I just now got off the phone with Dixie. Sweet Dixie. She is Dean's wife, and I love her so much. She is definitely a talker, but I could sit and talk with her for hours I think. We get along really well. I was on the phone with her for about an hour just now. I called her on my way to Kohl's, to catch the end of the Memorial Day sale today, and I talked with her through choosing a pair of shoes, through the checkout (which I hate doing, being on the phone at the checkout--at least I have hated it when customers were when I worked in retail--but I didn't have the heart to tell her I had to go, so I just apologized to the clerk..and it was a quick purchase), while driving home, and then for another good thirty min or so since I got home. It was so good to talk to her. We laughed together, cried together, she told me about her cruise and about her last days with Dean; about Greg, their son's struggles with it, and LynAnn's. I have been doing much better today with it, after an emotional day yesterday; then Dixie got me crying again while I was deciding on shoes at Kohl's. But I wanted to cry with her, so that was good, really.
I think I will call her often, or at least semi-regularly. I just love her, she's kind of like a grandma to me, but also like a friend. She is so sweet, and asked all about nursing school, and any new gentlemen in my life... I told her that no one is working so hard on getting me married now, since Dean is gone, and then she said that he's probably working even harder now on it, now that he can walk and see, etc. That cracked me up and we were both laughing about it. I told her she was probably right, that I'll probably get married even faster now.
Man, I'm getting teary eyed thinking about him, looking down on me. I sure hope he is, cuz I love him so much, and I miss him. And I so feel for Dixie, I told her I wished I could come hug her.
And she told me the funeral is on Saturday, which basically interferes with Simon's baptism, bummer. I'm gonna have to figure out what to do. His baptism is at 9:30 am in South Jordan, and the funeral is at 11 in Pleasant Grove. But there's the viewing the night before and then before the funeral, which I would want to go to. I might just have to miss the baptism. But I don't think anyone would be offended. Especially Simon. I was at his birthday party, and later he asked me why I wan't there after I said I would come. He didn't even notice me when I had been there, ha. So he likely wouldn't notice me gone from his baptism...
Today was Memorial Day. I got up and went running, ran a new route, up past the church (my singles ward building) and over to Tanner Park and back. It was about 2.2 miles, which was more than I thought I had ran, which was good. I'm liking running a little more all the time. I still have never run more than 3.5 miles, but I did that on, I think Thurs, and I felt pretty good about it. I walked a little here and there throughout the run, but it was the farthest I'd ever gone. I would love to get to the point where I could run a half marathon, or even a marathon one day. I would love to be that fit.
Then I did homework and such throughout the day, made cookies, cleaned in the kitchen, and then the Kerrs and Merkleys came over and we had a cookout. It was fun. I played with the kids on the tramp, which was fun. Little Owen is growing up so fast and is so adorable. Ethan's eye seems to slowly be getting worse (although their doctor says it isn't, which is good). But he is just as cute as ever.
Then Grandma called to talk to Mom and see how she's doing (she just had back surgery, round 2, a few days ago, and her recovery is going much better this time around), and I talked to her for a few min, about nursing school and such. Then I went to Kohl's and got a pair of brown sandals for church for a sweet deal: only just over $18! Regularly $50, marked half off for their sale, and then I had 2 sweet coupons I used. I felt pretty great about my purchase.:)
And now I should be doing homework. Which I better go do. Goodnight!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
My Mr. Dean
I just got off the phone with Dean's daughter, LynAnn. She called this morning and left a message (I was in the shower before church), which I just listened to when I got home from church, telling me that Dean passed away last night.
This is really hard. I'm crying as I type this.
Shortly after I quit my job at the Courtyard and moved up here to Salt Lake, he went into the hospital because he was throwing up blood. Once he was stable enough he was moved to Orchard Park nursing home and rehab, and he kind of went up and down, doing well, and not. But LynAnn told me that something must have gone out in his lungs because that was the strongest thing in him, and by last night he was needing to be on 11 L of O2! That is practically unheard of! He was never on O2 before he went to the hospital. So it sounds like she kind of knew that he was going yesterday. Thankfully all his kids and his wife were all there with him yesterday, so that was a blessing.
