“Quote of the Day: “Men spend their lives in anticipation, in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one advantage over every other- it is our own… We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer the tasting of them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.” Charles Caleb Colton
Yesterday was my Katesy’s 2nd birthday. I love so much about her personality, she loves balls, all kinds and she’s good with the kick and throw. She is not shy about telling you what she wants. She watches Maggie like a hawk and tries to imitate what Maggie does and Kate is not easily pushed over. If she is playing with a toy, she will fight to keep playing with it if another child tries to take it away. And, she is fearless. Last week, at the pool, she and I went down the slide many, many times. She would sit on my lap, legs out-stretched, a smile on her face as wide as a mile, and yell “weee…” all the way down. I am marking my cancer free years by Kate’s birthdays. Tomorrow, I will be a year out of chemo. If I make it to Kate’s 8th birthday without a recurrence, doctors say I have licked this thing!
Katesy turns 2 with Wheels on the Bus cake made by her mom, Mary
A few weeks ago, Joe and I traveled to St. George for a family reunion honoring Joseph and Polly Knight and particularly for us, their lineage, son Newell and his wife Lydia Goldthwaite Knight. The organization of this reunion was amazing, so much work had been done to make all run smoothly. We enjoyed a fireside in the St. George tabernacle, this beautiful building dedicated in 1876. I sat in the balcony admiring the architecture and stunning windows that required incredible sacrifice of the early saints and founders. I overlooked a group of people that I was happy to call my relatives. Earlier that evening, my Mom hosted a barbecue with my Aunt Anne and her children. Growing up, I had a favorite cousin, Judy. She was a few months older than me and I thought so much wiser. I really looked up to her and have such fond memories of our time together as children. I especially loved going to their home in Draper, when there were few homes and lots of open land. They had cows, horses and chickens and we roamed the hills looking for gold. It was all about time spent outdoors in good old fashioned, creative play. I still admire Judy so much, she is beautiful, kind, and thoughtful. We both look to my Grandma Vernessa’s example as we live our lives.
I remember watching Judy’s mother, Aunt Anne, especially from the back seat of a car. She is a very strong woman. Hardworking and determined, she loves to tell a good story. She has been such a dominate figure in shaping her children’s lives for the better. Never shy about voicing her opinion, her children grew up knowing where she stood on every issue and most have followed her example. She and her husband Stan, now stand over a legacy of grandchildren and great grandchildren, an astounding number. We went to the fireside together and took in these powerful words regarding our ancestors including stories of how they lived their lives and what major decisions they made that are benefitting us today. We sat next to Erin and Mark to honor these pioneers.
I am also indebted to my Uncle Newell who has painstakingly documented family history with the most detailed stories and pictures. It truly has been his life’s work as he has meticulously searched and recorded materials. I have a former neighbor with whom I share a common ancestor and she wrote to alert me to this fabulous website she had found. I was happy to tell her that it was my Uncle Newell’s site!
I feel a huge responsibility to live my life in a way that would positively reflect the way my ancestors conducted themselves. I literally believe that their blood flows through my veins, that their DNA is matched with mine in a way that I can’t deny. I am forever indebted to them for making positive, difficult decisions with the hope that their children’s children would be better because of their sacrifice. I marvel at Lydia Knight’s fortitude. I’m sure they had to keep going because there was no where else to turn. Their backs were literally up against a wall in a way we have no way of understanding today. They would lose their lives if they didn’t continue on and in so many ways, women especially, their options were limited. They were forced to marry in order to survive. I have heard many of my relatives say, “If Lydia could do it, I can also do this hard thing”. So here’s my way of saying thanks!
At Lydia’s Grave Rededication in St. George, Aunt Anne Bonham, Joanie, Joe, Suzanne and Scott Bonham, Beverly Bonham
No comments yet.