A Letter to my Parents

A letter to my parents,

Well, Mom and Dad..It's been quite a while since you've been with us.  Lots has happened.  You taught us so well by the way you lived.  You were loving, funny and unselfish.  You were devoted to the gospel and to your family.  You made a mark on so many lives.  Mom, you in your quiet, graceful, loving way.  And dad, you as the leader, our funny, positive, full of fun dad.  How were we so blessed to be born to you guys?  Since you've been gone, the children have grown, making lives for themselves.  You saw two of Jamey's boys, but since then he and Becky added two more and convinced them all that baseball and golf were the best ways to occupy their time.  

You would love watching them as they excel in their activities.  They are such good boys.  Tyler finally found his true love.  He and Melanie have two beautiful boys, as beautiful as their mother. Tyler treats her just as you treated mom.  (He was trained well).  Abby and Mike are busy with their two boys..(can you see a pattern here?)  They are a busy happy family.  Abby reminds me so much of both of you.  She is talented like mom, and has the drive of you dad.  What a combination.  Nothing stands in her way.  I am able to be around Dylan, Jake and Sam a lot of the time and love getting to know their personalities, and what makes them happy or sad.  They are amazing children.  Nick is our professor, touching the lives of many young cadets at the air force academy.  Whitney and Jason are the greatest, as they presented us with our only granddaughter, Wren.  How we love and cherish our little beauty.   

Everyone is busy with careers, raising children, and good works.  They are all successful and happy.  Jim, James and his boys have been back to the Masters once.  We go out once a year to watch the boys play baseball and there's nothing better than watching them for two weeks.  We've travelled, we've enjoyed concerts with music that always makes me wish you were there with me, loving the music as I do.  We've made improvements on our home, always grateful for the talent mom past on as I make something out of nothing.  Jim is serving in the Bishopbric right now.  He is so patient and kind with the issues that come before him. We are most happy when surrounded by our kids and grandkids.

Our lives have not always gone as we would want them to.  We've had health issues, retirement before we expected..other problems that get in our way.  But because of the things you taught us we move forward with faith and a knowledge that all will be well.  We are blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren and a knowledge that the gospel is true.  Thank you for leading the way.  I love and miss you every day.  Thank you for being my mom and dad.  love, polly

Fifty Years ago..John F. Kennedy visited SLC and I was There

When I was ten years old, my mom took me to see President John F. Kennedy. 

 It was September 26th of 1963.  He came to Salt Lake City for a visit. 

 I don't know why she took me, but she and her friend took me and my friend to see the President.  My parents had not voted for President Kennedy. They supported Richard Nixon.  (I guess it was before they realized how "tricky" he really was.) 

Anyway, off we went to see the President.

  He was to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square, right in the middle of all that was Mormon. 

 Thinking back it is amazing to me how many people were there. 

 Downtown Salt Lake City was packed. 

 This was conservative Repulican Utah.  But he was our President, and back then people thought it was cool to see and hear the leader of the nation, even if you didn't vote for him. 

 It was too crowded for us to get into the Tabernacle or even Temple Square.

  It would be a while so we just decided to hang out at the west entrance of what was then Hotel Utah, hoping to get a glimpse of his car as he drove down the street.  The main entrance of the hotel faced south, so we were amazed when his bubble topped car slowed down and stopped right at our entrance and he got out. 

We were within about five feet of the President. 

 (Probably an impossibility today.) 

 I don't even remember any secret service, although I'm sure they were there. 

 He was very tall and handsome with beautiful eyes.

  I remember, even at ten thinking he had gorgeous eyes. 

 He looked straight into my eyes and smiled and waved and was gone into the hotel. 
Of course I didn't know then what would happen in just a few weeks time. 
I have never forgotten that experience.
 

It was just two months later as I sat in the lunch room in my school that the nation heard the horrifying events unfolding in Dallas. 

 The nation came together mourning the loss of this bright young man. 

 

It seems strange to know that its been 50 years. 

 It doesn't seem that long ago. 

 I've always loved history. 

