In the Utah Mountains

Most of August thus far has been spent in the mountains of Utah. It certainly has greater charms than the deserts of Arizona this time of year.

Our first mountain stop, Big John's Flat in the mountains above Beaver. There we found Glen's Baker relatives camping and visiting, something they do the first full weekend of August every year.

Glen loves to visit with his maternal uncles and their spouses up on the mountain. This year there were no maternal aunts. Sometimes it's hard for them to be comfortable at such high altitudes. Big John's Flat is not far from the tree line. They were discussing another location for next year as the road leading to the Flat will be closed for repairs and stabilization next summer.

Fortunately, the following weekend we were able to visit with the maternal aunts and spouses at the Smith family reunion at the new Smith Park in Draper. We also received a copy of "The Adventures of Ralph Smith" from his sister, Reva. Ralph and Reva are both Grandma June Baker's siblings. It was actually his life story, but there is enough material there for me to write a children's book series, "The Misadventures of Ralphie." Ralph will celebrate his 96th birthday tomorrow.

We also visited with their other living sibling, Wanda, and Ralph's wife, Barbara. I was also introduced to a few cousins, including Carl Baird whom I had heard about for years. It was a nice afternoon at the park, which is located on land originally farmed by the Joseph Lauritz Smith and Melissa Fitzgerald Smith family and which Ralph took over at the death of his father.

Joseph Lauritz Smith and Melissa Fitzgerald Smith family

This picture was taken in Red Lodge, Montana in June of 1934 when some of the family went to visit with daughter, June Smith Baker and husband, Raymond Baker when Raymond worked there for a time. L to R standing back: Ralph, Ruth, Arnold, and then Melissa. Wanda is standing in front of Melissa and granddaughter, Elma (June's youngest at the time) is standing in front of Wanda. Verla is standing in front of Ralph. Joseph is seated and holding his youngest daughter, Reva and granddaughter, Rita ( June's oldest). Reva and Rita are just 23 days apart in age.

Glen worked during the week along the Wasatch Front, but the next weekend found us on the back side of the Wasatch Mountains.

We enjoyed a barbecue up on the mountain at Sundance.

Followed by a summer theater production in the amphitheater.

Can you guess what musical we were watching?

Your right! That's Maria singing her way down the mountain on her way to meet the children of Captain Von Trapp.

It was a perfect setting to watch the "Sound of Music" as the hills were truly alive with the sound of music. We loved every minute of the performance, even the sudden rail squall. It occurred during the scene where the children are all landing in Maria's bed during a thunderstorm. Perfect timing!

We began BYU Education Week classes the 2nd week. Monday was a short day, so I tagged along with Glen to Park City for a late afternoon appointment. It was a stunning drive through Provo Canyon, Heber, and on into Park City from the east. The "Tour de Utah" international bike race over the weekend was held on this same route. I couldn't resist this picture of hollyhocks in front of an old miner's home now painted purple.

Nor this sunflower back lit by the sun.

The best place to be in August has to be the Utah mountains.

A day to celebrate two ways

That little boy in the middle (you know, the one in red pants) is celebrating his 35th birthday today. How it that possible? Years fly by! His Grandma Elma bought out the red gingham at the fabric store and sewed her grandchildren matching outfits to wear to the Jensen Family Reunion at Murray City Park. Eric had just celebrated his 1st birthday.

Now he is not only a son, but a husband and father of four. I went to hear him speak to his church congregation today about fatherhood on his birthday which this year is also Father's Day. The topic was very tender to his heart, especially when he talked about becoming the adoptive father of Julianna. He is a very blessed man and I am proud to call him son.

An image from the past

This picture popped up on FB yesterday posted by Glen's cousin, Karrie. I always feel a bit off center when I see a picture from many years ago that I have never seen before. It seems as though my reality has shifted.