But man, I am so sad. Grandpa Gurr died two months ago, and this is way harder.
Dean was like a grandpa, but even more so like one of my favorite friends. Seriously. He often knew more about my social life and the dates I went on than anyone else, because I saw him everyday, and because he'd always ask about those things. He was so concerned with getting me married, it was hilarious. He asked me, sometimes daily--and especially on Mondays, after the weekend--if I had gotten married last night (or over the weekend). Or who'd I pick up last night? Or who was I gonna pick up tonight? And he'd often say, with exasperation, "Gosh, how're we gonna get you married..?!" I always told him that if I ever did get married, it would be because of him. No one was trying harder than Dean to get me married.
Dean was such a selfless man, and would always ask about others. He never complained, and if he did, like about pain, you knew it was bad. He never wanted to be a bother, and hated asking for help. Which was often really frustrating/concerning, because he would try to get up or do things on his own, and fall. He hated bothering us at Courtyard for help.
He is such a smart man. LynAnn started ordering him the daily newspaper, Deseret News, so I could read to him everyday. He liked hearing the headlines, and more about certain articles. Sometimes I would read him more of an article than just the headline, because I wanted to know more about it.:) And he never complained or stopped me. He would just humor me and let me keep reading. He liked to hear the main section headlines, Local, and Sports. As he slowly declined, he lost interest in the news as much. But I still loved reading the paper, even if it was just while he listened to his tapes or slept. He got me addicted to reading the paper and knowing what was going on in the world. I told him that after I left I wouldn't know what was happening in the world because I wouldn't be able to read him the paper anymore.:)
Oh, how I miss him. He was so sweet, and for the about month before I left, he would often say to me, "I'm gonna miss you, Melissa!" and I would tell him I was going to miss him too. He was the main reason I was sad to leave my job. I always told him I would call him, to not worry, but I'll call you, Dean. I told him I'd tell him all about any dates I went on, and certainly if I started dating anyone. And that he'd be one of the first to know if/when I got engaged. I regret to say that I waited for over a week after I moved up here, to try calling him, and tried a few times, and then texted Jaclyn (she took over my job) to have him call me, or at least tell him I'd been trying to call him, but by then he was in the hospital. I was emailing LynAnn, and after he was moved to Orchard Park she was going to try to get me a phone number I could call him on, but today what she said sounded like he just wasn't able to talk or what not. So I never got to talk to him. This kills me, and makes me so sad. I waited too long to try to call him. I've wanted to talk to him so much in the last week or so, and even more so now. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice on the phone, and when I would say, "Dean! It's Melissa!" to hear him say, like he always did, either, "Martha?" or "Melissa who?" That was our daily game, or the way we started out everyday when I went in his room in the morning for the first time. I loved it. Martha, he called me.
I could go on, but I think this has been therapeutic for me. I am so sad about this, I can't imagine how Dixie, his sweet wife who I love, is feeling. She just got back from a cruise with her sisters, in time to be at the hospital with the family and then through when he passed, which is so good. This was just so quick and sudden and unexpected. Not a lot of warning.
He had Parkinson's and some dementia. He had glaucoma as well, which made him all but totally blind. He could seen bright things and lights and figures, but not much else. And he had a really bad hip that we'd been going to doctors appointments for the last few months of me working with him, to get him cleared for a possible hip replacement. And my very last day, the very last thing for my job I did was take Dean (Jaclyn came) to his last doctor's appointment, to Dr. Jeff Smith, this other orthopedic surgeon, to get a second and final opinion. We were all impressed with this Dr. Smith, and when we left, the ones of us there (Dean, Camille, and myself) were pretty convinced that that is the route Dean wanted to go. They had even scheduled the surgery (somewhat tentatively) for June 19, I think. Which would have been a week before his 83rd birthday. So for that reason, I'm so glad he's not in pain anymore, and that he won't have to go through that surgery, and even more so, the rehab and recovery. His right hip was so painful and gave him so much trouble.
And I am so glad he got to be surrounded with his wife and kids before he passed. That is such a blessing. One of the first things we did together when I started as the personal assistant was compile his testimony for his posterity. He dictated and I typed (Bekah started the project just before she quit to have her baby.). And he ended up with six pages of testimony with some of his history mixed in. It was really special, and with the help of his wife, he got it copied and given to all of his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, and even some for the greats, when they are old enough (at least, that was his plan). And what a blessing that he did that when he did. Some of his kids and their spouses aren't active, or aren't members. That was a huge concern for him that weighed on his mind quite heavily. He hoped so badly that this document, his testimony, would help resolve those things and bring his inactive kids back to the Church. I hope they come back too. Such a great family. Especially LynAnn, she is inactive, even served a mission. I know her the best out of all of them (Camille after), and I so hope she comes back to the Church. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Maybe Dean can work on them even hard now, from the other side. :)
I love Dean, and I will certainly miss him. I already did, greatly. I have thought about him often since I left work. I bet he is with his brother's wife, who recently passed (his poor brother, Dean was kind of his new time-killer, you could say. Scott would come visit him often, since his wife passed. Now he's lost his brother.), and I'm sure he's with his other siblings who have passed..maybe just brothers? I can't remember. He's told me about of bunch.. But I bet he is happy, and best of all, pain free.
 |
| This was on my last Friday, when LynAnn and Dixie came to say goodbye to me. It was a bitter sweet time, I love them all, and it was hard to have to leave Dean. LynAnn gave me a sweet note and necklace from his four kids, and Dixie gave me this sweet Precious Moments little statue. I will cherish those forever. |
Shortly after I quit my job at the Courtyard and moved up here to Salt Lake, he went into the hospital because he was throwing up blood. Once he was stable enough he was moved to Orchard Park nursing home and rehab, and he kind of went up and down, doing well, and not. But LynAnn told me that something must have gone out in his lungs because that was the strongest thing in him, and by last night he was needing to be on 11 L of O2! That is practically unheard of! He was never on O2 before he went to the hospital. So it sounds like she kind of knew that he was going yesterday. Thankfully all his kids and his wife were all there with him yesterday, so that was a blessing.
But man, I am so sad. Grandpa Gurr died two months ago, and this is way harder.
Dean was like a grandpa, but even more so like one of my favorite friends. Seriously. He often knew more about my social life and the dates I went on than anyone else, because I saw him everyday, and because he'd always ask about those things. He was so concerned with getting me married, it was hilarious. He asked me, sometimes daily--and especially on Mondays, after the weekend--if I had gotten married last night (or over the weekend). Or who'd I pick up last night? Or who was I gonna pick up tonight? And he'd often say, with exasperation, "Gosh, how're we gonna get you married..?!" I always told him that if I ever did get married, it would be because of him. No one was trying harder than Dean to get me married.
Dean was such a selfless man, and would always ask about others. He never complained, and if he did, like about pain, you knew it was bad. He never wanted to be a bother, and hated asking for help. Which was often really frustrating/concerning, because he would try to get up or do things on his own, and fall. He hated bothering us at Courtyard for help.