 I guess I'm getting old enough to be one of those people who say "I remember when...."

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday Jim and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. 

 It is hard to put into words how I feel about our life together.  

 As I look through pictures and see what we have built together I am filled with gratitude for the life we have together. 

We have had much joy together,

 we have had many trials..yet we come through together, stronger. 

 We have built a home, a family..a wonderful life.

We've travelled and seen the world together. 

 We love seeing different places, but we always love coming home. 

 We have been blessed with a lovely home and dear friends.

We've seen our family change over the years. 

Our children have grown and had families of their own.  

 This, of course has added to our joy. 

 There is nothing better than being grandparents.

We are blessed to enjoy together the things that we love. 

 Our family, home, living in such beautiful surroundings

 where we are able to enjoy the changing seasons.

And I am especially blessed, because I get to spend my time with this handsome man. 

He only gets better with age. 

 

When I was just a young eighteen year old girl,

he came to my door to pick me up for a blind date. 

 I looked into his beautiful brown eyes and immediately feel in love

 (so did my mother, much to her dismay,

she knew she had just lost her young daughter.) 

well, he still has that effect on me to this day. 

So Happy Anniversary Jim..

 (still love looking in those eyes) 

 thank you for sticking around and loving me all these years. 

Vacationing In my Garden

Yesterday, June 14th was Flag Day, my son and his wife's anniversary- and my mother's birthday!  Quite a holiday.  Mom was a master interior designer, gardener, wife and mother.  I guess in her day it was called being a "housewife"  or "homemaker". She truly excelled in the art of homemaking.  My mother taught me that you could make any size room or home charming.  She taught me how to change the look of a room, just be moving a couch or a chair and a few small objects around. 
I have become an expert in this particular field, moving whole rooms (furniture) from one room to another.  Very seldom buying knickknacks for rooms.  I just look around and see what is laying around in some other room.  It looks brand new when placed on a different shelf!

The summer season is the best.  After cleaning,  removing heavy objects like throws, pillows,  clearing off counters and bookshelves, I move outside.  Gardening is a pleasure.  Once everything is cleaned out, planted, watered, lighted, it's time to relax.  I don't need to go anywhere.  I feel like I'm on a vacation in my garden.

A lovely Week

A lovely week.  Last Saturday Abby and Marta hosted a shower for Whitney.  Their talent for throwing parties goes unmatched.  Abby's home was decorated to perfection and the food was delicious.  I'll have to get the recipe for the creme brulee french toast.  To die for!!!

Whitney was showered with gifts from family and dear friends, and was brought to tears by their generosity and love.  She is special to all of us.  We can't wait to meet our little girl.

Last night, Abby hosted yet again another lovely party.  Our children decided to honor Jim and I as we are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary today.  Another delicious meal, lots of together time, gifts and fun.  How blessed we are to have such great kids. 
And now Jim and I are off for a fun vacation to celebrate. 
Will post from the East Coast when we arrive!

A Tribute to my Parents

Usually on April 1st, I post some not so funny joke which no one falls for.  I thought this year I would honor my parents who were married on April 1, 1946.  Their marriage was no joke!!!  It was one of those true love stories that lasted 50+ years, and what they created continues as a lasting legacy to that love.

Giggs and June met just as dad was ready to be shipped off to the war.  So there love grew through the letters they wrote to one another.  They married soon after dad returned, and started their life together.

 

They created a family of four children and brought us up in a loving home.  We had fun growing up, while being taught lessons that would serve us throughout our lives.


Mom and dad had many adventures during their life together.  Dad was an optometrist as a profession, but he had big dreams, which my mom always supported and with her support, he built a world class golf course, owned an NBA basketball team, a racquet club, where we all spent our summers.  The older grandson's learned to love the game of golf from their gramps. They travelled the world, yet their greatest joy was being with their family.

 

Parties and get-togethers always were a big deal to mom and dad, and I think they'd be happy to know, we still get together and enjoy Christmas, summers and just hanging with one another. 


