Just like grandpa!

I started thinking i was like Grandpa. When the Twin Towers were hit 10 years, I knew that history was being made. I knew that one day I would need to teach my children about it. I wanted to show my children things that where going on. So I grabbed newspaper. I saved newspaper from the days after and I saved them. They are tucked away in my cedar chest, safe.. One day, I will pull them out and show my kids what was going on those few days after. Other events that happened.. That there was still life (day to day activities)..

Off to China

Here it was, the week before I left for China! What an experience I am on! Holy crapola. Back to the point. Before I left for China I knew I had wanted a blessing- but from who? Although my lifestyle doesn't permit one to be active in the church, my testimony still lives strong and true- I know where I am, I know where I am going, and I know where I have been. That is my testimony.

I was sitting in my car and driving around doing all of the errands that I had to do before I left for the big C-H-I-N-A, and as I was driving I knew that I needed a blessing from someone- again, who? I am picky about who lays their hands on my head- might I add an emphasis on PICKY. The job/task of giving a blessing, to me, is an honorable thing. The men who have placed their hands on my head are: Grandpa, Larry, Garth, Dallas (roommate), Chandler (boss's husband), Trevor, Kent, Patriarch Curtis, and Bishops, and that I pretty much it- I think. So I don't just let anyone do it. I want to know that person. I want them to know me. I don't want them to get done with the blessing and think, "Well, there was my good deed for the week!" I want them to have a connection with me, and not just the connection between their hands and my bald head.

So I got thinking and I thought to myself- I want Uncle Keith to give me a blessing. So I called him up and he agreed. Why Uncle Keith? He is the closest thing to Grandpa that I have here; however, at the last moment, he informed me that he would like someone else to be there, so I called Larry and he agreed. Now, here comes the part that I knew I wanted. I didn't want the blessing in some living room on some chair that had been sat on by people, and I didn't want it at my house. I wanted it somewhere that I hadn't had a blessing before, and I wanted it to be special. Where else should I have it? Sitting on the bench next to Grandpa's headstone. Perfect.

Larry, Uncle Keith, and I met at the cemetery at 11:00 and talked a little bit about my new adventure. When that conversation ended we proceeded over to the bench next to his headstone. As we walked over, Larry and Uncle Keith lingered behind near the cars and I walked over to the bench. As I walked over- I thought to myself, "Here I am Grandpa...."

I sat on the bench and Larry and Uncle Keith put their hands on my head- while Larry's voice said, "Brother Mitchell Rue Watson..." At that moment, my right eye opened, and I glanced at the name "Rue Ware" carved into the stone. I thought, "I am Mitchell Rue Watson", the one person that carries the name of his Grandpa. I am honored to carry that name. While they gave me the blessing, which was utterly fantastic, I noticed there wasn't a breeze in the air, there wasn't this warm fuzzy feeling of grandpa is next to me. Why? Why did I need that feeling? Why was I even searching for it? In my mind and in my heart, I know that those events didn't take place because I didn't need that conformation that Grandpa was going to be with me for the next year. I know in my heart that he is here with me. I didn't need to feel him while sitting next to his headstone to know that he is watching me. I didn't need any of that. What I needed to know is that he never left me, and will never leave me till the day I die- and even then- he won't leave me. He will greet me with open arms and a tear in his eye while saying, "Oh my stars..." So Grandpa, I hope you are enjoying China as much I am enjoying it here.

Meadow Lark

I thought of Dad yesterday when I heard my first meadowlark of the year. That little bird didn't stop singing "Orangeville's a pretty little place." Not only that, it jabbered to the other birds. It was a loud, noisy bird. I wish I knew all the things it was say. It was probably telling the weather that it needed to straighten up and stay warm so it could stay. I wondered if this is early or late for the meadowlarks to return. I knew that Dad probably had it written in his books for each year, the exact date he heard the first meadowlark of each year. How many times have I wanted to know the temperature on a certain day, or when the leaves (beards) finally come on the quakies. He had it all written down, somewhere. I wonder where those journals are now? Wish we had them to copy them.

Family History

I had a reason for not writing anything yesterday. My eyes were filled up with water most of the day. Don't know why. And again today. I think it is PMS (Poppa Memory Syndrome) or something. So, this is off the subject of Grandpa Rue Ware, and on to Grandpa Guy Ware.

Last night when President Sharp announced that we would be re-dedicating the Stake Center and that President McKay was the one who dedicated the original building, it reminded me of a picture that Wayne Ware sent me a year ago. I came home and found it on my computer, printed it off and took it to President Sharp today. Here is is for everyone to see.

Aunt Ione responded that she is the younger lady in the picture, which Ruanne correctly guessed! Congratulations, Ruanne. You know your family history. As for me, I knew Grandpa Ware is on the left, President McKay is facing away from the camera, and Grandma Ware (Linda) is on the far right. Aunt Ione also said the other lady is Sister McKay, which should have been a natural for us all because she always accompanied him. I will share more photos as I get them.

I put this pic on facebook and got a response from Kathy Hannert, who grew up in the little house just behind my house. She was good friends with Leslie Ware. She said the Grandpa gave her her name and blessing and she always considered him to be such a gentle man. So nice of her to leave that comment.

Nikki Rondinelli said she would be sharing more photos she has of the family history from her dad, Uncle Keith, and Stuart. I will put anything I get up on here. I love family history!

Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa!

We've all been thinking about you today. Some days it doesn't feel like your gone, just that it has been a while since we've spoken. Others it feels strange. Others it feels sad.

Today I feel all three, in turns. I've been thinking a lot about how the term "old" is so relative. You've always been old to me. I don't know if it is possible for a Grandpa not to seem old to his grandchildren. But now that I think about it, you were only 51 years old when Todd, Nicky, and I were born. You were 47 when you became a grandpa. I don't think my dad, Kent, Garth, or Larry are old. But they are all older than you were when I was born (actually, my dad is 51 now, but still).

Interestingly, I don't really think of you as old. The image I hold of you in my mind is of a physically capable, busy man. Out in the yard working. That is who you were for so many years. It is who you are. I'm surprised, and happy, that image of you returned to my mind so quickly and easily. It is a much more accurate version of you.

We all miss you much.

Love you and happy birthday, Grandpa!

P.S. I know I need to start working on your pictures and audio and stuff. I will. I promise!

March

It is almost March, you know what that means..According to Grandpa, you are able to not have to wear your undershirts! YAY! It's Grandpa's Birthday month!

TL

I have a TL for you, Grandpa. Just before Christmas, I got a call from Neal Peacock. One of their city council people had gotten onto the computer that stores their website and deleted a bunch of important files. He was wondering if I could come and fix it all and move everything onto a computer that no one had access to.

So the Monday after Christmas I met Neal bright (not really- Castle Dale was in a pretty thick fog that morning) and early at Castle Dale City Hall. As I was working Neal was speaking with Carolyn (not sure if she's the Treasurer or Recorder) about some things happening with the schools and how the district is handling the situation. Then he turned to me and said;

"This goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway. I sure do miss the old guard at the district. Your Grandpa didn't worry about whether or not he would upset people or make enemies. He just did what needed to be done. He did what was needed to make things work the way they are supposed to. We really need that right now."

I know Grandpa and Neal had some different ideas, but it made me happy to know that they respected one another. Though, truthfully I already knew that and wasn't surprised at all. it is still nice to hear.