60 Years of Celebrating Life

60 years old sounds so old, but I really don't feel old at all. However, this year, I really wanted to "Celebrate Life!" Especially since Julie Kaye brought a beautiful little girl into the world and gave her my name,"Sydnee." My wonderful neighbor, Monica Martin's, upon hearing of my inner most desire to "celebrate life," cleaverly was offered to host a party in my behalf. However, the cross winds blew information into my ears, that my Honey Timmy wanted to do the same thing. With these two together, I knew my celebration would be W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! Setting a date, I was given strick instructions, "Ask no questions, read nothing, no looking in bags, take a good nap on the day of the event, and dress nice!" With that in mind, I walked around the house conviently blind and dumb for 3 weeks. However.....there was another surprise in store! Julie Kaye was talking with Monica and they decided to hold a surprise party for Timmy (seeings his birthday is March 29th) the Sunday prior to my celebration. Now Timmy hates surprises......but I knew he would be so distracted and caught up in the making of my celebration, it would be an easy task to pull off. Once again, sneaky Monica conviently called to ask us over for Sunday dinner so she & Tim could finalize some of "Syd's party arrangements." Tim agreed. When we walked in, our children & grandchildren (with the exception of Alan's family who live in Colorado) were all gathered to greet Tim in a "Happy Birthday" song.
It was so exciting to see Tim absolutely speechless. But wait! Marvelous Monica was not yet finished. Little did I know that she and Julie Kaye were in kahoots and had yet another surprise. Monica said, "Before we start to eat dinner, Ori and I have a present for both Syd and Tim, but we have to go downstairs. It's too heavey to carry up here. So the entire family marched down the stairs into Monica's large T.V. room. There in the middle of the room was a large box. (Now you have to know Monica! She is a woman with a heart of gold that is bigger than Mt. Timpanoges and she is always treating the Crockett's with her abundant love.) All's I could ask myself is, "What NOW!"
This gift was the best gift of all. Colorado had come to Utah and our family was 100% here to celebrate life with us! Words cannot express our feelings of joy! Now Monica and Tim didn't get much done on my birthday surprise, but we enjoy a house full of active children, wall to wall laughter and exchange. And I think for the first time, Ori saw alot of the rambuckeous side of the Crockett family. (Ori is such a gift to life!....He truly loves his Monica and supports her 110% in evertything she wants to do. Quietly in the back ground he provides a palace for his queen to brighten and lift whom ever his queen brings home. And this week, he has endured much "CROCKETT" activity.
March 24th is my actual birthday, and I had a wonderful day. My girls have been trying for years to have me look and be feminine and today the picked me up at 10:30, took me over to Macey's Department store and made me try on clothes that "LOOKED GOOD!" Mary Ann, Julie Kaye, Karen,and Angela Joy (my adopted daughter)all went in the dressing room with me as I tried on several outfits. I smile and giggle inside as they primped and pampered me, straightening every wrinkle or adjusting the fall of my blouse. Then I was told to take little Dayton away to play as they discussed finances and selected what I got to take home. Once welcomed back into the fold, I was escorted back to the dressing room to change into one of my new outfits prior to going to lunch. What fun, that these beautiful daughter love me so much. Appropriately dressed, we walked over to P.F.Changes where Hauni & Becca joined us for lunch. M-m-m-M-m-m I do love P.F.Changes! It has to be one of my all time favorites.....especially when I'm surrounded with many of my all time favorite women.

