TIMELESS TUESDAY: Gramps

Bob, Grandma. Grandpa. Sherron and Mac- A family raised in the 'Good Ol' Days!

Perfect time to pay tribute to my father in law who has impacted my life. Hopefully I can find the pics. I am looking for. Probably not until Friday. So Gramps is a legend: He can tell you stories from the good ol' days that make the wild wild west come alive! His family ran cows out in the good ol' Desert of Emery County and up as far as 9 mile and East Carbon and Price Canyon. He was raised on a horse! And was a wild yay hoot when he was a kid. His life changed for the good when he met Clark's Mom ,DeAnn. She was a patient, loving wife who stood by Gramps through thick and thin. He's had a life of hard work and perseverance. Heart Break too when his love of his life passed away in 1996 He graduated from Emery High and then BYU while married. He is a selfless man, he would do anything for anybody. He is a great friend and has so many people that love and admire him. He is a person that always has a joke to tell and lives to make people laugh. He is a 100 percent home teacher. One of those guys that is down to earth. He is also too human and can cuss up a wild sentence. He is the Father of 4 awesome kids, they all 4 have a college degree. Clark and Jay both served missions for our church. Mac is so proud of ALL of them. One of the things that Clark remembers most about his days growing up is although his Dad was away working a lot. They ALWAYS took time as a family to vacation. Zillions of camping and hunting and boating trips. Mac's priority is and has always been his family. That is one thing that we tried to take from his example is to always make memories of special times together as a family. Clark's relationship with his Dad is one of a kind. Clark has been able to learn valuable life lessons working along side of his Dad in the family business. Including forgiving and forgetting when things were sometimes touchy in many situations. He was able to farm with his Dad. His Dad was also his Bishop at one time. That's unique! Clark's special quality of only looking for the good has made his relationship with his father perfect. He can listen, and take his fathers sound advice. I can tell you that I LOVE GRAMPS! He was the only one of our parents that made it to the hospital during the labor and delivery of one of my kids. Not because they didn't want to be there, but Clark and I just went through the whole process together as a couple and surprised everyone. But Mac was living in Huntington working while his family was in Pleasant Grove and he got word that we were in the hospital just checking to see if it might be a false alarm.When Elyse decide to come into the world! So Gramps got to be with me while I was in labor. That was fun!

I can tell you how unique our relationship is... I'm the only one that can trim his toenails. I am not kidding when I say his toes go until I get back to Utah- every six months!!! I feel important! He brought me a plant when I had my appendix out. It started out as a 5" inch plant on my 24th birthday (that's right an emergency appendectomy on my b-day!) and ended as a 7' tree. I treasured it because I new he purchased it a delivered it just for me! I know that Gramps keeps all of his kids in his prayers and behind all that rough and tough skin on the outside he has a tender heart. Through out our lives he has been concerned and caring about all of our welfare. I love getting phone calls often and telling Clark his Dad loves me more than him! I remember when my mom passed away. It had just been a short time since we had lost my Dad and Clark's Mom. He said to me, " looks like I'm all you have left" So, so thankful he is in our lives. I love the relationship he has with our children. He is an awesome Grandpa, not with out his criticism. He's hard on you if he loves you the most! I am forever grateful for the things he taught our children on the farm. I know we were so lucky to have that experience. Moving away has been the hardest on Mac and Clark. Although It has it's bad points, we appreciate the support we have had from Dad in this move. Clark is not there to help out like he is used to. Clark misses out on the good times with his Dad. The good that came from being away is that Tyrel has taken over Clark's responsibility to his Dad. Tyrel is incredibly close to Gramps. Tyrel has worked a long side of him and spent many, many nights just hangin' out with Gramps. Gramps has come to love Tyrel's wife Danielle. They together make Gramps travel around the country with them to hear his awesome stories and knowledge he has about the area. Terrence loves Gramps and wish he and his family could be around more like Tyrel. And Elyse just loves kissing on Gramps! As does all his grandchildren.

Gramps is Loved! We love you Forever! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAC!