Memories of Gratitude ~

My dear husband and I had a beautiful day of celebrating the Memorial Tradition of decorating graves. It was a beautiful day, and it felt so good to get out in the sunshine, take a day trip, and enjoy memories of those who have passed. 

My dear husband and I had a beautiful day of celebrating the Memorial Tradition of decorating graves. It was a beautiful day, and it felt so good to get out in the sunshine, take a day trip, and enjoy memories of those who have passed. 

Here are my in-laws. They are buried in Bountiful, Utah. Actually, our Cemetery plots are located there too. I have many fond memories of these two beautiful individuals. They were great examples to us. 

Roger's father worked in the Missionary Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was called as the first Presiding Elder of Nigeria by President David O. McKay in the early 1960s. He visited Nigeria and taught many people about the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latte-Day Saints. He was unable to stay in the country for long, because of political upheaval. He was assigned to communicate with the people in Nigeria that wanted more information about the church and desired missionaries to come.
 Dad and Mom Williams also presided over the Baton Rouge, Louisiana mission for 3 years. Later in 1981, they served a mission in Nigeria and Ghana. One of their assignments was to look for some of those individuals that he had corresponded with. We have a history full of fantastic experiences. They have left a legacy of love, service, and Missionary work. 

We next drove into the Salt Lake City Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of Roger's Sister Marilyn and her husband, Don Brady. We found their graves quickly. That cemetery is very extensive.
 I loved Don and Marilyn so much. They were an outstanding couple. I always looked at Marilyn as a sister that I never had. They were both extremely talented in remodeling homes and decorating. They loved to serve others and were always busy in their ward assignments. 

One of our favorite places visit is in the area where I was born and raised until 13 years of age. We lived in Richfield, Utah. My Dad was raised in Sigurd, Utah, by his Grandmother. 
My dear parents are buried in Sigurd. This is a relatively small Cemetery that years ago was just dirt. It now has grass. I was a little sad to see that Cemetery isn't cared for very well, but it at least has grass.
 I remember, as a child, that my brothers would mow the lawn clippings, and then these would be spread over the graves to make it look suitable for Memorial day along with the flowers placed there. This was a yearly tradition. 
I miss my parents so much, and being there was an emotional moment for me. I am so grateful to know that I will see them again and that we are an eternal family. My parents were the best ever. They were so good to me. I was the youngest and the only girl, so I was spoiled by them all. 
 I have also lost both my brothers, Mac and John. Also, my sister in law. Amparo. I have one dear sister in law, Gloria left, and I love her so much and feel happy that I can still visit and talk with her.
The photo above was taken at this Cemetery. The monument is made out of the rocks from an old rock church in Sigurd. I love the plaque that explains it all. 

My Grandpa Herbert and my Grandmother, Maggie Gledhill, and their two- year old son, Max, are buried here, also. I didn't know either of them. My Uncle Max died at age two of pneumonia, two years later, my Dad, Millan, was born. Five months later, my Grandmother, Maggie, died of Bright's disease. Several months later, my Grandpa, Herbert, joined the army during the 1st World War. He was sent to France and was killed in the trenches on June 13, 1917. My Grandpa remains were buried initially in a temporary grave and then later relocated to another site in France. Eventually, his body was brought home and buried in Sigurd. My father was then left as an orphan at the age of 18 months. My Dad was then raised by his Grandparents; 
 Knowing that my Grandfather gave his life for our country and others has always helped me have a love for this great Nation and the freedoms we have fought for. 

Next, we drove to Monroe, Utah, to decorate the grave of my Uncle Kirtley and Aunt Alene Bell. My Aunt Alene is my Mother's baby sister. My Uncle Kirtley served in the 2nd World  War and fought in battles in Germany and England. He was away from his sweet wife for three years. Their first baby boy, Ron, was born shortly after my Uncle left.  He came home from the war on the day of my birth. I have fond memories of the many times that I stayed at my Aunt Alene's home while growing up. We were always close. She passed away last July at the age of 98.

Our next stop was back to Richfield, Utah. This is where I was born. We went to the Richfield Cemetery and placed flowers on the graves of my Uncle Bill and Aunt Della Moorhead. Della was my Mother's oldest sister. My Uncle Bill passed away first; my Aunt Della later died at the age of 100. I didn't know them as well because they lived out of the state most of the years of growing up. However, when we moved back to Utah in 2005, I was able to get to know her better. She lived in Bountiful, and I loved visiting her. I eventually wrote her history, and she was such a delight to know. She told me such fun stories of growing up and shared details about my Mom that I didn't know. I felt so sad about her passing. 

We then put flowers on my Grandma Dora and Grandpa Ernest Peterson's grave. I loved my dear Grandma so much. I spent many hours with her. She told me many stories about being a nurse in Richfield, and that is what gave me the desire to be one too. She lost her first husband, Ernest to, the flu in 1922. When he passed away, they had three little girls; Della, age 8, Leone (my mother), age 5, and Alene, age 3. He was a farmer and had been helping take care of his Uncle and Aunt's farm. They all had the flu. He then came down with it, and all of the family got it. My Mom remembers having blood coming from their ears. He developed the complication of pneumonia and passed away. He said goodbye to them all and then told them he could see a beautiful place, and his mother was there. His Mom had passed away a couple of months before he did. It was such a testimony to this little family of the spirit world and knowing that there was life after death.
My Grandmother became a nurse to support the family and then married my step Grandpa Ogden years later, and Grandpa Charles Ogden was the only Grandpa that I knew and loved dearly.