I knew it must be from about 1977 because the baby on Glen's father, Jordan's lap is my oldest son Eric. Glen's long hair would also date the photo even if Eric were not included. Glen's uncle John sits in front of Glen. John and Jordan married sisters. John and his wife Kathleen have lived in a home south of Kathleen's parents' home for years. Jordan and Elma built a house to the north of Elma's parents and planned to retire and live out their lives there. They did live out their lives but those lives ended much too soon. Both died in that planned retirement home, Elma from cancer before Jordan's retirement from TRW in southern California and Jordan not long after finally retiring and moving north to Utah.

Tomorrow would have been Jordan's 83rd birthday if he were still with us. He died shortly after his birthday in 1991. We would have loved to have had him with us for two more decades. This is what my daughter, Janae, wrote as a 4th grade student after his death.

"Grandpa's Funeral"

I stared down at him. My knot in my stomach grew tight every second. I looked at him. Why? Why does it have to be him?

"Stop that Janae," I told myself. I had a hundred questions in my mind waiting for an answer I'd never know. Why did he die? The knot in my stomach was so tight I thought it was going to break anytime.

"He is dead," I thought. I felt a wet tear fall down my cheek. I didn't bother to wipe it away.

He just went to sleep one night and never awoke. Never awoke to hear the sound of children sledding in the winter. Never will wake up.

I reached down, my hand trembling. I touched his icey cold finger. My hand flew back in a flash. His hand was not warm and comforting like when we went for walks. It felt like a cold drumstick on a turkey. His veins were blue, blue like an icey pond. My eyes were blurry, and I could hardly see. The knot in my stomach broke and now I had mad butterflies.

"He died of a broken heart," I thought, as some guesses flew through my mind. My grandmother had died a few years ago of cancer. I had a silly image of her dancing up there. I watched her for awhile in my mind and a smile came to me. I hadn't smiled since I found out my grandfather died. At least someone's happy I thought. A river of tears flowed down my face.

Happy birthday Jordan! I hope that you and Elma are enjoying a birthday celebration dance.

Grandparents' Day

Some days are more interesting than others. Wednesday was like that. I had returned home from a RS meeting and a stop in at the office to see if I needed to make a deposit. Glen had returned home from an appointment in north Phoenix and due to a somewhat sleepless night, had just awakened from a short nap. The door bell rang and two young women stood at the door. They were somewhat expected as mission transfers had just occurred.

Glen, the ward mission leader, welcomed them inside and seated them in the living room with ice cold glasses of water. I joined them for the introductions, Sister Holliday from Idaho then Sister Stephens from Maryland.

"Glen, don't you have family in Maryland with the last name of Stephens?" I asked.

"Yeah, my cousin, Kaylene," he replied.

"That's my MOM!" exclaimed Sister Stephens.

And so the reminiscing began. Sister Stephens is pretty young, but she vaguely remembered Grandma B and her home in Draper, especially since her grandparents (daughter of Grandma B) lived right next door to the south. I told her about the missionary board on Grandma B's dining room wall with a map of the world surrounded by pictures of her descendants with a ribbon leading to the location of where each had served as missionaries. That map was bordered shoulder to shoulder with shining faces and it was covered from top to bottom and side to side with colored ball tipped pins. I'm sure that Gina is included on her map in heaven.


Talking of Draper and Grandma B took me right back to her front porch with its view of the mountains. Family barbeques in her yard were a constant experience for our young family. My sons had just participated in the annual Easter egg hunt in this picture.

While on FB today I was reminded that it would be Grandparents Day on Sunday. The poster had also shared a story about her grandmother and challenged her FB friends to share a memory of their grandparents. I've thought about that all day and once again felt saddened that many of our grandparents had left us at a young age. I wanted to share a picture or two with my children of the grandparents that they knew personally.

Grandma B always welcomed visitors. Here are those same three great grandsons, who once sat on the porch, stopping by to say hello.

