Wish you were there

The entire family made it for the first of the Twining baptisms.  Just like everybody got together for the 1st of the baby blessings.  One a year for 6 years.  We didn't all make the last few, but we started out pretty good.  Hopefully we can figure out how to make it to all of the baptisms.  It was the second time that everybody has gotten together without you.  Kyler's baptism was wonderful, the room was full to capacity.  The courageous KB III invited his entire class at school to come to his baptism.  He invited neighbors, family members, everybody.  He certainly is a better missionary at age 8 than I was.  I wish I could say it is my great missionary influence upon him, but I'm sure you're helping him be bold in sharing his testimony.

I know you were there, rejoicing as your first grandchild entered into the kingdom of God.  Mom spoke and testified strongly that you were one of the angels in heaven shouting praises on this special occasion.  Kyler managed to get completely submerged on only the first try.  I was almost disappointed for him; I remember how excited I was that I got to go under twice!  :)  

We had three cakes for Kyler since so many people came.  I missed seeing an odd piece being cut out of the middle of one.  I almost cut a piece out of the middle for you.  Almost.   

We do many things in memory of you.  We've told our kids a burp after a meal means "my compliments to the chef."  We will get 'dog nuts' and enjoy your favorite breakfast.  I even got Arby's to enjoy with Kyler on my day off of work when Kyler still had to go to school.  I told Kyler that you would be jealous that we got to have Arby's.  ;)  We bought M.R. Ducks t-shirts for everybody in the family and wear them often.  We even bought some M.R. Ducks shirts for my in-laws for Christmas.  I talked to my stake president about getting tickets to the Priesthood session of General Conference.  Boys are allowed to go to the Priesthood session at age 8, even though they don't hold the Priesthood.  I always enjoyed going to the pie and ice cream before the Priesthood session of conference with you. 

A couple of weeks ago Melani and I had the privilege to go to Kelson Wheeler's wedding.  I know you were there because your sister wasn't able to make it.  The sealer without any prompting from me or anybody else mentioned how our ancestors who have lived before us are interested still in our lives and our doings.  He spoke on how relatives of Kelson and his bride, Melissa, were present and interested in this joyful day.  Kelson told me as we left the sealing room that he felt "Uncle Kenny" there on that day.  I always feel close to you when I go to the temple.  I am so glad for the example you set of the importance of the temple.  You did not necessarily go every month, or even that often, when we were kids, but we knew the temple was a sacred and important place.  We all remembered the special experience when we were sealed as a family and we all knew it was a place we wanted to continue to go.

Thanks for keeping us in mind and keeping an eye on us.  We still need your wisdom and guidance.  We love you and miss you.

6 months

I miss hearing you answer the phone and say "Boo." I can picture you sitting at your desk, putting me on speaker, and saying something funny when I ask for Mom. Remember how girls would call for Kurt and you'd say, "Let me go scrape him off the ceiling." I have no idea what that meant, but it was hilarious!!!

I miss you calling me Snook Pie. No one else on this planet ever called me that, and no one else was allowed to. It was special between you and me.

I've been doing the Jumble a lot lately. The Jumble always reminds me of you. You'd sit in your recliner, and I'd curl up next to you and we'd do it together. Of course before too long I got really good at it, and I don't think you liked doing them with me any more :-)  No, I'm sure that's not true. I was your little girl. I bet you always liked doing everything with me. This week I did a Jumble and it reeeeally made me think of you. The silly riddle was that, "The cyclops monster movie was playing at the....'EYE-MAX THEATER!'"  YES!!! Dad would have LOVED that one, I said to myself. I look up at the ceiling and laughed. I hope you saw me and were laughing, too.

I wonder which Superbowl commercials you would have liked.

I have some Arby's coupons and I want to go get roast-beast.

I want to tell you about my divorce and my sadness and my hurt. I want you to cry with me. You're such a wonderful man and I love you so much. Thank you for loving our mother.

I'm reading Jesus the Christ and I want to talk to you about it.

Every so often I hear classic rock songs on the radio that I know you liked, like Toad the Wet Sprocket or J. Geils Band or Bachmann Turner Overdrive. Stuff they'd play on 93.5 The Beach. I can hear your voice say the words. I can see your expression. I miss your grin.

It's been 6 months since you were called back to God. I am grateful for every day I have on this planet, I truly am, but goodness gracious, I really really miss you.