He is such a smart man. LynAnn started ordering him the daily newspaper, Deseret News, so I could read to him everyday. He liked hearing the headlines, and more about certain articles. Sometimes I would read him more of an article than just the headline, because I wanted to know more about it.:) And he never complained or stopped me. He would just humor me and let me keep reading. He liked to hear the main section headlines, Local, and Sports. As he slowly declined, he lost interest in the news as much. But I still loved reading the paper, even if it was just while he listened to his tapes or slept. He got me addicted to reading the paper and knowing what was going on in the world. I told him that after I left I wouldn't know what was happening in the world because I wouldn't be able to read him the paper anymore.:)
Oh, how I miss him. He was so sweet, and for the about month before I left, he would often say to me, "I'm gonna miss you, Melissa!" and I would tell him I was going to miss him too. He was the main reason I was sad to leave my job. I always told him I would call him, to not worry, but I'll call you, Dean. I told him I'd tell him all about any dates I went on, and certainly if I started dating anyone. And that he'd be one of the first to know if/when I got engaged. I regret to say that I waited for over a week after I moved up here, to try calling him, and tried a few times, and then texted Jaclyn (she took over my job) to have him call me, or at least tell him I'd been trying to call him, but by then he was in the hospital. I was emailing LynAnn, and after he was moved to Orchard Park she was going to try to get me a phone number I could call him on, but today what she said sounded like he just wasn't able to talk or what not. So I never got to talk to him. This kills me, and makes me so sad. I waited too long to try to call him. I've wanted to talk to him so much in the last week or so, and even more so now. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice on the phone, and when I would say, "Dean! It's Melissa!" to hear him say, like he always did, either, "Martha?" or "Melissa who?" That was our daily game, or the way we started out everyday when I went in his room in the morning for the first time. I loved it. Martha, he called me.
 |
| I took my friends one Sunday to visit Dean. I'm so glad I did that. It was the only Sunday I've really ever gone to my work just to visit. And my friends got to meet the great man I would always talk about. |
I could go on, but I think this has been therapeutic for me. I am so sad about this, I can't imagine how Dixie, his sweet wife who I love, is feeling. She just got back from a cruise with her sisters, in time to be at the hospital with the family and then through when he passed, which is so good. This was just so quick and sudden and unexpected. Not a lot of warning.
He had Parkinson's and some dementia. He had glaucoma as well, which made him all but totally blind. He could seen bright things and lights and figures, but not much else. And he had a really bad hip that we'd been going to doctors appointments for the last few months of me working with him, to get him cleared for a possible hip replacement. And my very last day, the very last thing for my job I did was take Dean (Jaclyn came) to his last doctor's appointment, to Dr. Jeff Smith, this other orthopedic surgeon, to get a second and final opinion. We were all impressed with this Dr. Smith, and when we left, the ones of us there (Dean, Camille, and myself) were pretty convinced that that is the route Dean wanted to go. They had even scheduled the surgery (somewhat tentatively) for June 19, I think. Which would have been a week before his 83rd birthday. So for that reason, I'm so glad he's not in pain anymore, and that he won't have to go through that surgery, and even more so, the rehab and recovery. His right hip was so painful and gave him so much trouble.
And I am so glad he got to be surrounded with his wife and kids before he passed. That is such a blessing. One of the first things we did together when I started as the personal assistant was compile his testimony for his posterity. He dictated and I typed (Bekah started the project just before she quit to have her baby.). And he ended up with six pages of testimony with some of his history mixed in. It was really special, and with the help of his wife, he got it copied and given to all of his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, and even some for the greats, when they are old enough (at least, that was his plan). And what a blessing that he did that when he did. Some of his kids and their spouses aren't active, or aren't members. That was a huge concern for him that weighed on his mind quite heavily. He hoped so badly that this document, his testimony, would help resolve those things and bring his inactive kids back to the Church. I hope they come back too. Such a great family. Especially LynAnn, she is inactive, even served a mission. I know her the best out of all of them (Camille after), and I so hope she comes back to the Church. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Maybe Dean can work on them even hard now, from the other side. :)
I love Dean, and I will certainly miss him. I already did, greatly. I have thought about him often since I left work. I bet he is with his brother's wife, who recently passed (his poor brother, Dean was kind of his new time-killer, you could say. Scott would come visit him often, since his wife passed. Now he's lost his brother.), and I'm sure he's with his other siblings who have passed..maybe just brothers? I can't remember. He's told me about of bunch.. But I bet he is happy, and best of all, pain free.
 |
| My last day with Dean, right after a doctor's appt. (with Dr. Jeff Smith) |
Monday, May 21, 2012
BYU Bucketlist
1-Sleep overnight in HBLL
2-Catch a thrown t-shirt at a sporting event
3-attend a swimming meet
4-attend a track meet
5-Eat at Brick Oven (be taken there, preferrably on a date)-DONE
6-Hike Mt. Timp
7-Roast marshmallows over the Bell Tower lights--DONE
8-Museum of Peoples and Cultures
9-Ring the Victory Bell--DONE
10-Eat at the Sky Room
2011-2012 roommate quote wall
"I have no talents." -Chelsey
"Love does hurt. Especially with stelettos." -Jessica
"Melissa's gonna think this is so weird, but it's SO funny!" -Jessica
"You're not always there?...No kidding!"