Sister Stephens remembered the toy closet in the corner of Grandma B's living room and also remembered her sitting in her favorite chair. Her husband, Raymond, passed away from cancer in August 1975 just after Glen and I were married.

Grandma B (June) had a daughter whom she named Elma. Elma married Jordon and had a son named Glen. My children were in heaven when the pickup truck with personalized plates would arrive in Arizona from California for a visit.


They also loved it when they would go to California to visit Elma. She loved to share the "happiest place on earth" with her grandchildren. When she had cancer one of her final wishes was to have ALL of her grandchildren join her on a last Disneyland visit. Unfortunately, she was unable to go with them but they returned to her home to tell her all about it.

June and Elma loved to have a good time. Whenever a new ride would open up at a Southern California amusement park, Elma would secure an airline ticket for her mother, June, so that they could be among the first in line. Unfortunately shortly after June's 80th birthday, Elma died of cancer.

Jordan didn't stay much longer. He died in his sleep a couple of years later in the home on the north side of Grandma B's in Draper where they had planned to retire together. He was a quiet, gentle, and loving man.

My mother, Velva, was a pillar of strength to all who knew her. Her husband, Gary, passed away after a long and lingering illness just short of his 50th birthday. Her life was one of service to him as well as her six children.

Velva's life ended after an 8 year battle with Alzheimer's disease. We lost her piece by piece so my youngest son, Nathan, never really knew his grandmother as she really was.

My grandfather, George Ostler, lived into his nineties. This picture was taken on his 80th birthday in Idaho Falls. His second wife, Alice, sits by his side. His daughter-in-law, Velva, as well as myself and my children, David and Janae ,were in attendance at this special party. During my childhood, I spent more time with George and my grandmother, Georgianna, than with my other grandparents. They had three sons, the oldest of whom was my father, Gary. When I, their first grandchild, was born they were thrilled to have a girl and I was often invited to spend several days and nights at a time in their home. Georgianna passed away when I was almost 12.

Glen's father Jordan's parents both passed away when Glen was quite young. My mother Velva's father passed away when I was 7 and her mother when I was a very young mother myself.

As family members have gathered to celebrate special occasions over the years, I have often wished that these special people could still be in attendance. We've missed them at mission farewells, weddings, and grandbaby blessings. Perhaps they have been closer than I knew.

Faith, Family, Freedom

Nathan and Nichelle gave their first-born son a name and a blessing during sacrament meeting at the Kleinman Park Ward yesterday afternoon. Oscar's father, grandfather, uncles, great uncle, and a cousin circled around him as his father used his priesthood authority to name him and then gave him a blessing for his earthly life. It was a special occasion and one filled with memories.


34 years earlier, Glen and I also blessed and named our first born son on July 4th. The year was 1976, our great nation's bicentennial birthday. It was a very special day as have been all the baby blessings in our family. When Nathan was a new missionary in Brazil, his brother David was to bless his 2nd daughter, Sadie. We were missing having Elder Jensen with us, but in his next e-mail home he shared with us a tender mercy. He had been asked to bless a little girl in Brazil on the same Sunday, thus sharing this special experience with his brother.

Oscar looked so sweet in his new outfit. His grandpa told me that not only did he not cry during his blessing but that he smiled three times!

Elma June Baker Jensen, Glen Jay Jensen, June Smith Baker
and Melissa Fitzgerald Smith holding Eric Jordan Jensen
July 4, 1976

As we shared a meal together later at Nate and Nichelle's new home, Glen shared with everyone the special privilege of having five generations present for Eric's blessing. We were not so fortunate yesterday, but as Nathan blessed Oscar telling him that angels would watch over him, I knew that some of those angels would be his great grandparents and that they were aware of us meeting together in that chapel.



Later in the evening most of the family met back at our home for "Grandpa's Amazing Light Show" and Nate's not so legal fireworks plus some delicious homemade vanilla ice cream with brownies and toppings. It was grand kid nirvana!

