My Grandpa Bud passed away on July 1, 2011-- a week and a half after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This fact hurts my heart. I love my Grandpa. He was everything a Grandpa should be-- wise and honorable, brave and kind, involved and concerned, and so so so much fun. It is really hard for me to imagine living in a world that he is no longer a part of, but I know he is still aware of me. I know I will see him again. In the meantime, I want to live the way I know he expects me to live.
Ryan and I decided to bring all of the children to Arizona for the funeral (as opposed to just having me go). We knew it would be expensive (mostly for Daddy Warbucks), we knew it would be a lot of driving, we knew it would be emotionally taxing... but what we didn't realize was that we were climbing on board an emotional roller coaster-- and just like any good roller coaster ride, it was full of many unexpected ups and downs and twists and turns. This trip truly was quite a ride.
DAY 1-- Sunday
I love traveling with my family. Ryan has become a pro at following my Mom and Dad's travel escort. We think it is the only way to travel. This day was pretty uneventful. After going to church in Bountiful, we drove to Beaver, Utah, to stop for the night.
The High-- Hearing my Father share his testimony in Sacrament meeting. He unknowingly answered my prayer and fast. Hearing my Mother give one of the best Relief Society lessons Ive ever heard. I have amazing parents.
The Low-- Getting the worst of the 3 hotel rooms. It smelled like bleeehhhkkkk! and the air conditioner didn't work.
The Lesson Learned-- When traveling with a group this size (6 adults, 4 children, 2 toddlers, and a nursing 3 week old baby), plan on taking more than your average number of rest stops-- and add about 5 extra hours onto your travel time.
DAY 2-- Monday (the 4th of July)
Today was a really great day. What better way to celebrate the birth of our nation than to see so many of its beautiful sights. I think we were in a half a dozen parades. Each time we drove down Main Street in any Smalltown, USA, there were people lining the street with flags and bags of candy. It was fun to see the different ways these small towns celebrated Independence Day.
For lunch, we had a picnic at the Grand Canyon. Whats more American than Watermelon at the Grand Canyon? It was really fun to see my children's excitement. I learned something new about my sweet husband (not a common occurrence after nearly 15 years of marriage). I realized that he is not a huge fan of heights, neither am I, neither is my Dad, neither is my Sister, Julie. It was pretty comical to see the bunch of us out on a ledge of fractured rocks, perched with shaky legs, trying to wrangle a bunch of excited children. My Dad was holding Kailan's hand, and she kept saying, "Ouch! Grandpa, you're squeezing my hand too tight!" It was fun and nerve racking all at the same time. We couldn't stay too long, because we had a long journey ahead of us. After visiting what seemed like nearly every rest stop and gas station on the way, we finally rolled into Mesa, Arizona, after dark. It was a big relief to get there.
The High-- When I woke up this morning, I was feeling kind of bad that we weren't going to have any fireworks for the 4th. I was so thrilled to drive through Phoenix completely surrounded by nearly a dozen firework shows. Also, getting to our final destination was a pretty great high of the day.
The Low-- When I walked into my Grandparents house in Mesa, it was the first time I truly realized that my Grandpa was really gone. It felt like he should have been there. I had to sneak into the bathroom and cry.
The Lesson Learned (or at least reminded of)-- Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are mindful of each of us and our little insignificant happenings. I spent the day surrounded by His lovely creations. At one point, I think we prayed my parents car to the next gas station (it was out of gas). At one rest stop, my children were climbing all over some rocks. We later found a huge black widow on one. I was so grateful nobody got bit. And, I felt His comfort as I cried tears of sadness that night.
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| My beautiful Sister, Michelle, and me at the Grand Canyon |
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| Kyle, Creed, and Ryan at the North Rim |
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| Black Widow Spider at a Rest Stop in AZ |
This Morning, the children were so anxious to get into the pool. The water was so warm, and sun was so bright. It really was a lot of fun!
For Dinner, we went to Tia Rosa's, one of my Grandpa's favorite restaurants.
The Low-- When the dust storm blew in, we were all in our suits about to head over to the pool. It was a bummer to have those plans change. Also, someone got a new pair of shoes, that ended up being a major bust, which caused that certain someone to be kind of a pill (to say the least) for a couple hours.
The Lesson Learned-- Don't buy your kids new shoes without trying them on first. If you do, it might be wise to make sure that child sits at the far end of the dinner table, and rides home in the other car.
DAY 4-- Wednesday (Funeral Day)
This morning, bright and early, we got a knock at the front door. It was a resort worker informing us to call the front desk. My first thought was, "Oh great, we are going to get in trouble for the kids playing in the fountain." HA-- if only! Instead we were told that our van had been broken into during the night. Grrrrrrrr!!! Initially, we thought all they took was $3.00 in change. Later, we realized they also took Ryan's camera.
It was a relief to finally get to the funeral. It was sad to see my Grandpa's body. It was sad to see my Father pat Grandpa's hand for the last time. It was even more sad to see my Grandma kiss my Grandpa goodbye. One thing I love about funerals is the way they celebrate and honor that person's life. I always leave funerals wanting to be a better person. I loved hearing the recounting of my Grandpa's life. Here is a copy of his obituary. It is very well written. However, it is impossible to capture the depth of his life with mere words. I have a lifetime of treasured memories that I am so grateful to have shared with my sweet Grandfather.
Roland J. "Bud" Rhees
Roland J. "Bud" Rhees, 83, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away July 1, 2011, in Mesa. He was born March 18, 1928, in Ogden, Utah, to Leland and Leona Holmes Rhees. Roland served in the military in Korea. Following his military service, he served as a full-time missionary in the Western Canadian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Vernice Bennett on Nov. 28, 1950, in the Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple. Bud and his wife Vernice resided in the Sugar City/Rexburg area for 30 years.
Bud served in a number of community and church positions. He served on the Sugar City Council, was a member and president of the Rotary Club, a member and president of the Chamber of Commerce and served as a member and chairman of the Fair Board for several years. Bud served on the high council, as a counselor in several bishoprics and also as a bishop. Bud was employed at Utah Power and Light Company and at the time of his retirement in 1985, he held the position of Regional Manager over Utah Power and Light's Idaho Division. He was the manager of Utah Power and Light at the time of the Teton Dam disaster and oversaw the rebuilding of the area electrical utility system.
In 1985, Bud relocated to Utah and later to Mesa, but he and his wife continued to spend summers at their cabin near Henry's Lake.
To begin retirement, Bud started and operated a Christmas tree farm in Pleasant View, Utah, for 10 years, that produced more love and joy than revenues. However, he did receive the prestigious Forest Stewardship Achievement Award.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister Alta; and a brother Jay. He is survived by his wife Vernice, a loving companion of 60 years; two daughters Ann Rhees Brown (Bruce) of Mesa, Ariz., and Kathryn Rhees Bowen (Bruce) of Burley; Brent Rhees (Karen) of Bountiful, Utah; Scott Rhees (Belle) of Heber City, Utah; a sister Marilyn Rhees Woodbury (Harry) of Pleasant View, Utah; and a sister-in-law Connie Rhees of Pleasant View, Utah; 14 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, at the LDS Hawes Ward, 2265 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa, Ariz., with visitation 1 hour prior. Burial was at the Mountain View Cemetery 7900 E. Main St. Mesa, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was a man truly worthy of honor. He was a wonderful example of enjoying life. He was a wonderful example of how to be a good spouse. He was an amazing example of serving others. He knew how to do just about everything, and was a valuable resource. I sure miss him and love him.
The High-- Honoring my Grandfather and his life. I am so grateful to belong to him and to be a "Rhees". And.. I am grateful to belong to a family that knows how to laugh.
The Low-- The van burglary was a low, Karen being so shaken by it was a low, but mostly I felt bad for whoever it was that broke into the van. I went to bed praying that whoever it was will realize that they are worth more than $3 in change. I felt sad for them.
The Lesson Learned-- I think the main thing I learned today is that you never really know what a big impact the small things you do will have on the lives of others. Both my Father, and my Uncle Scott told the story (one I had heard many times before) of my Grandpa going to work with them when they were teenagers to help move pipe. This was something my Grandfather did because it gave him uninterrupted time with his boys. Yet, I have to wonder if he knew, at the time, how much that small action meant to his boys. It makes me want to do better at taking advantage of each moment with my children.
DAY 5-- Thursday
This morning, we headed over to Grandma's house to say goodbye before the long journey home. It was hard to say goodbye.
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| A cactus desert we passed on the way home |
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| My Father designed and oversaw the building of this perfect little walkway. I think it is really cool that he has his fingerprint on this historic landmark! |
The Low-- As I was getting ready this morning, I realized that my gold hoop earrings were missing. I clearly remember where I had left them. They were a pair of expensive earrings that Ryan gave me for our very 1st Christmas together. It was a time when we couldn't afford a pair of very expensive earrings. They meant a great deal to me, and I am sad that they are gone. I guess they were too tempting to the gal that cleaned our resort room. I went to bed this night feeling bad for her and praying that she will realize that she is worth more than a pair of gold earrings.
The Lesson Learned-- We can do hard things! My children survived a long journey in the car together... and even did it happily (for the most part). My Father said Goodbye to his Mother, which I know was hard for him. My sister traveled with her brand new baby, which took a lot of courage. And my Grandma, who amazes me, will be OK as she faces the very hard things that she has laying before her.
So, to sum it up (because this post simply isn't long enough already)... We drove. We laughed. We saw a polygamist, the Grand Canyon, a black widow, and my Grandma. I cried. We swam, saw the temple, sweat like crazy, ate Mexican, and (one of us) whined about new shoes. Our van was broken into. I cried. We went to my Grandpa's funeral. I cried. We laughed. We lost some earrings (cried), said goodbye to Grandma (cried), and saw the Glen Canyon Dam. We laughed. We drove. We stopped (a lot). I almost wet my pants on the stretch between Panguitch and Beaver (for the second time in my life.) We laughed. We turned an 11 hour ride into a 16 hour ride. Some laughed, some cried. It was worth every second.