Their passion for all things sports related is still going strong.  Jake, who is only four loves the beaches of Hawaii just as Giggs did. 

There have been weddings..

additions to the family...I think there are around forty great grandchildren with two more on the way.  Happy and healthy.  There are lots of smiles, and when there are tears we know how to turn things around.  We were taught in our youth.."Look for the good, be grateful, think positive!"

Of course there is still much singing and much to sing about!

Mom would be happy to know that the Lundgren's still get together twice a year.  We love seeing "the aunts" for they are a reminder of mom.  Her grace, her smiles, her love.

So Happy Anniversary mom and dad.  I'd say right now your family is happy.  Joyful for the blessing of being a part of you and grateful for all you gave to us.  Our lives, our childhood, your time, your love, your commitment to one another.

I give thanks I had you as my parents.  "All the great things are simple."  You simply got married and had a family.  You created a legacy and a posterity that is great simply by loving one another and your children. 

FORTY YEARS!

My friend Toni and I grew up together. We did everything together always. Here we are at 16 wondering what adventures lie ahead. 

Toni met her husband right after graduating from High School. 
Forty years ago yesterday they lined me up with Jim.
I had gone on a date the previous week. We went to Kamas to see the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.
(I generally like a good war movie, but this was and still is the longest and most boring war movie - I mean movie of all time).
Besides I didn't like the guy which made it seem even longer.
Jim's and my first date went pretty well, so he asked me on a second.
He said" let's do something a little unusual, we're
going to Kamas to see Tora, Tora, Tora!" We were with Toni and Willard and I liked Jim, so the movie didn't seem quite as long. I didn't tell Jim for a long time that I had already seen that movie at the same theatre just a few nights before.

Toni and Willard got married in December and we got married the following April.

We both have five kids!

Forty years has certainly gone by fast. But it's great to have these two as our friends.

(Don't you think we look exactly the same)!??!

Jim and Willard actually do!

(They either looked like 60 year old men when we married them

or they have not aged at all.)

JUNE 14TH- A DAY TO CELEBRATE

June 14th has always been a holiday in our home. 

After all, it's my mom's birthday and

 Flag Day.

We always made sure the flag was waving in honor of our great country,

And, in honor of our great mom.

 A few years ago Ty and Melanie decided to make

June 14th another reason to celebrate.

They got married on this day.

So June 14th will always give us a reason to~

wave a flag,

remember,

and be joyful.

June 14th is a Happy Day!



HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - 39 YEARS!

Jim and Polly

April 27th, 1972

 It is unbelievable that 39 years have passed since this picture was taken.  Thirty nine years ago I was a very young bride, just barely 19 years of age.  My parents were scared to death for me, because I was so young. I was determined...and of course knew everything.  But there is one thing I really did know.  I wanted to be married and be a mother.  So I found a really handsome brown eyed guy who wanted to get married and have kids, and I became a wife and a mother.  The first time Jim came to the door, and I looked into his eyes (my mom did too, and she instantly knew she had just lost her daughter) I knew this was it. 
(Mother's, beware of dark headed men with beautiful brown eyes)

Thirty nine years ago Jim and I started our life together. Along our way together we have been blessed with parents who always supported and loved, children who are our greatest joy and then the grandsons who make us feel young again.  We've worked to build a home and make it a place where love abounds and our family and friends feel welcome.  I feel that our home is a part of us, because we have worked so hard and put so much of ourselves into it.  We have travelled and had some adventures. We've suffered misfortune and ill-health. We've had much joy.  All this comes with the journey called marriage. 

 I still can't believe how young everybody looked.  Mom's hair was a masterpiece! Jamey was born 11 months after we were married and so we were off and running!

A few highlights of the past 39 years. 

Five children later, seven grandsons,

a lot of work, a lot of fun 

a lot of baseball, a few weddings.

Our life is centered around our family and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

 Happy Anniversary

(someday, when I'm brave, I'll tell the story of our actual wedding day, why I'm sitting in the pictures and why there really aren't that many pictures.  I think I could have ended up on Oprah with strange wedding day stories).