father was killed in the 1st World War and his mother had passed away earlier and he was then raised by his maternal Grandmother. As we would finish the graves in Sigurd by dear mother would remind him that she didn't want to be buried in that cemetery because it didn't have grass. 

 My Grandfather Herbert Gledhill gave his life on the fields of France in the First World War. He fraught hard for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Here is short history of his life.

On December 20, 1911, Herbert married his childhood sweetheart, Maggie Short McMillan, in the Manti Temple. Herbert was 21 and his bride was 17. Maggie was the daughter of John and Mary McMillan, also residents of Sigurd. The newlyweds built a small home on the McMillan property and settled in for what they hoped would be a long and happy life. However that was not to be the case.

On the 24^th of Nov. 1912 the couple were blessed with their first child and named him Max Herbert Gledhill. But Max only lived a little over two years and died on Feb 6, 1914 of pneumonia and pleurisy and was buried in the Sigurd cemetery. Two years later on August 15, 1916 a second child, again a boy, was born. They named him Millan France Gledhill after his maternal grandfather. Millan was my father.

This photo is my Grandfather, Herbert; Grandmother, Maggie and my Father, Millan~

But all was not well. Maggie only lived a little over a year after the birth of Millan. She died in Salt Lake City on January 11, 1917. Her death certificate indicates a cause of death as Nephritis. She was brought home and buried next to her son Max in the Sigurd cemetery. The newspaper account of her death is poignant in describing the family tragedy and the overwhelming grief. 

                                                                       

This left young Herbert, 27, a widower with a 17  month old son to care for. He had lost both a wife and a child within three years. On June 5^th, 1917, Herbert Gledhill registered for the Army. He did not seek any exemption for service based on hardship.

Herbert seemed driven to enlist in the army and fight for his country in the Great War in Europe. There may possibly have been more than that driving him. A report in the local newspaper indicated his mother prevailed on him to wait for a few months for his young son’s sake. He did so, but when the call came he went to Camp Lewis and was assigned to the 26^th infantry, Company M, and sent to the trenches of Europe. He fought in Flanders and Piccadilly and spent a total of seven months fighting the Huns in the trenches of France. In a letter home he described the nights "like a great lightning storm at Fish lake, only 100 times worse". He died in battle on June 14^th, 1918. The Richfield Reaper reported his death as heroic and noble and the “First Offering of Sevier County on the Altar of Freedom.” His body was returned to the land of his birth with great ceremony and he was buried a hero along side his sweetheart in the Sigurd cemetery. Short History of my grandfather by a cousin Brad Ogden

There have been many others loved ones that have served in our arm forces through the years. My Uncle Kirtley Bell served in he World War II. My brother Mac Millan Gledhill served in the Navy for 4 years in the 1950's; both deceased.

My son in law Brandon C. Workman served in the National Guard and was deployed to Iraq for 18 months. Our Nephew, Kevin Williams served as a Navy Seal for many years.

I was raised in a family that honored our Flag, National Anthem and our great country. The scriptures are clear that our Nation will be in peril if we do not follow the God of this land. I always feel sad when the National Anthem is played and a few choose to not place their hand over their hearts.  The instances of disrespecting our Flag have increased. How sad to know that many do not believe in a God and desire to take God out of our country. 

I know that our Heavenly Father and Savior love this great land and desire to bless it. May we all pray for this wonderful country of ours and for wise leaders to guide it. May we pray for all the men and women who serve in the armed forces and are willing to give their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. 

Do to our mission and other commitments, I am not able to decorate my parents and grandparents graves this Memorial Day so I have a dear cousin doing that for our family. I have thus chosen to honor my parents by sharing with you a couple of precious memories.

One of my favorite memories of my father was a day that I visited with him in a care center a short time before he passed away on Oct. 15, 2001 from Alzheimer and complications from a hip surgery. My Dad and Mom loved to dance. Through the years he would always grab my mom and many times me and whirl us around the floor as the music played. I loved having him dance with me. On this particular day he still remembered me. We went into the activity room and the good oldies were playing and he took my Mom in his arms and they had their last dance. Next he grabbed me and I will treasure that moment forever. I miss you Dad. 