-Jessica
"I always mean Sunday." -Jessica
"I have so many friends." -Jessica
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Email to Amy 5/20/12
Oh my goodness, so sorry I took so long to respond!
But first can I just say that I just love you, you are so amazing. One of the greatest friends I've ever had, even from the other side of the world!
But yes, school is way busy, holy cow. I don't think I'll have a social life again til I'm done. Ha, jk, hopefully that's not totally true, but it might be... But I'm liking it so far! When I got your email I think I had done one day of orientation (we had 2), and now I just finished my first full week, crazy. There's about 60 people in my class, and probably 7 of those are guys. Yeah, low odds. But only like two of them are not married, actually three I think. But not really interested. So that resource is out. Plus, no time for dating. But speaking of married people, nearly EVERYONE in the program IS. It's almost ridiculous! The first day we all had to stand up and tell a few things about ourselves, including something interesting, and I was second to the last, and I seriously wanted to say, as the interesting fact about myself, that I was single. I couldn't believe it. But it's okay, gives me less competition when those cute med students walk by, right..? :)
But yeah, I'm liking the program so far, it's a LOT of reading for homework, but since it's all for the actual career I will have, it's not as dreadful as say, reading a humanities textbook was. My Pharmacology class might kill me, but other than that, it's all great!:) It's nice to be back in school and learning again. I do miss my job, and Dean, and people I worked with, but where I am in life right now is good. I also really like the people in my program, everyone is older, already has a degree, so everyone is just mature and friendly and seem like really great people.
I have my friend that I worked with at Courtyard in it with me, and then turns out a friend from high school, who I wasn't super close to in hs, but I really liked, is in the program too! That was a fun surprise the first day at orientation. So the three of us kind of go around together a lot of the time, it's fun to have friends in it. I think Heavenly Father knows how important the social aspect of life is for me--not necessarily to have a social life, but to have good friends along the way, in hard classes and things, I dunno, kind of hard to explain--and I feel like He really blesses me with that. Like in my chem 107 lab for example, I was dreading taking the class, I didn't actually need to, but I did to increase my PA school options. So I was totally and completely dreading the class, and one of my good friends from my major (a boy) turned out to be in it, and then the lab group I ended up being in was super great, and one of the girls and I became really good friends. It was rather serendipitous. I felt like those things were direct blessings from Heavenly Father, because He knows how important that is to me, that social part of life, specifically hard things I guess. I wasn't as aware of it then, but same thing in my physics classes. Those were love-hate classes, because while I hated the classes, I made some really good friends while living in the homework lab, and had some really good times with friends in that lab, hacking away at the never ending homework problems, memories and friends I would never trade. Anyway, I'm sure you wanted to know all of this, now I'm just going on and on, but that's what I feel like has happened in this nursing program. And having friends has made it significantly more enjoyable, from day one. I feel like I can say I love it, because of having friends there. When I go to school I get to see my friends, who I really like (you're not being replaced, don't worry.:) However, if you were to stay in Jerusalem forever, that might be debatable...:) So life really is good. I feel like anything in life can be enjoyable if you are doing it with friends. And I feel very blessed to be.
So yeah, that's about all I do. I go to school, study, eat, and sleep (it's been a little bit of an overwhelming weekend, with the amount of reading/homework I've had to do. I literally studied ALL day yesterday, minus meals. I'm hoping I won't have to do that every Saturday...). As far as class time though, it's not bad at all. We are in classes Mon and Thurs most the day, and then just have four hours of lab (we get to practice in a new simulation lab that all looks just like a hospital, it's so cool!) on Tues and Wed, and we have Fridays totally off! So it's really not that bad as far as class time, so that's nice. And the professors are all pretty great, so I'm happy about that.