Finally Friday March 27th arrived and it was the day of my big celebration. Tim & Monica were glad that I had arranged with my dear friend Shauna Harker to go to the Mt. Timpanoges Temple in the morning. (It has been a tradition of Shauna's & mine to meet each year on our birthdays and spend the morning in the temple. Her temple-Jordan River on her birthday and my temple-Mt. Timpanoges on mine.) This meeting is always such a sacred occurance. Shauna & I have always been able to go deep inside our souls with each other and we share spirit to spirit so easily. She chose to wear the temple dress I gave her years ago when acting upon a prompting in behalf of her deceased mother. She also had her mother's temple apron on. Grace Aldridge was very close today. We met at 8 a.m. and left the temple at 1:15 p.m......if that gives you any idea of exchanges. We always plan to go eat lunch, but our spiritual time together is so precious to us.......food just doesn't equate.
I was home by two to take my "required nap." Sleeping in the day is not easy for me, but I managed to relax and unwhined for an hour. Then Karen & the kids came over and it was time to get ready. I was excited. Pictures will have to define the evening. It was by far the most rewarding experience I've had in years. Dear people who have literally embraced my life-time came to celebrate life with me. My children were quick to help set up, linger & visit then support by clean up after. My life is full and I am a blessed woman. Thank you, to one and all for your love. And a special thank you to Timmy.....who worked so hard finding my loved ones, and Monica & Ori for all there work sending evites and hosting this celebration. You will never know what a precious gift you have given to me. There's only one thing that I love more than my husband, children and friends.........it's my Grandchildren! The evening of March 27th, 2009 at the Ori & Monica Martin's home was one of the most excellerating evenings in my life. To reunite with friends that span a life time and to review our memories together and then to read their written messages of love will remain in my heart for a long long time. Thank you Timmy, Thank you Ori, Thank you Monica for all your planning, searching, sneaky surprises and for creating a special day that spanned my life-time! There are no words to express my deepest gratitude. WHAT A PARTY!!!!!

Peggy & Corwin Ogborn offer a birthday song from younger years. A wonderful treat!

Grandma's Spring Dream Come True

I guess this is when the "Tomboy" in me really comes out. Having been raised on a large farm with plenty of boys and no girls to play with, creation was a big part of my life. Tree cabins, hay bail cabins, underground cabins, swings in barns or from tree to tree then dropping into a large water pond.....I was always outside creating something. Well does it surprise anyone that when I decided to have Brian Young help me build a shed I thought to myself, "I'll have four walls and a roof, why not make it two stories and have a cabin for the grand kids!" We'll call it,"A Shabin" since its a Shed & a Cabin combined. And that's exactly what we did. I do have to admit I did get a little carried away because Brian brought in power.....so we did windows, doors, wall boarded, paint, with a border & theme inside. It has a TV & VCR as well as a trundle bed for sleep overs. It even has a deck to jump off of onto the trampoline! Let's face it, it's by far my most ultimate cabin. Kind of my "Finale Cabin".....I think! Just prior to Brian laying up the wall board inside, I wrestled with the idea of putting in a zipline post. Several nights I went back & forth, back & forth with the idea. However, once I mentioned it to Brian, he was all over the idea. Now it's March 14th, and my spring creation juices are running on high. Grandpa called from Provo to ask if there was anything I needed him to pick up while he was down there. He knows me well, and didn't hesitate to stop by Standard Masonry to pick me up a load of sand to fill up the enlarged sand box we have in the back yard. Now it's time to create the ZIPLINE! Oh, yah!Travis and Ryan, my two wonderful & willing son-in-laws gave me some of their most precious time to "Make my Zipline dream HAPPEN!" They are both creators and so flexible to go up and down ladders.....fly through the air on the trampoline.....up and down....up and down until the joy of all creation was complete. Ryan gave it the pilot run to see if the cherry tree branch would hold. Soon the neighbors were over, the baby seat put on, and life and laughter was the filling the air. My total joy was watching the children delight in having fun in our back yard. Even Grandpa jumped in and trimmed back the apple tree so that every Zip-run was safe for all. I don't know why these kinds of things give me so much satisfaction and joy......but they do & I love it.I'll probably never ride the thing, but seeing Candice running along beside her giggling 1 year old Cooper, or little Cory from next door break out giggling when you have to work hard to get this kid to smile ........well......it's just heaven to me. Mary Ann knows Ryan well enough that it was no surprise to see 6 month old Dayton tucked into the Zipline seat with his blanket ready to take a maiden voyage. Oh what laughter and fun we had Saturday afternoon! Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much Travis & Ryan for making this ole Grandma so happy. I was as excited as a child waiting for Christmas morning. And this was the best one ever! It's easy to snap off the little baby seat and snap on the Cyclone seat that Ryan is holding for the older kids. They just get on the balcony of the Shabin and jump on the seat to fly across the backyard. To create the fullness of joy we just throw in a little tea party with hot chocolate & PB & J's, a big high flying push in the tire swing and bat a few rounds on the hanging base ball and it's a great party at Grandma & Grandpa Crockett's house. You know, we as Grandparents never like to hear our grandchildren cry......but there's a certain satisfaction that comes when they cry because they don't want to go home!

