On the Road

One last ride.  I spent the day crisscrossing the east valley.  I met a number of very interesting people and enjoyed their company.  But as it turned out I am grateful that I changed my mind and decided to take one last ride.  I picked up a man not far from where I live but the trip involved about a 25-mile ride to the very very outer edges of Queen Creek.  He was probably in his late 50s and was extremely engaging.  After he told me about a lawsuit that he has against the prison system I knew that I was transporting a once incarcerated criminal.  The lawsuit was against prison guards who according to his story, beat him up when they found a weapon on his.  That is his version and I wouldn’t have even considered arguing about his rights or theirs!  But this wasn’t my last ride.  I dropped him off and decided to turn off the ride ap and head home.  As I was getting back into the edge of Gilbert, I decided that I would go ahead and take one more passenger so I turned it back on.  Within a minute I had a job offer.  What an interesting trip that became and I was so grateful that I got to meet a most impressive and positive woman.  She was in a wheel chair and had just recently been released from the hospital.  Her leg was missing from just above the knee as a result of a car accident.  A lady ran through a light and hit her and her red motorcycle.  After helping her put her 0xygen tank, bag and her in the back seat she asked, “Are you LDS?”  I was!  She told me she had prayed when she finished her appointment that someone really nice would be her driver back to her house.  Thus, my impression to take one last ride!  After getting her wheelchair in the back of my car I was enthralled by one story after another.  I honestly hated to have the trip come to an end.  She had been a police officer in New York.  She was just ending maternity leave when she was called to go as a medic on a domestic dispute call with the police.  They had been told that a man had pushed his pregnant wife down the stairs and was barricaded in the house.  As she was getting into her car, she said a voice told her to put her bullet proof vest on but she thought that she was only going in after everything was secured so she hesitated.  Again, the voice told her to get her vest and put it on.  She then put on the vest and headed to the call.  After receiving the all clear that the suspect was secured, she entered with her partner.  Apparently, the man wasn’t secured and within seconds he shot her and her partner.  Her shot was directly at her heart which knocked her back.  He then went over to her and aimed at her head.  She said she prayed that Heavenly Father would help her and then the mans hand started shaking and the gun fired into her abdomen area.  She survived but her career was over as a result of the wounds from the gun shot.   Two months later her husband passed away from terminal cancer.  She then took her children and moved to Mesa.  This was just one of the fascinating stories she shared.  Once we arrived at her home I met her husband who was once a Rabbi, and then a Baptist, and after meeting and falling in love with her he became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And now you understand why I was so grateful that I took one last ride!

A Joke

Question:  Why did the math book look so sad?

Answer:  Because it had so many problems!

On the Road

 I took a week off so that I could attend Lexy and Ellis’s wedding.  On my first day back, it was not as enjoyable for me and although I had no issues, the people in the car were okay but not interested in conversing until my last ride.  He was actually my first passenger when I began as a driver.  When I was sent to the address, I knew it was for a kidney dialysis patient.  I was excited when he came out and I recognized him and he recognized me.  We spent the ride home talking about Utah after I told him about the wedding.  He told me about taking his daughter up there once because seeing Monument Valley had been on her bucket list.  It is interesting how just one common word can begin a conversation.  I have run the gamut on dialysis patients.  Some have come out hardly able to walk, some who don’t seem like they had just had a major procedure done.  I have picked up one lady twice who gets in the car and asks me to turn off any cold air because she is freezing.  She is sure that they put the blood in a freezer before returning it to her body.  I don’t know what really happens in there but I always sympathize with her.   One of the things that touches me the most is that they know that they will be going back again and again and yet they are positive and upbeat in spite of that.

As I have mentioned before I would say 90% of the passengers I take and pick up have issues with drugs.  I picked up a man today who spent the almost 45-minute ride telling me about his cheating wife (don’t worry—I think it was mostly in his imagination) and how her boyfriend was coming through the attic grates to be with her.  He also told me that he had a dream and met Jesus.  He said it was really cool because Jesus had dreadlocks and all kinds and colors of lights emanating from him.   While on this subject I want to say one thing about marijuana.  Anyone who voted for and even thought that drugs like marijuana should be legal should spend the day with me watching one passenger after another who have hardly any life left in them.  I believe drugs have destroyed more lives that we can even comprehend.  I am never afraid to transport them but more often than not I grieve at the life that has been destroyed because of a weed wrapped up in paper.

Plant City, Florida!

