San Diego

The California Duncan's explored the next part of California this weekend.  The trip involved a variety of activities and everyone of them sounded great.  There was snorkeling ,  a trip to Legoland, boogie boarding, exploring, a visit to the aeronautics museum at Balboa Park, good eating, and some shopping.  Here are some of the pictures Uncle Andy sent.

Happy 4th of July!

I have heard many polls that have been taken that say that there are far to  many people who are not proud of be an American.  I love that we live in a country where we can stand up and without fear of reprisal say such things--even though I can't comprehend their short-sightedness.  I am not proud of the leaders that are in charge of our country right now.  I appreciated President Trump's ability to see a problem and work to make improvements but was saddened that his caustic personality often overshadowed the good he was doing.  But I have also lived on this earth long enough to know that we have freedoms that others can't even comprehend.  If you doubt that, ask the question, "Why are thousands of people breaking our laws to come into the United States."  Our country does have issues that need to be worked on and resolved.  Believe me I see daily and visit with many homeless in my car and the tragedy of their lives often overwhelms me.  But I also see all the agencies who work so hard on the behalf of these painful people who have slipped through the cracks and believe there is no hope for them.  So although I am not always proud of our leaders--I am ALWAYS GRATEFUL that I live in a country with a beautiful flag that makes me catch my breath when I see it flying and where I do know that at least I am free to disagree, vote, change my mind, and express my opinions and work hard so that I don't become someone else's problem.

Viva la France!

Ellis and Lexy arrived in Toulouse, France!  I suspect after leaving Tahiti on Tuesday and heading out soon after for France they are having a nice case of jet lag.  I feel so bad for them--NOT!  Have a great and rewarding time Ellis and Lexy and keep the pictures coming.  

51st Anniversay

Today Grandpa and I have been married 51 years.  I'm so grateful I can keep counting because our marriage goes on into eternity.  I left church this morning and was going to go to the cemetery for a short talk with my sweetheart.  As I drove, the Gilbert Temple came into view, and I realized that I didn't need to go to the cemetery.  I had a  a temple parking lot that I could stop at and remember that 51 years ago we went into the Mesa Temple and were sealed not just for time but for eternity.  I thank Grandpa for giving me the most wonderful life which provided us with amazing children and their spouses and some of the most incredible grandchildren.  I thanked him for being my friend, my sweetheart, and the person who knows me better than anyone else.  And for loving me in spite of that!

On the Road

 I haven’t written for a while but this past week has been an especially rewarding experience and it has made me want to keep some of those experiences in my story of being a medical transport driver.  This job is full of interesting people, smells, language (not always appropriate language), a few pets, and so many different personalities.  It doesn’t take but a moment to know if I have a passenger who wants to visit along the way or one who doesn’t want any conversation at all.  I can accommodate either one but the ones I love having in my car and care, are those that enjoy a short visit as they would a friend, are my favorites.  

I drove a couple who spoke Arabic and I mentioned that my grandson is taking a language class at BYU to learn Arabic.  She offered to tutor him if he ever needed help.  Another shared with me her experience of being homeless and while living on the street (she was in her late 70’s) a dog walked up to her and never left her side.  I transported a middle aged man to the Veterans hospital and he shared his experience as a black man in the 70’s when his well-known and respected college football coach got up and told them that if any of “you n….” (Sorry, I hate the word and won’t repeat it) ever go around a white girl you will be packed up, and on a plane back where you came from.  My passenger took exception to the use of the word and told the coach that he didn’t want to hear it ever again.  He said when he got back to his dorm room that the college had sent someone in to pack up his room and he was given a plane ticket back home.  That ended his college career until years later after he served in the military and was able to go back to school on the GI bill.  A young man who especially touched my heart was about 25 years old.  He questioned me on why I moved back to Arizona from California and I told him about Grandpa’s Alzheimer’s disease and that he had passed away.  He then told me that he had been married to his high school sweetheart and she died last year.  His pain was evident as he spoke of the grief that he felt, and is still feeling.  Fortunately, the trip was to Phoenix and we had a good deal of time to talk.  I explained that he had every right to grieve and that eventually the pain would lessen and the memories of the happy times they had together will become his treasured memories to deal with his loss.  I was touched when we got to the destination and as he got out of the car  he thanked me for listening to him and for what I had said.  The last of my stories involved a passenger who came out of the doctor’s office using a walker.  She is permanently bent over and had a painful time getting into the car.  After she was settled, I put the walker in the back of the car and began the trip that was 14 miles away.  About three minutes into the ride, she asked if I anything she could throw up in.  Fortunately, I keep a small ice chest with water in the car for the people since the summers here are so intense.  I hurriedly emptied out the chest and handed it back to her (I am on the freeway during this whole process).  She began to throw up for quite a while but it was mostly drive heaves.  Once that was over, I passed back a handful of napkins and a bottle of water and she cleaned up and took some sips of water I gave her.  She kept apologizing over and over.  I told her that she didn’t need to apologize and I’m glad she was feeling better.  As she was heaving in the backseat, I thought how grateful I was that she got into my car so that I could help her.  I like to think that I was a tender mercy for her just as she was to me.

Happy Birthday Austin!

29 Years Old

Just when I thought I knew all about love-- another grandchild came  and fit right into my heart!

Piano Recital

Caleb and Ava had their second piano recital last Saturday.  Uncle Andy said they surprised them with one of  the pieces played on the organ!