Meet the Most Wonderful Kids on Earth

Let me introduce my friends to the most incredible children on the face of this earth. From oldest to youngest: This is our first granddaughter Chelsie with her little brother Cooper. Chelsie will be #15 years old in May and has been the "Grand Teacher" of our family. Being born 2 1/2 months premature, Chelsie has cerebral palsey, scolliosis, and is blind. Her physical disabilities have been the means for making our family look far beyond "the norm" and realizing that out of small and simple things, great things are made manifest. She has given her parent experiences that has reached deep within their souls & pulled celestial performance to the surface. Those who take time to know Chelsie find a rare & precious prize. A year after Chelsie was born she received her own personal angle to assister her from beyond the veil. A little sister named C.J.(Candice Junior.....because she looked so much like her mother) was delivered still born in much the same way Chelsie came. C.J. has been very interactive with our family from the other side of the veil working with her Uncle Michael.(Scott's youngest brother)

Samuel Craig Crockett will be 11 years old in April and is one of the most sensative, gentle and kind young man I have ever known. He is smart, very coordinated, and surrenders his will to the needs of others around him very gently and quietly. The only honor Sam enjoys is making a power goal on his Olympic Soccer team......and even then its self satisfaction that he enjoys. However, he & Grandma love making apple pies together. Sam is the oldest brother of his family because he's a Sam....a Hyrum type brother, who stands firm and true even when his younger siblings recieve honors.

Abigail "Sue" (as I call her.....she really doesn't have the name of Sue) Abby has been "divine" since her birth. The heaven's opened & revealed her name & her coming and she's been our angel ever since. She's an actor, a singer, a pianist, an artist, and a all around little lady. She is the best big sister to her siblings and a great support to her parents. Abby is the first granddaughter to come to Grandma's house for weekly art lessons. A habit I hope to have many more grandchildren explore.
Chase R. will turn 9 years old in August. Chase describes exactly how he lives his life. Chasing after his older brother Sam and doing everything he tries to do. Chase seems indistructable... he's taken more falls, broken more bones and seen more doctors in his short life time. Yet deep within Chase is a tender memory bank of what is most precious & valuable. TRADITIONS! Silly things like shoes full of candy, birthday bottles and regular recognitions are priceless to this little guy on the run. Why, he can stand the hair up on the back of his mothers neck faster than any in his siblings but at the same time he melts her heart. When Chase plays soccer he's like lightning & can out run the fastest.

Benjamin David turned 7 in August and other than his Dad, he's the only boy in his family. But he's the perfect boy for his placement. He's so sweet, he melt your heart with his tender squeezes and sincere, "I love you Grandma" or "Thanks for _____." He never forgets! He is the most grateful child I have ever met. His Dad tries to make him rough and tough, but I hope Ben never looses his sensativity to his sisters and his genuine acts of kindness.
This is "Conman." He's Elle's older brother and her very best friend. He loves and cares for this little sister with such tenderness & concern. Connor will be 6 in May and this little tike is one determined and hard headed dude. He likes "order & routine" and if you step out of his percieved order........watch out! Connor & I love to paint, draw, and design pumpkins together. He always knows exactly what he wants and we love creating together.

Allie is counting down the days until July 26 when she turns 4 years old and gets to have her "Happy Happy Birthday Party." I already have my invitation on the fridge! She delivered it weeks ago in total anticipation. Allie is far beyond her years in thinking, expressions, facing fears, and problem solving. She's equal in friendship with her mother Candice and will surely take any opportunity to give you personal instructions, private lessons, or even emotional therapy! And she's good too! I think she might be the first Kindergarten Student Teacher.
3 big brothers with lots of energy and this little beauty called Elle, keeps right up with them. Dresses are a pain, but give her a bike, a scooter, or a skate board and she's as happy as any child. No flies on this one and doesn't miss a game, a party or any activity that her brothers are participating in.....which is 4 out of 5 weekdays. Her quiet time is sitting on your lap and reading books.....sometimes over and over again. She just turned 3 in December and when Grandma asks when she's coming to her house.....she runs to tell's her mother, "I have to go to Grandma's tomorrow!" Oh....if there were a way for all grandchildren to live just across the street! What fun I would have!

Samantha Michelle's hair is natually curley just like her mothers and her darling eyes and broad smile can melt and burn marshmellows. Samantha turns 3 on March 8 along with Uncle Travis. Her best bud is her older brother Ben and her favorite mothers are Becky & Aunt Michelle. Becca keeps her dressed to the hilt so she grabs everyone's eyes, Her expressions & natural shiness demands her a lot of adoration. She's the big sister now that Isabelle has arrived.