Today Owen was recognized at the Call Day 2022 ceremony where he and others received their vicarage and internship assignments.  I have to admit I was praying for California but how can anyone complain about Florida!  I am so proud of him and I loved that Aunt Becky was there and could enjoy her "proud momma moment."  Congratulation Owen!  They are so blessed to have you serving the congregation in Plant City.  

Happy Birthday Amy!

 

A  daughter is God's way of saying,                                                                                           "I thought you could use                                                                                                a life long friend."

Side Trip

On the way up to the wedding the California Duncan's made a little side trip to the Freemont Indian State Park.  During the construction of Interstate 70, the largest known Fremont Indian village was uncovered.  Along with the recreation of some of the outside areas there is a museum with artifacts, petroglyphs, and pictographs, pottery, baskets and arrowheads.   

Hailey

While in Utah this week I had a wonderful visit with Hailey.  We are mutual fans of one Brigham Duncan!

Scholarship

Yesterday before heading off to Prom (pictures will follow) Ruth attended a scholarship ceremony where she received $1,000.00 from the Friends of the Library organization.  She had to write an essay to apply and she received one of 10 scholarships that were awarded.  If there is anything we know about Ruth it is that she LOVES reading.  In fact she was almost late to the program because she was looking at a book sale in the library!  The scholarship was to spend on school supplies in preparation for attending college next year.  I suspect a laptop and printer will be one of her purchases but wouldn't be surprised if she throws in a book of two! Congratulations Ruth!

The Newlyweds

 Congratulations

Ellis & Alexis Duncan

April 21, 2022

                                 Sealed for "time and eternity"                                       in the Bountiful Utah Temple

Tender Moment

I had to go to Hobby Lobby this morning to find something I could use to make tablets for the ten commandments to teach my primary class about.  When I walked in the door I did a quick double take because there was an older lady sitting in the entry area waiting for someone who was shopping.  She looked so much like Grandma Duncan it surprised me.  I went in and found what I needed.  After paying I walked out just as the lady I had seen earlier stood up and (I assumed her daughter) she took her hand as they exited the building.   Just as they got outside another daughter came in who was about 8 years old holding her mothers hand.  It just touched my heart thinking about how throughout our lives the roles get reversed.  How grateful I am to know that in the coming years one of you will take my hand and hold on to me when I need help,.  

Did You Know

Marion Franklin Lambert 1893-1962

That on February 5, 1918 your great-great grandfather, Marion Franklin Lambert, was on the troop ship Tuscania heading to fight in World War I when it was torpedoed by a German submarine.  He survived but had a head injury that caused problems for him the rest of his life.  The people living on the island of Islay came out and helped recover bodies and survivors of the disaster.  More than 200 American soldiers died that day.  Eventually Marion made it to France where he served until his release from the Army.

Happy Birthday Peter!

13 Years Old

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment,

until it becomes a memory.

 

Happy Birthday Rachel!

 25 Years Old

Children are the                  rainbow of life.

Grandchildren are the 

pot of gold!

Happy Birthday Duncan!

 13 Years Old

Just when you think you know love, something little comes along to remind you just how big it is.

Back to School

I went back to school today as a "mystery reader" in Eden's second grade class.  I had so much fun and it made me miss my old job.  The kids were fabulous and loved the four books I shared with them.  The program involves the teacher inviting someone to come and read to their class.  The teacher gives them clues as to who the reader is and then she opens the door and invites the reader in.  When the teacher told her class that the mystery reader made a scrapbook for each of her grandkids Eden lit up. I haven't had so much fun reading a book in a long time and I think the kids enjoyed the books as much as I enjoyed watching their faces as I turned each page.   

On the Road

Today I had an interesting beginning for the new week.  It started pretty calm but when I got my second call it was to an address I had been to once before.  And I made a note to self that if that address comes again, I will decline the job.  My first week on the job I went to this address where I encountered a man who was screaming and cursing and expressing his distain for all white people to anyone who would listen.  He came at me and although I quickly opened the door thinking he was going to leave he let me know that he also hated me.  I chose not to ask why or express my sorrow that he didn't like me.  Fortunately, I wasn’t transporting him! Move forward to a few weeks later as I followed Google maps and realized, as I got close to the destination, why I recognized the address. I had a prayer in my heart that if he was still around and angry at all white people, I wouldn’t have to hold the door for him.  He wasn’t there but this time I drove up to see three employees trying to calm down a young woman who was determined not to go where they wanted me to transport her to.  I sat quietly in my car hoping that she would continue to refuse entry but once given the option to go back into the facility that involved locked cells she finally agreed to get into my car.  Imagine my dismay when I found out that I had a 40-mile drive ahead of me to get her to her next residence.  Being the grandma that I am I told her that I was glad I could drive her.  I couldn’t help but smile when I had a flash back to my school days as she put two fingers together and zipped her mouth shut.  Actually, I found that pretty reassuring.  I did ask her if she would mind if I listened to my book on tape and she nodded in agreement so on it went.  Probably not my best idea as the readers voice came alive talking about the murder in the mystery book I was listening too.  I didn’t want to insult her by turning the tape off so I just hoped that her past history didn’t involve doing bodily harm to anyone. 