Anyway, enough about the nursing program, onto your other questions:
So nothing ever happened with Isaac. I actually texted him a few days before I moved home, to go to a BYU baseball game, cuz I had tickets, but he was going to CA for his grandpa's funeral. So we texted just a bit at that time, and then a few days later, but that was it. Nothing else. Weird boy. Whatever. Oh, but so weird, the guy that spoke in church today (in his late-40's, early 50's) totally reminded me of Isaac, and is probably what Isaac will be and talk like when he's that age, I decided. It was kind of bizarre. So of course I was thinking of Isaac during part of the talk. Ha.
Living at home is actually not that bad. It's actually been a pleasant surprise. Having my own room and being away from a certain roommate situation is SO nice. I couldn't get over how refreshing it was to have my own room here at first. And it still is so nice. Plus not having to write that rent check really is so so nice, and I have realized is well worth living at home for, to save that money. Especially cuz now I don't really have any due to being in school again, ha.
I don't know if I ever told you the main reason I was dreading living at home, but it was basically because of how my dad treats me (not badly at all, in fact, it's the opposite extreme, he is SO nice and just loves having me here, which is nice, but he shows it, a LOT. My mom actually put it perfectly the other day: he likes to dote on me. And it's true. He does, and I shouldn't complain, but it's sometimes too much, bless his heart.). Anyway, I now know that my mom understands the situation, which has helped, so other than things with my dad being how I thought they would be (ha), it really hasn't been too bad being here with my parents. I certainly eat well here, my dad still makes breakfast every morning for the three of us, and I get good healthy dinners everyday. My mom actually got back surgery right after I moved home, and hasn't been doing too well, so it's been good to be here for that too.
So really, life is good, I can't complain. I'm happy.:)
Today was my second week at the singles ward, and it seems like a really good ward. Last week I felt so out of place and so new. Y'know, that feeling. Didn't know anyone, that awkward first week. But today was much more comfortable, and enjoyable. Definitely a lot more girls than guys (what's new), but there's quite a few guys that look like they are great. Who knows. But that's the thing, I don't think I'm going to put a ton of extra effort into trying to date or into the guy dept in general because I think it would just make this semester harder. So for now, I'm just going to focus on school, seriously, and try to just survive. So I'm not super worried about my lack of boy right now. It was funny, on the second day of orientation, one of the professors was like, "Now. Major life events include getting married, having a baby, (named some other things I think), the nursing program...And it's good to have only one major life event in your life at a time...so if you're going to get married, do it in the two weeks between semesters." haha..I thought it was pretty funny, because of the few of us that even applies to, but also just how she said it. And how I'm basically supposed to actuallyavoid getting married while in the program (that's new advice!). I told my mom about that, and told her that she can stop praying for me to get married for about a year, and then she can start again. Haha.
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Okay, so I just went to a ward missionary fireside, and my newest updated opinion about my ward is it's great! I really like it, the people are so nice and friendly, and I keep meeting really nice girls. I even met a few nice and cute boys tonight too, that was fun. The guy conducting the fireside actually reminded me of Nick Purse, ironically, ha. He seemed really impressive, so I wanted to meet him, of course. So before I left I went up to him and thanked him for putting it together, and we chatted for a min. It was great. He was really nice to talk to...I wouldn't mind that happening again... oh wait, I don't have time..right. Focus, Melissa.
Okay, I'm going to end this email already. Sorry it's so long. I'm glad you're over the jet lag, I thought that was funny how you could tell, since it was hard to get up early again.:) But update me on how things are going when you get time! What's been your favorite thing so far that you've done or visited or seen? How are your roommates? And how's the food?
I love you, talk to you soon!
(the last email from Amy, 5/9/12)
Melissa!!!!!!
