Family Reliance

We all are blessed to be part of an extended family that accepts the responsibility of caring for each other and sharing with each other when necessary. I believe this is the essence of the teachings of Jesus and the basis of religion.

My Grandfather Davis passed away when my Father was a young teen. Dad entered the workforce after completing the eighth grade in school. He became the sole support for my Grandmother and his four younger brothers and sisters. Dad worked on the railroad wrecker out of Elko Nevada. The winters were lonely and frigid for a young boy away from home. The summers were worse. The intense desert heat with no relief from the Sun. All he earned was sent home to his Mother.

Later he transfered to Portola California on the Feather River Canyon portion of the railroad. He met my Mother in Salt Lake City when he was was 24 and she was 19. They were married in 1929 after Grandmother Dewar passed and Dad was working in Salt Lake City. They provided support to Grandmother Davis until she passed in 1936.

There was no Social Security or pension system available during those years and without the support of my Father and Mother and the sacrafice they made my 2 aunts and 2 uncles along with Grandmother Davis would not have had any financial resources.

In 1952, when I was 7 years old, my Father had a very serious heart attack. He was out of work for at least 6 months and Mother stayed home with him to provide care. I lived with Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wiley during that period. I remember visiting home on Saturdays. All of my Aunts and Uncles came by to see my parents on Saturday. When they left they each left a $10.00 bill on the table. My Mother kept careful record of their generosity and when Mom and Dad were back to work each family member was re-paid.

On my birthday that year my aunts and uncles bought me the most beautiful bicycle in the world. It was red, white and blue and I rode it with pride until I was 16. It was top of the line and had a battery powered horn and lights, unheard of in the neighborhood. I felt very special to receive such a gift.

While I was on my mission in California I received a phone call from the mission president requesting that I go to my Uncle Rod's house for dinner on Sunday. I was in Reno Nevada and was delighted by the invitation. When my companion and I arrived all of my California cousins were there and we had a glorious Davis family party. Near the end of the evening Uncle Rod took me into the bedroom and told me that my Father was in the hospital and was not expected to live. He said he had spoken to the mission president and I could be released 2 months early to be with my parents. It was my choice.

I knew immediately what my Father would want me to do and I finished my mission. When I arrived home two months later I found my Dad in failing health but he had waited for me to come home. He lived for several more weeks. He and I went to the "roller derby" at the fairgrounds and he lived to see me start classes at the U and to get a good job.

After his funeral Uncle Rod took me to the back yard with my cousin Ed. Ed's Dad (Uncle Dave) had passed two months before my Dad. Uncle Rod told us how much he loved his two brothers and how close they had been. He spoke of my Father as though he was Uncle Rod's Father. He then told now that his bothers were gone he was now our Father. We were to come to him for anything we needed and to look to him for guidance.

That is what my family was like. That was the value of their lives. Now all of my Aunts and Uncles and most of my cousins are gone. But the memories, example and traditions live on through me, your Mother, you and now your children. We are a family.

Wallace Stegner

I hope they have found enough pleasure along the way so that they don't want it ended.
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It should not be denied...that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression and law and irksome obligations, with absolute freedom, and the road has always led west.
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The air is so crisp it gives me a brief, delusive sense of health and youth. Those I don't have but I have learned not to scorn the substitutes: quiet, plenty of time, and a job to spend it on.
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A muddy little stream, a village grown unfamiliar with time and trees. I turn around and retrace my way up Main Street and park and have a coke in the confectionery store. It is run by a Greek, as it used to be, but whether the same greek or another I would not know. He does not recognize me, nor I him. Only the smell of his place is familiar, surupy with old delights, as if the ghost of my first banana split had come close to brethe on me.
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Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness go.
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There it was, there it is, the place where during the best time of our lives friendship had it's home and happiness it's headquarters
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It is the beginning of wisdom when you recognize that the best you can do is choose which rules you want to live by, and it is persistent and aggravated imbecilitdy to pretend you can live without any.

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Go Utes!

It was a magic moment. There I sat one of 45,000 in Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was the last second of the Utah Oregon State football game. The score was tied and Utah had one last play. In the eternity it took for the ball to be snapped, placed, and leave the magic toe of Louie Sakota the stadium fell breathlessly silent.

It was in that instant, among all those Utes, now united in a single purpose, I realized that I belonged exactly where I was. I am a Ute. I spent many happy childhood days at the U with my uncle and cousin. I went to my first football game when I was 10 years old. Later I became a student, a member of the marching band, a studentbody officer, an alumni, an administrator, and now a student again.

It was on this campus that the hope I had for my future became opportunity. Here I made lifelong friends, learned to appreciate beauty, and how to recognize and embrace truth. I met Susan here and we watched our children graduate.

Descended from Welsh coal miners, I was the first in my family to savor a university education. All the good things that have become mine began here. I belong here, I am a Ute.