Mr. Max loves balls! He's been indoctrinated by his father and they practice daily. When Daddy's home....it's all ball! But when he's a Grandma, it the cars and the race track. Max has the most beautiful deep brown eyes like his mother....Grandma really loves them. And if you can be really quiet & listen carefully, he has perfect pitch and sings memorizes songs incredibly. Max turns 3 in August, and this year Grandma & Grandpa Crockett get to join Grandma & Grandpa Casper at Priest Lake to celebrate this big occasion.

Cooper is a remake of his father Scottie. He looks so much like him, that it's like watching a rerun of a good movie. His smile is like a flash light on a dark night and I love that he knows me. His older sister tries to be his mother and yet Candice works very hard to allow him discovery and independance. One thing we all know about Cooper (who just turned 1 year old in February)......he loves and needs his mother! Candice waited patiently for over 20 years for this little angel to come to her and now Cooper is determined his mother can't stay away from him very long. If he makes it through Sunday School and Relief Society with Grandma.....it's a miracle. Now Mom comes to Relief Society.....so he's safe and secure.

Little Dayton, 6 months old, is patient, tolerant, and the light of his parents life. His big eyes and long eye lashes demands your love & attention. He comes over to Grandma's on a regular bases since Dad is off to school studying most of the time. But the Aunties just can't get enough of this bright eyed, happy little boy. He just loves to smile and play.

Little Izzy (as I call her)... it's actually Isabelle Delight...who is just 3 months old seems almost like a stranger to me. With her so mother involved with the 3 older ones school and my just being neglectful....I haven't gotten to know this little beauty. I do know that she comes from a different mold than the first 3. You can certainly tell she is from Davy & Becca, but she just has a different look about her. I've got to do better visiting this little princess.
And here is little Sydnee Sage getting her hair done for the first time. Coming from the womb of a beautitian, doing her dark curley hair will be a common event. Little Sydnee and I share some thing in common with each other........our name! What an honor for me! I'm sure this little lady will have a much better chance of becoming a lady than her Grandma who is still in training. Grandma grew up with 14 neighbor boys! It was tree cabins & boy activities for Grandma......but with Julie Kaye as little Sydnee's mother..... she will be all little girl. (You can see better pictures in the following blog entry)

We have 15 perfect Grandchildren and hopefully many more to come! The reason they are so perfect is because they have such good parents who love being active and involve parents who love and honor the Lord. Tim & I feel very blessed to have a good posterity.