That was the beginning of my day and I am happy to share that at the end of my day I met a woman in her golden years who asked me if I had been “saved”?  I told her that I try to be saved every day.  She further wanted to know if I had been baptized in water and I told her I had been when I was 10 years old.  She was very proud of me!  She then told me of her conversation from being a Catholic to becoming a Christian.  It was a very beautiful story in which God told her if she wanted to know Him she needed to read the book on her nightstand.  And she did.  For the 45 days of Lent, she read the Bible each day and came to know Heavenly Father and Jesus.  She said when she learned about them, she learned that she didn’t need to drink anymore and she found a different church to become a member of.  The rest has become history.  And today she got to bear her testimony to me and I was able to bear mine to her.  Win-Win.

It's Getting Real

All over the neighborhood these signs are appearing in front yards.  I was excited when I saw this in the
Whitney's front yard!

Happy Birthday Jane!

15 Years Old 

 

Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful.  It means you will love and be loved for the rest                of your life.

Back on the Court

Jane was back on the Volleyball court today.  I was able to go watch her play and couldn't believe how much her skills have developed since she started.  I know I'm prejudice but I think she won the game today! 

 

Recognition

 Katie received a text telling her that she had been chosen by Ensign College to receive an award.  Each department  at the college nominated a student to get awards and Katie was chosen to receive one from the Health Professions department.  The awards ceremony was on Thursday night in Salt Lake.  On her award it says, "For exhibiting selfless, admirable service at the College and striving to become a capable and trusted disciple of Jesus Christ."  Those of us who know Katie, know why they would choose her.  Congratulations Katie for being such an amazing person and making us all proud to be related to you! 

On the Road 1

Part 1

I’m not sure I completely understand why I decided to become a medical transport driver in the beginning.  Much of my motivation was the fact I needed to get myself out of debt and into a more secure plan for my future.  Having two weddings and a large tax bill was plenty of incentive.  And being honest with myself. I never learned how to live within my means which prompted me to adjust my mindset and make that happen.  Another great incentive was that as busy as I try to be I found myself wasting a lot of time and also yearning to be around people.  The television noise is the background wasn’t filling the void that has existed since Scott passed away. 

After going through all the testing and training I began an adventure that has had so many interesting experiences and I found that what I have decided to do has been a perfect match for me.  I earn money each day.  I drive and I talk to a variety of people.  I see the good, the bad, and the ugly, and it captivates me.  I have listened to, talked to, commiserated and empathized with so many people.  I get to offer sympathy and encouragement and let them know that someone cares about what they say.  I have come to be reminded that I have been incredibly blessed.  I have gained confidence in being able to help me know how to help my passengers know—that I care about them, and love that they are willing to share some of their life's journey with me.   They often thank me when they leave the car but I can sincerely say “thank you” for coming into my life if only for a brief moment. 

On Sunday night I watched an episode on Call the Midwife which dealt with the issue of homelessness in the 60’s in England.  The nuns and midwives were extending their service to other community problems at that time.  That included the homeless people living along the docks.  They had lived in abandoned buildings and were pretty much invisible until those buildings started being torn down to be replaced with newer buildings to house the community and the businesses.  This in turn, drove the homeless out onto the streets.  In the story line, one of the characters in the story asked the question, “How do you do it?  Seeing people so broken with so much want?”  Since I have been driving, I have found that about 90% of the people I am transporting are because of some form of addiction.  The rest are being transported to and from kidney dialysis, cancer treatments, mental health challenges, and other illnesses that require medical attention.

