Tender Mercies

I hesitate even writing about this, but I really want to remember it!!!
I want to talk about tender mercies, little miracles, proof that angels are among us.  And in the words of my friend, Toni, Don't call me Dumb!!!

I'm not a Comic Con type person.  I don't read comics, I don't play video games, and I know very little about Star Trek and Star Wars.  But when I heard that Weird Al Yankovic was going to be at FanX, well, I was tempted to go.

I have been a Weird Al fan since the day I heard his "Polkas on 45".  I think he's funny and creative. He has come in and out of the spotlight for the last 40 years!!! So when my KIDS discovered Weird Al, I was so happy to have fellow fans!! In fact, last year for Mother's Day, Melanie and Alec bought me tickets to see him in concert.

Even though the concert ended up being the night before V'Laines' funeral, I still HAD to go!! (I couldn't disappoint the kids- Ok, disappoint me!!!)  I don't know when I have enjoyed a concert as much as I did his!!! He was funny, entertaining and did not disappoint!  I was so amazed at the crowd- there were people there ranging from ages 10 - 90!!!

Well, Sydnee asked me to make a costume for her for FanX-or SAL Comic Con on March 17-18th.  She sent me a picture and I threw together a dress resembling "Star Butterfly".  Andrea was so appreciative, that she (and George) got me a ticket to Comic Con.  But to make it even more doable, she got 4 free kids passes.  I just KNEW my grandkids would love something like this, so I agreed.

I told Andrea that because I would be bringing 4 kids, I would need help.  She assured me that Sydnee and Abbie will love to help.  I shared my plan with her of leaving at 8:30 to be there around 9:45 to be one of the first one in.  On Friday evening, I called to confirm our plans and to see if I could just pick up Sydnee to take her with me.  Andrea then informed me that they would be staying at George's in West Jordan and would meet me there, by the silo at the Salt Palace.

On Saturday morning, Christopher, Rome, Gray and Emily, I pulled into the City Center parking.  As I did, I called Andrea to inform her that I was there.  She answered the phone groggily, saying she wasn't even awake yet! "Just watch the people and we will be there soon." - was her solution.  I didn't hurry with the kids, in fact, we played by the fountains at City Creek for a while.

We meandered over to the Salt Palace, and when I tried to call Andrea for an update, my phone had died!  I was so worried about charging the tablets for them to play with, I had neglected my phone!!

A slight panic settled in, but so did hope that Andrea would be there any moment. The kids were amazingly good, just watching people and admiring the costumes.  Feeling so helpless, I turn to the only thing I knew to do - pray!  In my heart, I pleaded, "Please encourage Andrea to come quickly.  Not just for me, but I am a little overwhelmed with trying to take care of all those kids."

As I was silently praying, a mother and a daughter walked up to me and offered her "free kids passes" for the grandkids!!! What an angel!!! I told her that I was waiting for my sister, but I really would appreciate the passes.  Now, I just needed Andrea to show up with a pass for me to get in.

A few moments later, 2 little 8-10 year old girls walked up to me and held out a wrist band.  I asked, "Is that for me?" They said, "Yes."  With tears in my eyes, I thanked the, hugged them and told them that they were angels!!! I could now take my grandkids into Comic Con.

Talk about answers to prayers!!! We toured around the Salt Palace looking for some sort of playground.  I decided since there wasn't really anything to play on, I would take them to McDonalds, buy them lunch and let them play there.

At 12:50, as we were literally walking through the exit, we ran into Andrea, Sydnee and Abbie.  I got some money, got the kids faces painted, (met Weird Al) bought them Italian Ice and left!!

We made it home at about 3:30! Way later than I had planned, but happy with the memory of my tender mercy with the wonderful earth angels!!

I miss my hero! October 2016

I still am reeling from the loss of my father.  I just can't seem to come to terms with it.  I have already gone through all the cliches'...he's in a better place, he's out of pain now, he's probably with you even more now, you'll see him again someday, so why doesn't any of them make me feel any better?

As much as anything, I HATE the idea that he isn't in Mapleton waiting for me to give him a hug.  I HATE the idea of him being gone!!! I HATE that the man who has made me feel safe and secure is not on this earth to comfort me!!!