#15 Grandchild Brings Me to Tears

I hope I can put into words my feelings this past week. I’ve pondered them a lot, and I’m not sure there are words to express it. But here’s an attempt!
This year has been such a treat to watch our daughters be pregnant and bring life into this world. First Mary Ann last August.......who scared the hebee jeebee’s out of me when little Dayton didn’t breathe for 4 minutes after birth. Mary Ann & I have been spiritually connected since our being womb-mates together. And when I sensed trouble while she was in labor, I went to the hospital to check in. It became pretty obvious to me, that the cord was wrapped around the babies neck because of the way his heart beat plummeted each time she had a contraction. But Mary Ann was determined to deliver this little guy vaginally and it was hard for me to leave the hospital when she asked me to, because she and Ryan wanted this experience to be just theirs. When she called the next morning.........drained & relieved that the nurses & doctors had gotten her little guy back to life......I exploded into tears. My prayers and my fears were comfortably tanked in my heart and just erupted after her “report” call. Then the miracle of this marvelous woman unfolded as I watched her focus her total attention on being the most attentive and loving mother on earth. As usual, she had to learn to lay down her own life and routine to do......and that wasn’t always easy......but she did it. And I was glad she lived right across the street so I could witness her motherhood develop right before my eyes during her regular visits.
Then Julie Kaye, revealed she was pregnant. I ate her announcement in a dinner roll she had prepared for a family dinner. What a mother! But Julie Kaye is my morning work out & gym partner.....and she hid it very well during her first 3 months. She has worked hard moving into her new home and creating a “heavenly” environment for her little princess. And Travis is such a supportive husband. Julie Kaye’s needs are his first priority and she knows it! He works so hard to provide for her and has created such a foundation of security long before hitting his 25 year of life.(He’s really pretty amazing!)
Isabelle was born in November, and it’s such a rejoicing phone call when David calls to invite me to the births of his children. Becca is so sweet to let me sharing in their experiences and it’s a humbling feeling to see your son explode with excitement when he has “another little girl.” Followed by, “Oh my gosh! I’m going to have 3 weddings.......I’d better start saving now!” Isabelle had some complications and had to be whisked away to the nursery for attention. But the thing I love the most, is the tender sweet love Becca offers each of her children. Protective like a mother hen, yet human enough to realize that she lays down more than most to be a good mother. It’s different with a daughter in law.......because she leans heavily toward her mother. The children expose the “real” feelings with the expression in their voices and faces when you visit their home. And Becca’s sister Michelle lives in their basement and is always upstairs and so my love comes way down the priority line. Becca treats me with genuine care and love. It’s just a different feeling.
February 17, 2009 at 3:45 a.m. I got the call that Julie Kaye’s water had broken and she was in the hospital! My heart jumped with joy.......but it took a great leap when she asked if I wanted to come and be apart of her experience. Man, I was out of bed, left Tim a note, and sitting in the parking lot of the hospital by 4:15.
Travis was really sick. He couldn’t hold anything down & didn’t feel well at all. He tried eating a cracker, or a drink of sprite to settle his stomach, but it didn’t help. Julie was dilated to 6 and 7% effaced. So I thought it was just a couple of hours until the baby would come, but the nurses kept coming in and having her change sides to lay on, and her labor would stop. She drank 3 large containers of raspberry cranberry juice (which was an absolute no-no in my day of delivery) and I was surprised to see her keep every ounce of it down. At 7:30, Julie called Mary Ann to see if she could bring her video recorder over. (Julie thought I had one.) Mary Ann loaded up Dayton and came right over. When I went down to pick it up, Mary Ann asked if she could come up to say “Hi.” Julie Kaye, said, “Sure!” After she arrived, Julie Kaye asked her if she wanted to stay for the delivery. Now that was a “No brainer!” Mary Ann made sure it was "really okay for her to stay" then she & Dayton settled in for the big event. Dayton took care of Uncle Travis.
At 8:30 they checked her, and she was +2, 100% effaced and her cervic was all the way thinned. Travis saw his Dad’s truck in the parking lot and called to make sure. It was them, and they were just waiting for a call. Travis invited them to come up. It was a party......but Travis still felt horrible. Travis and little Dayton hung out on the couch together. (Dayton is the most patient baby around.....if not, Mary Ann couldn’t have stayed for this special event.) Vicki suggested Howard giving Travis a blessing. With no hesitation, Howard was on his feet and to the side of his beloved son. This was a great gift for Travis and he wept. Soon the nurse came in and told us that at 10, we would start pushing! FINALLY.....I thought! With Mary Ann holding one leg and me holding the other, Julie started the pushing process. She only pushed two sets of 2-10 second pushes when they told her to stop and they rushed for the doctor. Even I could see the baby’s crown.....and she had lots of curley black hair! The doctor was there in 5 minutes. Mary Ann & I were commanded to take pictures and have the nurses helped Julie Kaye with her knees. Once again it was only two sets of 2-10's and pop......the baby was here! “Okay, what’s her name?” I asked. Julie Kaye replied, “Let the doctor clean me up and we’ll go get Vicki and Howard and tell everyone at the same time.” I was still clueless and didn’t even think anything when Julie Kaye told Mary Ann she was the only one to use her camera. Soon Vicki and Howard came in the room and had their turn seeing and holding the baby. Travis went over and picked up a plastic grocery bag. Julie Kaye said, “Give it to Mom, Travis and let’s see how long it takes her to unscramble the letters and find the name.” I was still naive to the surprise that awaited me. I stood at the bottom of the bed admiring the beauty of the letters in the bag. Then I started pulling them out one by one: S–Y–D (at that point I could see the remainder of the letters in the bag and I started to tear up) N–E–E. Even writing this moment out, I well up into tears. I sobbed. Then they handed me the baby......Little Sydnee Sage Gardner my name sake. I couldn’t help think of my mother who just died just one year ago tomorrow (February 18, 2008) and remember her seeing my name spelled in a newspaper article and liking it. Now not only was her daughter named Sydnee, but her great grand-daughter.
I’ve had other children named after me. First Sydnee Heaton when I was in the hospital with my appendix and her mother, Caroline, had the best of times together. Then Sydnee Schow of Lehi, because they appreciated who and what I was to their daughters. Mindy Francis Young has always told me that she wanted to name her daughter Sydnee.....and I’ve always loved that. But to have one of your children love you enough......with all your weaknesses and frailties and consider putting your name with the love & sacrifices they have already made to prepare for their coming.......well theirs just not words to express it. Not to mention.....the first name which will be repeated millions of times in her life time. And to have a son-in-law respect you enough to agree with my daughter to call & wear your mortal label. It was a greatly treasured gift from both Travis & Julie Kaye. And there I was.....by Julie Kaye’s side witnessing her newly born daughter come into this world.



