June 5 Letter

Caleb:

I hope things are going well for you.

Mom is single-mindedly putting the yard in.  It's a lot of work and I've been helping her and doingmy best to be positive.  Today the sun was hot and I had to go out mid-day and water cause all the newly planted plants were wilting.  Hopefully we can get everything in shortly.  It will look awesome once we are done.

This week has been a busy family week with Grandpa's funeral.  Thursday night was the viewing and Friday was the funeral.  I went out on Thursday and spent time with those who came to pay their respects to Grandpa.  

The entire day was taken on Friday with funeral proceedings.  The program was very good.  You grandpa spoke and did a nice job.  it was a great send-off and one that made me extremely proud to be a Gibbons.  Grandpa was a great man.  Darrell spoke and told everyone that he'd never heard Grandpa say a profane word and that Grandpa had never physically hit him when he was a kid.  By the time Darrell was done, I felt like a schmuk.  I left the meeting resolved to do better.

Tonight Jacob received the Melchizedek Priesthood and I gave it to him.  He is ready to check out and get on with his life.  Mom is feeling like we haven't done enough together as a family and that when Jacob leaves it will be another huge missed opportunity for our family.  My council to you is to value your family and do things with them.  Vacation and work together to the extent that you can.  I don't think I've done a very good job as a father in this regard.  Anyway, learn from my mistakes and do better with your marriage.

It likely won't be long and Grandma Follett will go as well.  She has finally started to slip and it looks like it will be a matter of time before she's done.

Anyway, lot's happening here with family. Keep your eye on the prize there.  Life is good and we are blessed.

I love you,

Dad