On the Road 2

Part 2

Have I ever been afraid?  Not of the people in the car but often in some of the neighborhoods where I have to drop off my passenger.  There have been a couple of times where I had the strong impression that I shouldn’t get out of the car and knock on a door when the person didn’t answer the phone letting them know I was outside waiting.  In another case I had one gentleman who was having a very heated argument with someone in his imagination and the language and the threats toward his imaginary foe were extreme.  In spite of that I wasn’t afraid for myself, but nervous that he would jump out of the car as I was driving down the freeway.  I have to admit I exceeded the speed limit to get him to his destination and out of the car as soon as possible! 

What is the hardest thing to deal with?  SMELLS!  The only smells I have experienced and have been overwhelmed by was the smell of cigarettes and cannabis.  One Saturday I decided to drive because I missed a day during the week.  Every single person I picked up was literally suffocating my senses with the smell from smoking either tobacco or cannabis.  Although the smell of cigarettes is definitely strong it doesn’t come close to the putrid odor that soaks into the clothes of a marijuana smoker.  No one will ever convince me that the damage being done to people who smoke weed isn’t going to be so far reaching and as or more destructive than cigarettes have proven to be.  After that one day of driving, I decided that I wouldn’t drive on Saturdays again.

I thought on one of my drives that I should share some of the things I learned about the people who were in my car.  No names because I keep no record of the people I meet—just the impressions.  For this first part I will just highlight a few of the experiences I’ve had since I started driving but later, I will update more often. 

One the Road 3

Part 3  

One of the first people I met as a driver was a gentleman who I enjoyed visiting with immediately.  He had come from California where he had once been a policeman.  We hit it off immediately because he and I shared a common distain for labor unions.  He shared some of his experiences and I shared some of mine.  We readily agreed that the bad employees thrive because the labor unions protect people that should have been fired long ago.  Yet they are insulated from the consequences of their mediocre job performance because whenever trying to deal with their incompetence a brick wall called labor unions protect them from receiving the disciplines and often dismissal that they deserve.  I have driven him a number of times and the minute he gets in the car we have a wonderful conversation on various issues.   

One of the sadder experiences I had was picking up a young woman.  When I asked her if she was comfortable or needed more air in the backseat, she replied that she was fine.  I recognized right away that she had an accent from another country.  She said nothing more the rest of the drive.  You can’t imagine how sick I felt when we arrived that her drop off destination which was a literal tent city just east of the Arizona state capitol.  I have heard about tent cities in California and have definitely seen homelessness in our area but nothing prepared me for hundreds of tents clustered together and the trash and filth that I saw wherever I looked.  It was painful to see the people that had made this their home. 

On The Road 4

Part 4 

One of the goals I made for myself after driving for a few days without much interaction was to first thank them for driving with me, and then after a few minutes I always ask “Are you a native Arizonan or a transplant?”  From that question I find out if they are interested in having a conversation or want to be left alone.  It has been so great to hear of their reasons for moving here if a transplant or how quickly the conversation turns into living in Arizona in the summer.  I share with them that I was born and raised in Arizona but we left for California with our children and moved to Victorville where we lived for almost 40 years.  It is fun when they actually know where Victorville is.  I had passenger who grew up in Apple Valley and went to Granite Hills High School.  Another man’s mother lives there now.  Many California transplants get rides with me and it’s always fun to hear were they lived, especially when I know exactly where their towns are.  I transported a blind black woman to a doctor’s appointment who was in her late sixties.  She told me that they moved to California when she was a little girl and her father was so proud because he had savings bonds and was able to use them to put a down payment on a house in Garden Grove.  She said it was an all-white neighborhood.  I worried when she told me that and asked how their family was treated.  She said everyone was very nice and her neighbors treated their family very well.  I was so happy to hear that.  My most recent passenger said that she and her husband moved to Arizona from Portland, Maine.  Believe me we had a lot to talk about and the Holy Donut shop came up in the conversation right away!

On the Road 5

Part 5 

Each day as I travel around the East Valley and Phoenix, I am amazed at how many places I have never been before and how changed many of the places are that I remembered when I was younger.  I picked up a young man on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation and had never even known it existed.  I was struck by the beauty of the area.  Phoenix is definitely a little worse for wear and yet I always love being there.  When my mother came to live with us in California, after my dad died, her greatest wish was to be able to go back to Phoenix.  I always said I was glad to leave the heat of the valley and California was where I was meant to be.  When I brought Scott back to Arizona to live, before he passed away, I came with a new appreciation for its unique beauty that as a youth was lost on me.