All of our children have significance to their names









T. Scott(Timothy Scott) after his Dad-Timothy and Uncle Scott McClellan
Alan Craig.....Alan because we loved the name and Craig after Craig Tassainer
David Thomas.....David --Tim’s middle name and Thomas after my Dad (not to mention I have always loved the name David and wanted a Davy Crockett)
Aaron Jacob......our temple name....we were sitting in the Provo Temple, I opened the Book of Mormon and saw the name Aaron and it fit with my mothers maiden name Jacob
Julie Kaye is named after Tim’s mother’s middle name Juliette and my Grandmother Kate We just removed both the “t’s”
Mary Ann after my mother and both paternal & maternal great grandmothers......but more because it was the name that I loved and called myself for years as a child
And of course.....Shauna Lynn.......being named after Shauna Harker and Linda Christensen......my two life long friends who kept me alive when Shauna Lynn was in embro.You give children names that have significant meaning to you. With little Sydnee Sage in my arms I could help but reflect as Julie Kaye’s life flooded through my mind. My little treasure and gift to my father who had waited almost 17 years between granddaughters
(16 straight grandsons in between Mary Charis and Julie Kaye.) And Julie Kaye was the epitome of femininity from the moment she came to this world. But she has been my little main stay.....my primary support in creating courage & joy in our home. She was the perfect older sister to her two younger sisters......and mothered them as her own. Especially when I had to go to work. She was so deeply conscientious the girls needs and totally aware of my deep pain & hurt about leaving my home & children to earn money.She has been Mary Ann’s model for righteousness & making good decisions. Throughout her life time, Julie has taught me how to be a lady, how to dress, and has been my friend. To even grasp the very thought that Julie Kaye’s love for me is so deep that she would name her first born after me.....is by far the deepest acknowledgment. After spelling out my name on the end of her delivery bed, I looked up to see Julie Kaye crying right along with me. Thanks to Angie Joy, she & Julie Kaye cut magazines up to decorate each individual letter beautifully and delicately so to be set on the shelf above Sydnee’s crib. (Sydnee’s room has become my favorite room since Julie Kaye decorated it. It is so unique in design and alive with Julie Kaye’s artist abilities.)As you can see, a hundred feelings have serge through me, since that moment at 11:00 a.m. on February 17th. I am feeling so much honor, so much rejoicing .....yet at the same time so much responsibility to keep “good works & integrity” alive in me. I cried each time I called my dearest friends....each cried with me as I rehearse the mornings events. Each time I wrote my name on a credit receipt,I felt a serge of gratitude go through me. I had to fight off my tears of joy at the register. I can’t describe the feelings I’m having. The stories that will follow the name Sydnee Sage will hear. I know Julie Kaye loves me.......I hope she listens to her mothers stories. Thoughts came of my own grandmothers.....how I felt so detached and less valued from my Grandma Price and how I felt so beloved and respected by my Grandma Jacobs. “What was the difference?” I asked myself........how can I make sure that all of my grandchildren feel accepted, secure and that kind of binding love from me.
I remember the picture collage of my Dad that I made and gave to each member of his posterity when their was a battle of a single picture. On it I wrote the scripture from Helaman, chapter 5 verse 6: “Behold, I have given unto you the names of our parents.....This I have done that when you remember your name ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said....they were good.” I hope that always how Sydnee Sage feels about me.