So glad the date was so good! I just love that it all worked out in the end and you went on a date with the Nick Purse. So good. It just makes me happy. I am glad he suavley handled the walk-up-the-skinny-BDA-stairs-
I am over the jet lag, I know because for the first week or so getting up at 6 am was not a problem but now it's hard again haha. But Things are great here! I am loving it, everything is amazing and i just can't get over it. OH, I just saw your picture on the side of my screen where it tells about the person you are emailing/shows their picture. I miss you!!! I hope you are doing well and things are good. Do you know what your doing for housing in the fall, do you think you will stay in SLC? Anyways, I want to hear all about how your classes are going and what you think and EVERYTHING!!!
Sorry this is so short, I am running to my next class but when you get a chance I would love to hear how things are going, I know you're probably way busy right now though.
Love you!!! and good luck with the start of school!!!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Email to Dean's kids sent 5/14/12
LynAnn, Camille, Greg, and Michelle.
I meant to do this last week, but I just wanted to thank all of you for the gift: that sweet card and the beautiful necklace. LynAnn gave it to me on my last Friday and I was so touched, it means a lot. I absolutely love your father, and I miss him! I haven't been asked if I've gotten married last night for a while! I think some of you know this, but he was always so concerned about my marital status (or lack thereof), and would always say things like, "How are we gonna get you married..?!" and "So who'd you pick up last night?" I always told him that if I ever got married it would be due to his credit.:) He was always very interested in any dates I would go on and he would ask about them, and it was so fun to tell him about things I was doing. He constantly cracked me up and kept me entertained, as well as informed. I love talking politics with him and letting him teach me about the many topics that would come up in the news or on his tapes that I didn't know a lot (or anything) about. He is so smart and has the best sense of humor. I called his room my "home base." He was my favorite resident to be around (don't tell), and he was always so sweet and patient with me, never getting impatient or upset if I was later than I said I would be or didn't get to spend a lot of time in his room some days.
I meant to do this last week, but I just wanted to thank all of you for the gift: that sweet card and the beautiful necklace. LynAnn gave it to me on my last Friday and I was so touched, it means a lot. I absolutely love your father, and I miss him! I haven't been asked if I've gotten married last night for a while! I think some of you know this, but he was always so concerned about my marital status (or lack thereof), and would always say things like, "How are we gonna get you married..?!" and "So who'd you pick up last night?" I always told him that if I ever got married it would be due to his credit.:) He was always very interested in any dates I would go on and he would ask about them, and it was so fun to tell him about things I was doing. He constantly cracked me up and kept me entertained, as well as informed. I love talking politics with him and letting him teach me about the many topics that would come up in the news or on his tapes that I didn't know a lot (or anything) about. He is so smart and has the best sense of humor. I called his room my "home base." He was my favorite resident to be around (don't tell), and he was always so sweet and patient with me, never getting impatient or upset if I was later than I said I would be or didn't get to spend a lot of time in his room some days.
Anyway, you all have a great father. I love him. Thanks for letting me spend so much time with him, being a part of his and your lives. And I am praying things go well with his hip surgery, if that is what is decided to do.
Thanks again for the extremely thoughtful gift, I cherish that necklace. It's my "Dean necklace," and I always think of him and the Bergeson family when I wear it.:)
Nursing school officially started today, and it's going to be a lot of work, but I'm excited about it.
Hope things are going well for all of you!
Sincerely,
Melissa Gurr
Sunday, May 6, 2012
I moved home
So I just moved home yesterday, got here to Mom and Dad's house with all (well almost all) my stuff last night. And I must say that I'm feeling better about being home so far than anticipated. I will be in the basement apartment bedroom, not in one of the upstairs bedrooms, and Dad was so nice to paint it and give it a tri-tone look. It looks really great. And he moved the dresser thing (really a big file cabinet) over to the main wall, and took out the pile of blankets that were right there, so I could use it as a dresser.