Our last stop was at the gravesite of my Great Grandpa Thomas and Grandma Lillie Mae Gledhill. 
Growing up, I didn't know the Gledhill side very well. My Dad was raised by his maternal Grandmother McMillan. While there, I noted that I had a Great Uncle's headstone. Following a little research, I found an incredible history of my Great Grandparents. 
I have experienced great delight in knowing more about my ancestors. Their lives and how they lived them have been a great source of strength to me. Life was not easy for them. They went through plaques like now and wars. They lost loved ones at a young age. They struggled with the elements on their farms and ranches. I find their faith in God and their examples of perseverance and courage under difficult circumstances to be remarkable. I thanks them for their examples of love and service. 
We loved to show our respect for the lives they lived by decorating their graves. 
Have a beautiful Memorial Day, everyone! 

My Precious Mom - Happy Mother's Day~

Happy Mother's Day to my precious Mother, Leone Peterson Gledhill~

My dearest Mother passed away on August 27, 2006. She was ninety years old and was living with us at the time. My Dad had passed away in October 2001. My mom missed him so much, and I feel such comfort knowing they are together forever. Meanwhile, my own two brothers have both passed away along with a special sister in law. 

Since it is Mother's day, I want to focus on loving Mother. My mother is a daughter of God, and I know that she lived a good life worthy of being with my Dad and brothers forever. We were sealed as a family on March 23, 1957. My Dad and Mother loved the temple and kept their covenants, and I know that they are happily serving in the spirit world in great anticipation of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. These thoughts provide great comfort.  Missing them is hard; I grieve often. 

I thought I would share with you through poetry what kind of loving woman she was. She loved to write poetry and was good at it. She also loved to serve others and was always doing something for someone. 

Kind Thoughts For Each Day by Leone P. Gledhill

Monday

Is there someone you know who's lonely

And you haven't seen for a while?

Let them know that they're thought-about

with a call, a word, or a smile.

Tuesday

Don't neglect the chance today

to do some kindly act

or pay a little compliment

With thoughtfulness and tact.

Wednesday

This is a day for forgetting 

Yesterday's cares, and it's strife.

This is a day for remembering,

The joys and the blessings of life.

Thursday

Think of a friend, who's in trouble

Is there some little thing you and do?

If there's nothing else, then offer a prayer.

From a heart that's sincere and true. 

Friday

Today should be just for your loved ones,

Find some little way of expressing;

The thought that their love will always be

Life's greatest and sweetest blessing.

Saturday

You may have cares and duties, 

There are dozens of things to be done.

But don't let the day come to an end,

Without some laughter and fun. 

Sunday

This is a day of rejoicing,

For thinking of God above.

Arise and give thanks for the blessings,

Of his deep and abiding love. 

May these little thoughts from the heart of a friend, 

Bring joy to your week from its start to its end. 

Here's My Mom's Testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

I want to bear my testimony to our children and grandchildren. I  know that our Heavenly Father lives and that He hears and answers our prayers. I know that our Savior JesusChrist loves us, and through the power of the Atonement, we can repent and come unto him and be resurrected and receive Eternal Life with our loved ones. 

           I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true. 

Our prophet President Gordan B. Hinckley, who we have at the head of our Church today, will be able to bring many people into our Church. He is a true prophet of God. 

We are so happy that we were able to go to the temple and have Mac, John and LeAnn sealed to us, and I am happy that I was able to be sealed to my Mother and Father on that day also. It was a special day for us, John was baptized for about 15 people that day, and Mac was a witness. LeAnn was especially happy; she was 7 years old and looking forward to her Baptism when she would be 8 in November.

I have seen the power of the Priesthood so many times. I am so grateful for our wonderful children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren, and my two special sisters and their families.

I hope and pray that all of our family will be able to go to the temple and be sealed so that we can all be together in the hereafter. I am so grateful that we were called to be missionaries in the Cove Fort Mission. It was a special experience for us. We met so many wonderful people and were able to bare our testimonies often to them of the truthfulness of the Church.

I am grateful for my pioneer heritage and for the sacrifice they made that we might have the gospel in our lives today.

I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and thankful for all the many blessings that we have received it.

In The Name Of Jesus Christ, Amen

My final thoughts on my special Mother. 

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

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 help strengthen mine.

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

Thanks, Mom, for the many hours you spent sewing me dresses and clothes through the years. Your dresses were so 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 the girl's camp, I came home to 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; I witnessed first time the love you had for each other, and it helped me, love, even more. 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 for beyond any thanks I could ever give.

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

A special shoutout to my awesome Daughter's and Daughter in laws and Granddaughter in laws; wishing for you an extra fantastic Mother's Day Celebration. We love you!

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mother's out there. I believe that all women are mothers in some way, even if they don't bare children. I am grateful for all the special women through the years that have touched my life. I have observed through the years, their lovely care for others. They are our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, teachers, nurses, and etc.  Have a blessed day, everyone!