Reflections..Grama B, Reunion with Uncle Mel

Grama Bagley loved the simple things in life. 

 She loved flowers, she loved baking and gardening, she loved music. 

 Most of all she loved her family. 

She loved summer when the Low and Bagley cousins came from out of town. 

 I think the reason we loved being together in her home was because we felt her love. 

We felt the security that comes from being together. 

 Grama didn't have much in the way of material things, she didn't give us much materially..but she gave us everything this world has to offer. 

She gave of herself.  She gave of her time, she gave us her love. 

 She passed on her many gifts, her sense of humor, her love of music, her love of quilting, her artistic abilities. 

 She had five amazing children and thirteen grandchildren who will always be grateful for the time and love she gave to us.

Dad and Uncle Mel got a lot of Grama's characteristics. 

 They loved music, they loved to get together and have a good party, laugh and joke.

  (I think the joking and teasing came from Grampa.) 

 When Uncle Mel, Aunt Barbara and their girls came to town we spent our days and nights at Grama's and Grampa's

Barbeques, singing and listening to Uncle Mel and Dad tell stories, laugh and try to one up each other.

  Again, it was that time spent with one another that cements a family together. 

 We may not see those cousins often.  Dad, mom, Aunt Barbara, Marie, Grama and Grampa are all gone now..but the memories will last. 

Uncle Mel invited us to Pinedale this past weekend. 

There were a lot of games, singing, fishing and good food. 

So much fun seeing our cousins and their children. 

 Uncle Mel, sitting in the midst of us all, was in charge, making sure we were participating, "who's marching the best?" he'd say 

 "sing that song one more time, a prize for the best singer." 

 said Uncle Mel

And of course, everybody marched and sang.  

 

Thank you  for the beautiful weekend.  For bringing our family together. 

 The world is so busy these days. 

 It is good to stop and realize that simple things like good food, singing, games,

spending time on a summer evening and being with family making memories is what it is all about.

 

My Pioneer Heritage

I think of my heritage all year long, but am most grateful during this month.  As I enjoy the comforts of my home and the beauty that surrounds me.  When I go to church in our comfortable buildings, when I go downtown and see the Temple, the conference center, the beautiful gardens that surround them..I am reminded again of how it all began.  I have relatives who were there in the beginning.  Who suffered, sacrificed and died so that I might enjoy the blessings that I have. In this modern world it is easy to forget, but I think it is good to remember.  It keeps me grounded and also grateful for what I have.    Here are a few entries in some of my family's journals as they settled the Salt Lake Valley and came across the plains.

 

"When we got inside the valley I think if there were ever a glad people it was us.  And when we got located the next thing was for us to get some wheat in the ground.  The land were very dry and I did not know what to do for the best.  So we sowed some wheat, the land being so dry it did not grow up til the spring." 

~Andrew Jackson Allen

 

Edward and Julia Ann Bagley were travelling with their children and another family across the plains.  "Cholera hit the wagon on June 20, Julia Anne got up in the morning and cooked breakfast for the family.  She came down with Cholera, which is a contagious infection of the intestines, and by sundown she had died and was buried about 40 miles from Mormon Grove.  This left the little band motherless and both men without wives.  Men of less faith would have turned back, but they continued on. 

 By Saturday,  two more Bagley children died."

 

"Seventy five years later Julia Anne and Edward's son, Alma, was 82 years old and he could still describe her death.  He said that the wolves howled and the morning doves mourned, and then he cried just as he had when he was a 7 year old boy."

 

"Julia Anne and Edward left a large family who had a great impact on the early Mormon settlements."

 

May 20, 1848

 

"There was a cold snap that froze the vines, and things in the ground were easily killed.  Now the fall wheat we had got was just beginning to put the head out of the ground and the frost killed it.  This was a trying time.  Those crickets also were eating at the fall wheat.  Many of us were out of bread .  Just now the seagulls came in flocks by the thousands and began to eat the crickets.  They would cover the fields and fill themselves and then they would fly to the water and drink, then they would vomit them up and go again and fill up again.  They seemed to repeat this time after time after time, and soon they destroyed the crickets in measure.  We contributed this to the hand of the Lord in our behalf.  If those gulls had not destroyed them, they would have destroyed all of our growing crops.  And that would have brought great suffering among the people."

~Andrew Jackson Allen

 

 

As I think about these people and many more, and all the hardships they went through. Then I think about the difficulties and adversity that we go through today.  Would I trade with them?  I don't know.  Their adversities were different.  Their hardships seemed only to make them stronger, more  determine to move forward.  Their families were of utmost importance.  I would like to meet these people, to listen to their stories from their mouths, to learn from them.
Will I measure up? 
 

 I am grateful to them for leading the way in my own family. 

 Because of the gospel, they came together and taught their children. 

Who became my grandparents and parents.

  They taught me. 

 And it continues. 

"Blessed honored Pioneer."

Happy Birthday Jason!

I'm a day late in wishing my son in law, Jason a Happy Birthday.

  He always seems to be reaching skyward. 

Whether he's climbing mountains or flying. 

 He may fly through the clouds, but our little Wren always brings him back to earth. 

 She certainly has him wrapped around her little finger. 

 Hope you have a great year.  Love you! 

Happy Birthday. 

 Love, polly

Summer Fun

I love Summer! 

 I love when you can run out of your house without coats or shoes. 

 I love playing in the water with the kids. 

I love it because I get to see all the grandkids together. 

We've had a lot of fun the last few days with Taylor and Jack. 

 They've been great playing and having fun with their little cousins. 

 And the little cousins love them!

Can't wait to add Hogan and Luke to complete the group. 

 They arrive on Tuesday.

  It's going to be a great couple of weeks!

Happy Birthday Jack

 

It 's my grandson Jack's birthday today!

 

The best birthday present ever (for me) is that he and Taylor are arriving here tomorrow!

Can't wait to see them and spend time with these two guys.

 

Jack is the most pleasant kid.  Loves to play baseball and golf.  He's always helpful, kind, hardworking and determine. 

I'm excited to see him, cause he's been growing those curls out again.  Wonder what he'll look like???

Happy Birthday Jack! 

 

Lone Peak Liberty Days

Our small neighborhood parade is growing.  Grandkids come back with their parents to the place where they grew up. 

We gather together to celebrate our nation's birth..and this place we call home. 

We honor our veterans and celebrate our "Liberty Lovelies"  These beautiful women who have gracefully taught us how to live our lives.

 

And of course there are the spectators..

Cheering us on!

We love getting together on this special day.  We love seeing kids that have grown up here who come and bring their families.  We love celebrating our heritage, our freedom and this beautiful part of the world that is our home.