FOREVER STRONG

In late September, I had the opportunity to go to the Premier Showing of "Forever Strong" with Julie Kaye and Mary Ann in Salt Lake. Of course we made an afternoon of it and went to dinner first....(which we ended up eating in the theatre due to time restraints!) Nevertheless, the message of this movie, became the Crockett 2008 Christmas Theme. "Name 3-5 thing that you feel you will have to do to remain Forever Strong." This expression time is by far my favorite gift at Christmas. I love hearing the insights and feelings of our children and this year was especially special. Listening to each one of them express their commitments to themselves, their wives & families, and their faith. Feelings just seem to invite the spirit and then each gift has more meaning. The older I become, the more precious simple things become to me. This was the very first Christmas in my entire life that I spent it without my mother here on earth. Having had a diligent & faithful mother, along with watching my children create families, I have had some very sensitive feelings about the power of a mother. My mother laid down a great portion of her life for her 4 children. Especially when my 2 brothers fell victim to polio. My older sister by 10 years became responsible for so many of the demands of the 13 acre farm Mother & Dad had just purchased and being the baby of the family, I became Mother's comforter. (Interesting enough, throughout my life, my roll never changed.)As I grew older, I lacked wisdom and like most youth, I was selfish, and expected much more from my mother than what she could give. Then I became a mother and the reality of her sacrifices became more clearly defined. I see now that she gave me her very best and only took for herself what she needed to stay balances and happy herself. Now she has moved on to a far better life, and I am standing in her shoes listening to my own children. My Dad left 17 years ago.....probably to go build a palace for his sweetheart! His eyes were always focused on making my mother happy. Leaving her behind, was the hardest thing he had to do and I knew as I watched the last tear run down his cheek, that it was the most pain filled moment in his life to have to move forward without her by his side. But Dad was the rock of our families security. He was the epitome of love, tenderness and could stop time with his hugs. He worked every moment of his life to bring happiness and joy to his wife and children. And the power of his influences has reached into the lives of so many of his posterity. In death, his example and love stands forever strong. His name echoes itself in grandchildren & great-grandchildren names. Simple coins to silver dollars remind them of "doing good and making right decisions." This Christmas, he and mother are together forever.....quietly checking in and attending to our earthly prayers. Oh, the power of parents. Standing strong in faith.....even when children shoot arrows of correction and change. Allowing perfect agency......mistakes.....and a quiet tongue is all part of the great eternal plan. Continual prayers of faith-filled parents seeking a higher power than their own to open paths for their own children's learning. Constantly petitioning for watchful & care-filled protection over them. As time marches forward, I've come to realize that somethings just don't matter......but simple gentle loving things always will. It's taken me a life time to realize that. And being a parent taught me to appreciate the simple consistent sacrifices my parents & grandparents made for me and mine. Here's a picture when I was in my first year of college with my Grandmother Kate, my favorite niece Cheri, and my own mother. 4 generations of life.....moving forward.....attempting to make little special moments into sacred memories. That's what keeps you "Forever Strong." Life is all about "Memories & Remembering them." Looking back now I see that my mother worked so hard trying to correct us and my father just chose to encourage our choices by loving us. Together they made a perfect team because both parts are necessary, but love and acceptance holds the most power. Making right decisions is always the key to success. Having the righteous decisions confirmed in tenderness is the art of good parenting. In the movie, "FOREVER STRONG" the key to their success is to not do anything to dishonor or embarrass yourself, your family, or your ancestors who have gone before you. Playing your position with personal commitment and power is totally individual. Connecting with a team is being committed to 'your position.' That very idea took me a life time to learn. Looking at my own family, with my husband, and within my faith......I can see that philosophy echoing in every direction. And yet it has taken me almost 60 years to learn the precious nature of that very idea. It took me almost 45 years to believe that my Heavenly Father truly loved me as a person and has always embraced me with His divine love. That new reality was a year when claiming my divine nature and individual worth set me free to fly with the angels. I had been living in a belief that "If you really knew me, you wouldn't love me" and denying the processes of my life could be anything but divinely orchestrated. With one belief change....all of sudden I was set free....knowing I was of worth & that my life had purpose which was almost more than I could comprehend. The Savior of this world had truly atoned for my weaknesses and poor decisions and I was free to become divine. Even though I had dedicated my life to being a good wife and mother.....suddenly my life was set free to become even more valuable. My life time of learning could now be a resource of knowledge to assist and help others. My sweet daughter Mary Ann gave me a precious book for Christmas this year all about "Grandma Crockett." I am so blessed to have a family of STRONG people who are willing to let go of my weaknesses and hold on to my strengths. As we sat in our Christmas circle and listened to each other's commitments to be "Forever Strong," I am so grateful for all my ancestors who have gone before me & even more grateful for those who follow after me. They will be FOREVER STRONG because they know the power of loving and supporting each other.