Yeah, it's selfish! I can see all of the "me's" and "I's" in my statements.  But I know I'm not the only one who feels like this.  That in itself is a heart break.

On Breaking Bones September 2015

Being the graceful person that I am, I think I am well qualified to write this.

Here are the feelings you get when you break a bone.

The first time, it's scary!  You're in pain, you cry and you're not sure why the pain is so deep and severe.  You're afraid it could be fatal but you hope you won't die, even though you feel like you will!! Then every ache and pain afterwards is also scary.  You wonder if it is supposed to hurt like it hurts, or as long as it hurts.  People are nice to you and try to help and you appreciate it because you feel fragile. You live through it and feel like a hero.

The second time, you think, "This is awful!  Why does this have to happen to me?"  The pain is just as severe, but this time, you know it's not fatal and that is a relief! When people start being nice and helping you, you think, "  This isn't that bad. It's kind of nice to not have to deal with mean brothers!" You kind of milk it because you know they will never be nice again! You make it through and think, I can do hard things.

The third time, your first reaction is, "Oh, s#!+*!  Not again!!"  You are mad because it will ruin your plans and know that 6 weeks is too long to be without the use of an appendage.  It still hurts, but you are more mad than sore.  You think, at least your brothers and friends will be nice again, but their patience is wearing thin as well.  They're nice for a while but not as long as before! You think it's time to start taking it a little easier.

The next time, you know that you can't milk it like before because they are getting used to your clumsiness and they just make fun of you! Your reaction is very similar to the 3rd time - NOT AGAIN!!! You buck up, do your cast and/or crutches time, and vow to be more careful. You feel humbled.

By the 7th time, yes I said 7th (and that doesn't count the innumerable sprains and stitches) you go into auto pilot much like changing a baby's diaper or cleaning a toilet, you hate it but you know what to do.  You immediately announce loudly, "I'm Ok".  Then you sit and analyze the sore places.  You know that the arm and other foot is hurt, but not seriously.  You swear, not because of the all familiar pain, but because you are embarrassed and disgusted with yourself because of your lack of coordination.  You know what to do!  First you feel around with your fingers and then you test the movement of your appendage. You can feel at the point at which it is broken that this will require another cast. You carefully move to the closest soft chair and call the Doctor.  When you see him, you tell him what you did and what he needs to do to fix it.  (By this time, he knows to listen to you).

You don't want to make a fuss about it because it is nothing new.  You try to hide it and not look pathetic.  When people want to help, for first reaction is much like a 2 year old: you give them a sour look and say, "I can do it my myself!" Luckily, you know enough that when the Doctor says to stay off it for 6 weeks, you listen!

You try to laugh at it and make fun of yourself hoping that people will forget about it and not make a fuss. You just want it all to go away and are sad because you know what the next 6 weeks holds in store for you.

You start planning the next 6 weeks almost like a vacation plan.  You start recording more shows on TV, find a stack of books you want to read, by more yarn so you can knit, and divvy out all of your housekeeping responsibilities knowing that if you don't, NOTHING gets done.

You start planning your life 6 weeks in advance and VOW that you will be more careful. You live through it and STILL feel like a dork!

Then repeat!!! AARRGGHHH!!!!

Dad and Mom's Wedding Pictures-August 18, 1953

                                                          Shirley Bramall Graves

Ron and Shirley Graves

Back Row: Bert Bramall, Louise Bramall, Dee Ann Bramall, Thelma Stewart, Shirley Bramall Graves, Ronald Graves, Stan Williams, Edna Graves and James Graves.

Front Row: La Ree Phillips, Carol Bramall, Carla Barney, and Anita Richmond

Carol Bramall, Carla Barley, Anita Richmond, Shirley Graves, Thelma Stewart, Dee Ann Bramall and La Ree Phillips

Carol, Carla Anita, Ron, Shirley, Thelmas, Dee Ann and La Ree

Sign in book 

Wedding line

Gift carriers - Zina Bramall, Rex Kay Stewart, Caroldine Mason

Gift Table

Ron and Shirley with Wedding cake 

(made by Hettie Ostler)

Newspaper Announcement of Engagement

I am assuming, the last half of the reception details

The napkin

I found a couple more!!! Thanks Facebook!