My dear Mother lived with us the last few months of her life. I treasure the moments I had with her and only wish I could have been with her more. My mother always like to look nice. She would never go anywhere without make-up or her hair done. She had just turned 90 years old and we had a huge Birthday celebration for her. A few short days after this event she became weaker and spent more time in her bed. One Sunday I had left her comfortably in bed while I attended a Sacrament meeting. I ran home to check on her. She called to me as I came in the door and told me she was watching an info commercial on TV. She asked me what I thought of the product called Sheer Coverage. I told her I had used it and in fact had used it on her when I was helping her get ready for her birthday party. She then said; LeAnn why don't you order me some. I assured her I had enough to share with her. Only a few short weeks later she passed away.  Mom thanks for teaching me how to be a wife, mother and to care about looking my best as I am sure Heavenly Father wants all of his daughters to do.

My oldest brother Mac passed away at the age of 74 in July of 2010. My heart still is so tender when I think of him not being here. I loved him so much. He was always my protector and confident over the years. I love each and everyone of his family members. They are so dear to my heart. 

Then in April of 2014, my brother John passed a way at the age of 74. Here again, I lost a very dear friend. I loved him so much. The last few years we drew closer than ever and I will treasure those moments. Again, his family is very precious to me and I love my moments with them. 

Now my immediate family is gone and I feel happy that I have many precious memories.  A day doesn't go by that I don't have a tender thought come to mind of one or another of them. Remembering is such a poignant and nostalgic part of our life experiences. 

Here is the photo of one of the last times we were all together as a family. Left to right; my husband, Roger, myself, my older brother Mac, wife, Amparo, my Dad, Mom, Gloria and brother, John. 

May we all remember our loved one that have passed beyond who have touched our hearts and been examples to us through the years. May the tears shed on this Memorial Day be a reminder of this great nation and all of us who love it and serve our God. Indeed; God Bless America. May we be safe in the arms of the Savior's Eternal Love. 

Have a Happy Memorial Day filled with memories of passed loved ones!

 I know we will see them again!

A Happy Mother's Day Note To The Mothers In My Life!

I know that I have a Heavenly Father and Mother. I am so grateful for my treasured Heavenly Mother. I am sure as spirit brothers and sisters we were taught and nurtured by our Heavenly Parents. I am sure we spent eons of time in the presence of our divine Heavenly Mother. I like to imagine what she must have been like. I know that she is perfect and has everlasting love for each and everyone of us. I feel assured that our Heavenly Mother taught us how to be divine daughters of our Heavenly Father.
As women, I feel that we came down here with many qualities that our Heavenly Mother has. We have spiritual DNA from her.We are natural nurturers. Whatever role you play as a mother you are blessed with this one trait and many others.  Each and every one of us can be  a mother in some way. Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful daughters of our magnificent Heavenly Parents. 

