January 15, 1996

Dearest John & Julianna; Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy & Jesse; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

It's Martin Luther King Day or Human Rights Day today - that really caught me by surprise!!! I heard on the news today that Oprah Winfrey is going to have a segment about the Central High episode in Little Rock. I hope I can remember to watch it - I'm SO glad I lived in Little Rock long enough to learn that all the images people have about it are wrong. I'm sure there was a lot of racial prejudice there before we moved there in 1964 but I had SO many black friends that I didn't notice it. Some of the most outstanding teachers in the schools where I taught were black. I remember people getting angry when we referred to them as colored - it was hard to know what to call them if you didn't know them personally. Times have changed so much that I don't know what is proper and what isn't and of course there are not many black people living in Utah - I miss them!!!

Last week was "compassionate service" week - at least it was in my ward. There is a lot of illness, a sister had a new baby, the sister with toxemia is still requiring help, a brother had a heart attack, and the sister who tore some ligaments in her ankle had to have a new cast put on and has to be right down until Feb. 8th. I am surely learning a lot about people's insurance and how it limits the care they receive. This sister who tore the ligaments went to the doctor her insurance allowed her to go to and because of his diagnosis she went for 8 days with a broken bone along with the torn ligaments that wasn't cared for. When they finally found out it was broken, they sent her to another doctor and he put the cast on wrong and it caused excruciating pain - she finally went to a specialist. He took the cast off and put one on right and she is FINALLY getting better. I think that is sad!!! This sister has four daughters and we have decided they are going to have to care for her and prepare the meals - they are willing and it will be good for them.

The Woolleys came over last night - it's like a breath of fresh air to have that HAPPY family come into my home. Russell and Jimmy had had a "dessert cookoff" - I don't know which one made which but they were both heavenly. One was peanut butter Rice Krispie Treats with chocolate drizzled on top and the other one was Wheat Chex with peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar. I don't know how they keep from gaining weight because that is the sort of thing I dearly love and don't dare make. I enjoy their Family Home Evenings SO much - Ann is teaching Jimmy's Primary class and she gave the Book of Mormon lesson she had given to his class that morning - he had an unfair advantage but he answered all the questions and I was impressed!!! Ann was sick all last week - she really didn't look like she was better when she was here last night but she said she was.

Sarah - I am SO sorry you have lost your glasses. I moved my den furniture good this morning and didn't find them. Ann said she didn't think they could be here because Sarah had them when she was at their home on Thanksgiving and she left directly from there to go to her home. That is a long time to be without your glasses - I would have to just stay in bed if I didn't have mine for that long. We will all be on the lookout for them!!! I am excited for you to have your kitchen counters put on Jeannie. (Jean said they would be here this week and would be installed and then she will be able to finish her wallpapering). I can't believe you can do that. I need to do some sanding of my kitchen cabinets and then oil them and also some painting but I am having a hard time "getting in the mood". Ricky worked at the golf course yesterday and will again today - it is just like Spring here!!! People are golfing in the valleys and skiing in the mountains.

Ellen Mae called me a few minutes ago - it alarmed me because I just talked to her last night and it was "Prime Time". They have invited me to go to Palm Springs with them tomorrow and come back on Sunday. They have a widow friend who has a condo in Palm Springs and she has invited them and told them they could bring me along. I am still trying to decide - I have never been to Palm Springs and it would be so much fun to be with them. My problem is that this week is our Ward Conference and I am supposed to speak on Sunday and also there is a Relief Society Stake Leadership meeting on Saturday morning. I KNOW my counselors could take my place. If you call here and don't get an answer you will know I have gone. When we were growing up there was a girl who lived right next to Ellen Mae and Gene and she was Gene's age - her name was Jeanne Adamson and we were all very close. Anyway she married Earl Watson and they have lived in Anchorage Alaska all their lives and have been really strong leaders in the church there. They have a very outstanding family - two girls and four boys. Jeanne was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago and she died last week and they buried her in Richmond, Utah - by Logan. I would have gone to the graveside services but Ellen Mae said she couldn't get me - I'm not surprised!!! Ellen Mae's brother, C.R., who is a quadriplegic came from California for the services and is staying with Ellen Mae and Mel. He will go back to his home in Palm Springs tomorrow. C.R. was practicing dentistry in Anchorage when he had his automobile accident and the Watsons helped them all so much. C.R. was a really good friend of Jeanne Adamson's brother - he went to the Naval Academy in Colorado Springs but died a long time ago with Lou Gehrig's disease. I know this doesn't interest you but it is "journal stuff".

Julianna came by for a minute one day last week. They are doing fine. I haven't heard from the Bob or Roy Mellors. Chris called me and said the Little Rock weather was cold but pretty. I don't believe Bob and Claire will find prettier weather in Florida than we have here but then they aren't going there for the weather. Roy & Patrice - I hope your remodeling is going well.

I talked to my brother Don last night - his 66th birthday is this Wednesday. They just came home from California where they went for a baptism of one of their grandsons. Their son Clint and his wife are expecting a baby in July.

Jared Pinegar is so sweet to me. We were at Stake Leadership Meetings on Saturday (he is in the Bishopric of their ward) and he said they would save me a seat for Stake Conference on Sunday. I told him I wanted to sit in the chapel so I could hear better. When I got to church I looked all over for them and couldn't see them so I sat by my neighbors. He finally spotted me and stood up - they had come early to get seats on the very first row. His wife Stephanie is expecting a baby in March - do you remember that about a year ago they had a little baby girl stillborn?

Elaine called me on Saturday. She is back home in her condo but she is seriously thinking of moving to the Seville - that is a very nice retirement home quite close to my home. She says her leg is not healing and they will determine in another month if they will have to put a pin in it. She will never be able to drive again and I think the Seville would be a perfect place for her. That's where I want to go when I get too old to stay alone.

Two of my little neighbor friends have been here playing in the playroom. They just love to come over - something different from their homes.

I went to the temple two days last week. I had to do initiatory work Tuesday at 7 p.m. so I decided to go early - I was there from 2 o'clock until 9 p.m. The next day they called to see if I would go through with a woman who has lived in our ward for 25 years and she decided to go to the temple. I had never met her before but it was a good thing to do. That's all the news and then some!!!

I love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO and let me know how I can help you.

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