Growing up in Parowan was a wonderful blessing! We were surrounded by so many good friends and neighbors. We were so blessed to have this good man in our lives. He lived across the street from us for many years. I was sad to hear of his passing, but so happy to think of the wonderful reunion that must be taking place with his beautiful daughter Jill who was such a dear friend. She passed away years ago and This dear man passed away on her Birthday. I like to think that she came to take him home. We went to honor him and his good life today. Being there at his services brought back so many wonderful memories for me.
His funeral was held in my old ward Parowan Ward Building. I love this place. My sister and I took a tour through it and the memories came flooding back. They will be tearing this old building down soon to replace it with a new building. It's heart wrenching to think about it not being here. it's a big part of my life! It's where my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ began, in a little classroom with a teacher by the name of Valate Hyatt. I can still remember sitting in that class and watching her teach a flannel board story about the creation of the world and feeling that warmth within me that what she was teaching I knew to be true...the beginnings of my testimony.
Its such a unique place! They just don't make churches like this anymore. As a child I was so intrigued by all the stairs, and there were so many places to hide and no one could find you. I love the cry rooms in the back of the chapel and the beautiful windows... and that stage where we put on many a road show. It was always a treat to have Primary days on Tuesday. We would get out of school and walk a block to Primary, stopping at the Benson's little store on the way for penny candy. I loved sitting in the chapel singing primary songs before we dismissed for classes.
It even had a wet bar with a ticket window! My sis and I loved rediscovering old initials still etched in the wood on the church pews, and as children it was our favorite past time to look under the benches and see how much gum had collected there. Sick I know...but yep, there's still plenty of gum underneath those pews! I loved the primary room. That's where I gave my very first primary talk. I still remember standing up to give that talk and becoming so scare and nervous that I started to cry and never did end up giving that talk! Some things never change. To this day, I still get nervous when I speak!
I feel so blessed to have been able to grown up in a small town in such a wonderful ward surrounded with such great hero's and shero's. My heart breaks as I think about this landmark not being there like it always has. It has been an anchor in my life. Thank goodness for pictures and wonderful memories. They will live on in my heart forever!
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