Here are a few thoughts on my own precious Mother, Leone~ 

 My  Mother at age 19 just before she was married ~ 

 My lovely Mother and Me~

My Mother in her latter years~

I thought for Mother's Day that I might tell you a little more about my endearing earthly Mother. My sweet Mom passed away at the age of 90 in 2006. I miss her more than mere words can express. I still  wish I could go to the phone and call her. I think about her often; I would say daily. She was always there for me and taught me many good things. She was a marvelous example of true womanhood. Sometimes, I think I didn't fully appreciate all of the special qualities she had until she passed through the veil.  I still cry at the smallest of remembrances. 
My Mom had three children. My oldest brother Mac, who also passed away in 2010. My next brother John who passed away in 2014. We were raised by parents who showed their love in so many ways. I know that my parents taught me, listened to me and helped me in every aspect of my life. 
As a young child I loved dolls and had many through they years. I nurtured those dolls just like my Mother showed me. When I had my own children, it was natural to love them with all my heart and soul. I feel so blessed to have the wonderful children that I do.
My Mom loved the outdoors and we spent a lot of time as a family fishing and hunting. My Mom could fish and hunt with the best of them. In fact, she was known for always catching the most fish. 
She loved to ride horses with my Dad and I always loved horses too.
My Mom was a great cook. She loved to bake cookies, cakes, bread and rolls. Even now there are several comfort foods that I continue to love; especially when I need some comfort. 
My Mom was a hard worker. She was a stay at home Mom when I was little but then later had to work. She was dedicated to every job she had. She even worked up until she was 86 years old in a gift shop.  
My Dad and her owned a cafe in Richfield, Utah called Chesty's Shack. It had the best Cheeseburgers, fries and shakes that I have ever had. They loved working together in this Cafe and I spent many hours with them. I was often busy peeling the potatoes for the french fries in the back room.
 They later worked for my brother, John at Big Rock Candy Mountain in a cafe there. Again their homemade cooking helped to bring more patrons in. 
Being the youngest and only girl in the family; I can say that I was spoiled by my parents.
Being a normal teenage, I had several squabbles with my dear Mother. She was extremely patient with me and I wasn't grounded very often. 
I could always go to her with any questions that I had and she would tell me or help me find the answers. 
Thanks Mom for the many hours you spent sewing me dresses and clothes through the years. Your dresses were much better than anything store bought. I know you sewed into the wee hours of the night to make a dress for every special occasion. Most of all I loved my beautiful wedding dress and the lace dress I wore on my wedding day. I love you for this.

Thanks for every time I went to girl’s camp and then came home, I would find my bedroom furniture repainted or my room painted again.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the many times I came to you with struggles and you listened to my heart.

Thanks Mom and Dad for loving to dance together and sing together; it helped me love music and dancing. As I witnessed the love you had for each other; it helped me love you both even more. You were both examples of what an eternal relationship truly is. I remember so well the last dance you had with Dad at the care center and then he danced with me, that’s a forever memory.

Thanks Mom for coming to take care of me whenever I had a new baby. You helped far beyond any thanks I could ever give. You certainly helped me with being a Mother. You were such a wonderful mentor. 

Thanks for loving my husband Roger when we first started dating. As our romance blossomed she continued to support us in that relationship. In fact, she defended him whenever I was having a struggle with something he did. She would simply point out he was right. She truly loved him as a son and he loved her as a Mom. 
Thanks Mom for the many times I heard the record playing of the Book of Mormon and I love it too.Thanks for your testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which strengthen mine.

Thanks Mom and Dad for loving the temple, because Roger and I love it too.

Thanks Mom and Dad for serving a mission and being a great example to us as missionaries. 

Both my parents were great examples of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enduring to the end.

Thanks for enduring through a lot of difficulties in life teaching me that I can endure too. 

I pray that my dearest Mom knows how much I love and miss her.  I hope they celebrate Mother's Day beyond the veil and that she can peak down and see me once in a while and realize all the things I am thankful to her for. 

Mom, thanks for having me and giving me a chance to live on this beautiful earth filled with endless opportunities.

Happy Mother's Day to my forever, Mom. 

My dearest Mother In Law, Nyal~

I can't leave out my dear husband's sweet Mom. I loved her also with all my heart. She was such an example of kindness, love, devotion, perseverance, and a very strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved her and I know and felt that she loved me. She had 9 children and was such a patient and kind Mother. She was a great example to me and I learn so much from her. She was one of the kindest souls I have ever known. She would do anything for any body and she did.  I love you my angel  Mother In Law, Nyal and I miss you too. 

All my Daughters, Daughter in laws, and Granddaughter in Laws~

Happy Mother's Day to my precious daughters, daughter in laws and granddaughter in laws. I love you so much. Thanks for being really sweet Moms. I love watching you be mothers; you are awesome! 

You are raising your children in a difficult era. I admire how you handle the different situations that come your way. Motherhood is a sacred responsibility and you do it so well. I think I have the best of Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. I can see that you have those divine nurturing qualities that our Heavenly Mother has. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the kind and loving woman out there that I have associated with through the years. I know that you all nurture the children that surround you. You are mothers in every way. Have a really lovely day!