Eric's Photo of Toby

This morning, Glen, Raymond, and Henry decided to set some balloons free in honor of the many freedoms that we enjoy.

As they let them go,

Grandpa told the boys that they were going all the way to the moon!

Memorable Memorial

It isn't often that we are in Utah for Memorial Day. We enjoyed the opportunity this year to visit the grave sites of those we love and miss. We appreciate the many years that our children have represented us by visiting their grandparents' graves over the years on Memorial Day.

It was all the more special as Glen's mother was born on May 24 and my father on May 26.

It's hard to believe that Elma has been gone for 22 years. She made a special trip to Mesa for Nathan's baby blessing on her way home from attending Grandma Baker's 80th birthday bash. We feel it was a blessing that she was able to hold her youngest and last grandchild before her passing.

She and Grandpa J are buried in Sandy, Utah in the shadow of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

My parents are buried in Provo, Utah, a place that my mother loved. She began her love affair as a student at BYU made possible through the GI Bill. She was the first college student ever in her family.

She met Gary after her studies and after he wrote the woman in this picture while on his mission. I found this picture the other day and wanted to share it. I am the owner of the cedar chest in the entry because he received a "dear John" and the chest reverted to my grandmother who in turn left it to me filled with her treasures. Both Gary and Elma died in their fifties. So young! We will always think of both of them on their birthdays.

Velva's and Gary's grave site also lies in view of the beautiful mountains.

We were also able to visit the graves of Glen's grandparents in the Draper City Cemetery.

They also lie near the mountains. Utah was so green and beautiful.

Grandpa Jordan would have been 81 today

If Glen's father, Jordan, were still with us, he would have celebrated his 81st birthday today. This picture was taken in front of the home on 135th Street in Hawthorne, California which he and Elma purchased brand new in about 1956. He lived there until he retired from TRW at age 62. The last few years in this home were lonely because his cherished Elma passed away just two and a half months after Nathan was born. Nathan is the baby in this picture and this was his second trip from Arizona to California. The first had been a visit with just his mother and father when they received the word that the cancer had won. Nathan was the last of Jordan and Elma's grandchildren. Elma was pleased to have met him before she left us. The pickup in the background had speciality plates, " JJ Elma."

It seemed sad that Nathan didn't have any grandparents with him in the temple as he and Nichelle were married. And then I felt all four of them and realized that they were aware of Nate and Nichelle and were sharing our joy.

The stockings were hung. . .

and now they are filled. Please make sure to check your five toed stocking sometime Christmas Day. You may find a surprise, but not much candy!

Your father's stocking is the oldest one. It was made for him by his mother before I was in the picture. Glen came to Arizona to meet my family after Christmas in 1974 and to go with me to a bowl game at ASU stadium in which BYU was playing. He can tell you much more about that game, like who the quarterback was and probably give a play by play account. We then traveled to California so that I could meet his family. He can tell you much more about that drive because I cried until I fell asleep. I realized that I would never be with or be a part of my family in the same way again. I was leaving home with this man who would soon be my husband and I was suddenly very homesick.

Upon my arrival in California, I was given a bear hug by Glen's father, Jordan. I soon learned that this was very much out of character, and I have been grateful for that hug ever since. Glen's mother, Elma, handed me a red felt stocking with five toes and told me I needed to decorate it. Five toes! It was so much her sense of humor and fun. So I decorated it and became a Jensen. When Eric and Ryan were born, she would bring or mail me another plain stocking. The felt for the stockings changed for David, Janae, and Nathan - so I think I must have started to make the stockings myself. BUT I always decorated them. I don't decorate them anymore (unless Eric talks me into finishing it up!) but I am willing to sew together a red felt stocking for any new family member who wants a Christmas stocking with five toes! Daughter-in-laws, rest assured that I am not offended when you choose to leave them hanging on my fireplace. They would not have necessarily been my first choice, but now I love them. They are full of memories and warm thoughts.