And last night, as I was unpacking a little and arranging my stuff and then getting ready for bed, I must say, it hit me how nice it was to have my own room. To not be sharing with anyone. Oh my goodness--sooo nice! I have always shared a room at college, and it's been fine, it's just always been the cheaper option. But this last year, more than ever before, I have wanted to have my own room. I don't know if it's just timing, or that I'm getting older, or just my actual roommate this last year (Jessica Viehweg). But I must say, I am so glad to be in a different place (even if it's home) and in my own room. So refreshing. And I have my own bathroom too--and it's right there, off the bedroom, which is so nice too.
Today I went to church with just Dad, Mom hasn't gone a lot lately because of her back. It's painful for her to do much more than lay down; thankfully she is getting surgery for it this Thursday. But church was just kind of awkward. First of all, doing anything with just Dad is kind of awkward. Love him, but he just still kind of treats me as younger, somewhat, I feel like. And I knew hardly anyone there anymore, that was weird. I felt totally out of place. I didn't know exactly where Sunday school was, so I had to wait for Dad as he chatted with people after Sac. Mtg., and it was just uncomfortable to just stand there, having to wait for him to know where to go. SS was a good lesson though, it was Brother Linebaugh, teaching Temple Prep (for their Gospel Principles class), just felt weird being the outsider, ha.
Relief Society was better, I felt more comfortable there. I saw Sister James outside of it before it started, and she was so friendly to me, so happy to see me, hugged me, and then we chatted about Kylie, and how I saw her recently and how she just got down to Southern Utah for an internship at Zion. And then we talked about how I'm living at home now, and how her son, Patrick, is living at home now, after having graduated from USU with his masters, and how that's hard for both of them (the son AND the parents). This sparked my attention. I asked her why that is hard, from the parents' side. And she said because you (as the parent) forget they are an adult, you want to know where they are, make sure they are still alive, don't know if you should wake them up...etc. So that was an interesting insight to my situation. I hadn't considered the possibility that me living at home could be hard for Mom and Dad too. And maybe it's not, but it could be. And I kind of want to ask them and just have a heart to heart about it sometime. We'll see.
And last night, as I was unpacking a little and arranging my stuff and then getting ready for bed, I must say, it hit me how nice it was to have my own room. To not be sharing with anyone. Oh my goodness--sooo nice! I have always shared a room at college, and it's been fine, it's just always been the cheaper option. But this last year, more than ever before, I have wanted to have my own room. I don't know if it's just timing, or that I'm getting older, or just my actual roommate this last year (Jessica Viehweg). But I must say, I am so glad to be in a different place (even if it's home) and in my own room. So refreshing. And I have my own bathroom too--and it's right there, off the bedroom, which is so nice too.
Today I went to church with just Dad, Mom hasn't gone a lot lately because of her back. It's painful for her to do much more than lay down; thankfully she is getting surgery for it this Thursday. But church was just kind of awkward. First of all, doing anything with just Dad is kind of awkward. Love him, but he just still kind of treats me as younger, somewhat, I feel like. And I knew hardly anyone there anymore, that was weird. I felt totally out of place. I didn't know exactly where Sunday school was, so I had to wait for Dad as he chatted with people after Sac. Mtg., and it was just uncomfortable to just stand there, having to wait for him to know where to go. SS was a good lesson though, it was Brother Linebaugh, teaching Temple Prep (for their Gospel Principles class), just felt weird being the outsider, ha.
Relief Society was better, I felt more comfortable there. I saw Sister James outside of it before it started, and she was so friendly to me, so happy to see me, hugged me, and then we chatted about Kylie, and how I saw her recently and how she just got down to Southern Utah for an internship at Zion. And then we talked about how I'm living at home now, and how her son, Patrick, is living at home now, after having graduated from USU with his masters, and how that's hard for both of them (the son AND the parents). This sparked my attention. I asked her why that is hard, from the parents' side. And she said because you (as the parent) forget they are an adult, you want to know where they are, make sure they are still alive, don't know if you should wake them up...etc. So that was an interesting insight to my situation. I hadn't considered the possibility that me living at home could be hard for Mom and Dad too. And maybe it's not, but it could be. And I kind of want to ask them and just have a heart to heart about it sometime. We'll see.
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