On the Road 6

Part 6  

In the coming time that I drive in my job I hope to share some of the experiences I have with the people that share my car with me.  In such a short time I have heard so many interesting things about people’s lives.  The man who spent 15 years in prison, the young man who was trying to kick a drug addiction.  His mother had a restraining order against him to keep him from coming around her and her daughter.  Another who had four siblings all with a different father and his alcoholic mother.  He told me how one night he was sound asleep she came in and started to beat him with the buckle end of a belt because he forgot to take out the trash.  I especially enjoyed a ride with a husband and wife.  He came here from Illinois and his wife was born and raised in Arizona.  He proceeded to tell me how much he hated Arizona and all the terrible things about living here.  His wife and I had a great time teasing him about learning to grow where you’re planted.  I had another lady with a prothesis on her right leg.  I had just picked her up after having it adjusted and she complained on the ride home that the doctor hadn’t put it on straight.  Each day is an adventure and each story fills me with wonder. 

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

    Grandpa would have           been                                     75 years old today.

   

        Grandpas bring a              little                                         wisdom, happiness,              warmth                           and love to                              every life they touch

Did You Know?

On September 3, 1996 Uncle Bill called.  I wrote in my journal, "After a few minutes into the conversation Bill mentioned that Cathy was sick.  I asked what was the matter and he said she had the Egyptian flu.  Of course I asked what that was and he explained that it meant she was going to be a "mummy"!  My son the comedian.  The baby is due to arrive on April 11, 1997."

Rachel arrived on April 16, 1997 and that's a story for another time!

Happy Birthday Grandma Duncan!

 Gerlene Olive Ogzewalla Duncan

She would have been 101 years old today.

1921-2009

"Family Faces are magic mirrors,  

Looking at people who belong to us,

We see the past, present, and future."

G.L. Buckley

My Project

I have had an idea running through my head for quite some time involving family history.  On Saturday during the afternoon session of General Conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said the following.  "Connecting with our ancestors can change lives. From their trials and accomplishments, we gain faith and strength. From their love and sacrifices, we learn to forgive and move forward. Each of our stories is a journey still in progress, as we discover, create and become with possibilities beyond imagination.”                                                                                                                               

His words rekindled in me a desire to add a new aspect to my blog that I hope will help you know more about each other and those family members before us who have stories to be told and lessons to be learned.  I have given this specific post a title that will be used each time I add something.  I am hoping that each of you might share a family memory of a family story from your ancestors past to add strength to the ability we each have to do something extraordinary because we see what others in our family have done.  The title will be  DID YOU KNOW?

Did You Know?

Your great grandfather Louis Clifford Duncan served in World War II?  He enlisted in 1942 after he completed his mission for the Church in the Spanish speaking mission.  His mission area encompassed Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.  While in basic training they found out that he was fluent in Spanish and so he was selected to be in a newly formed unit called the Counter Intelligence Unit.  He completed Officer Candidate School and then served for a short time in Phoenix and Tucson translating Spanish intelligence documents.  He was eventually sent to Australia and  then on to the Philippines.  He played a big role in breaking the Japanese Battle Code.  He was made 2nd Lieutenant while in Manilla in 1945.  When he finally left the Philippines he arrived back in the states with a bad case a seasickness and malaria.  He arrived back in Utah in December of 1945.   

Joy and Sadness

The 192nd General Conference just ended and I have to admit I shed some tears.  Two weekends out of the year I get to listen to a prophet's voice and hear the word of God.  Not only our dear prophet but those apostles who serve with him and give me insight, courage, and hope to move forward.  Today I missed Grandpa.  I didn't have him to share my enthusiasm with, to ask him which talk he loved the most and to share goals that I set for myself and those he had set for himself during this sacred weekend.  It made me think of Grandma Duncan and realize now why she always called our house to talk to Grandpa after a session that she especially loved.  He made it a point to call her after the priesthood session of conference to share what he had learned and then they spent a good deal of time talking about gospel subjects.  I missed watching him take copious notes of what they speakers were saying.  It is hard to say I had a favorite talk because I was so affected by each speaker.  I don't know if it was because in the last two months I had the opportunity to read the biographies of President Nelson, President Oakes, President Eyring and President Ballard.  Each one I read I came to see how they were prepared to become the leaders of the church as they dealt with challenges, directions their lives should take, and the courage to do what needed to be done to serve the Lord.  The women who spoke in the sessions were amazing as well and I found so much knowledge that will help me in the coming months.  The gospel is true!