The ball clears the goal and the stadium is electrified. I can't tell you when it happened, describe the process, or even define what it means but this I know. I have a place here. I am a Ute.

Sons and Son-in-Laws

For a long time I have been considering the role of family in my life. You have to remember I grew up as an only child. One Mom, One Dad, One Child. Now there is a family concept I can get my mind around. I know how that works.

I know how it feels to be alone at times. I know how much I enjoyed private times with my Dad after school before Mom got home from work. We used to talk, sing harmony, fix dinner and just be together. I remember being very young taking naps in the afternoon with my Mom when we would listen to radio (before TV there were children's hours on radio in the afternoon). I was always the focus of all that attention and I loved the adoration.

Often people will ask me "don't you miss having brothers and sisters". My answer is always the same: "I don't know, I never had any I have a hard time understanding what it would be like".

It wasn't until I met Susan that I really considered family in a larger sense. Susan has always had a larger vision for life than I have. From 2 door automobiles to 3 bedroom houses, to dinner for 3 on Sundays I have been stretched into beliving in 9 passanger vans, 6 bedroom houses and enormous Sunday dinners with lots of people.

I must confess that for many years I sat and watched in amazement at the Smith Family events.
When each of the children were born the confusion, noise and demands often got to me and I would retreat to the bedroom. Susan has always been wonderful. She taught me how to be a parent and her example of giving to the family is incredible. All her energy has always been spent on home and family.

Now I watch Brad, Nate, Rick, Shane, James and soon Mathew take on the role of Father. I have been amazed at Brads ability to walk through the front door, put away the outside world and give his whole soul to Missy and the children. No interest of Sam's escapes his view and nothing stops him from understanding Sam's world and happily embracing life from that perspective. Nate is a marvel. From the time Asher was born Nate has been the most important person in his life. He is always aware of where his "Dad" is and learns, the role of a man from a true man -Nate. You can read in Nate's face the longing to be a "soccer coach" for the boys.

Shane has waited the longest to be "Dad". Preparing for Davis was an all consuming process for Shane. From the murals in the nursery to the "hot wheels" collection it is clear where Shane's heart is when it comes to his family. Rick has held the title the longest. It has been an honor to watch his quiet influence on each of the children. In his quiet peaceful way he has conveyed love to the Martin family.

Susan and I have marveled at James and his care of Nicholas. From the very beginning James has been a great Dad. We have never changed a diaper or been asked to "sit". When "little dude" is at our house he is with his Dad. Matthew is next to wear "the order of the diaper". The way he has shown his love for Jenny I know he will be a great Dad.

Five Son-in-laws and one Son who is a Father. They provide the same example, the tradition and bring heartfelt gratitiude to my heart for the way they have stepped up to care for my daughters and grand children. If I would have designed boys for my girls I could not have made better choices.

Someday I will write each of you of my gratitude. It is you that will lead our family, and care for them all and love them. The time is long spent that our children can be taught by parents. It is the dawn of your day to teach the next generation. I thank the Lord, and the keen eye of my daughters, for bringing you into this huge family.

Susan and I often speak of the sweetness of each family circle. In time Steve and "Sister Alba" and Brian and "his Melissa" will share in the joy of children. Each of these "ladies" have added greatly to the quality of our family.

I think I understand family better now. One heart, one purpose and alot of Love. Thank You Boys. HAPPY BELATED FATHERS DAY.

Aunt Bessie and Uncle Lyle

My Father's next youngest sister and her husband lived two doors East of us all of my young life. They had one Son, Jack. Jack was at least 20 years older than me and always my idle. Part of the reason I loved him so much is because of the love my parents had for him. Before I was born Jack had the great blessing of being raised by his parents and mine. My Dad adored him and taught him all the mechanical skills. Later when I was born Aunt Bess and Uncle Lyle adored me in the same way. When I was very little I remember visiting daily with Aunt Bess. When I was very small they would take me with them to the park in the summer to swing. Sometimes we would park the car on Main Street uptown and just watch the pedestrians pass by. Sometimes we would go to a movie. On very special occasions I could eat dinner with Aunt Bess and Uncle Lyle. Aunt Bess made the best macaroni and cheese, not out of a box, she hand made it herself.

Uncle Lyle had this enormous railroad lantern/flashlight. If I was at there home after dark I could carry the light from their home 75 feet to our home. Uncle Lyle would send me off and my Dad would meet me at the other end. I felt very important and very mature. The next morning I would return the light. One Valentine our doorbell rang and when I opened the door their was a small box on the porch. When I reached down to pick it up it moved away. I went for it again and again in moved. I kept advancing and advancing on the box until the stairs ended the game. Uncle Lyle was in the bushes holding the business end of the string that advanced the box. In the box was my present. When I was very small my favorite toy was a doll that I carried everywhere. The dolls name was "Lyle".

When I was about 5 years old Aunt Bess got terribly ill and was bed ridden until her death 20 years later. I remember she would make me Mormon Tea. This was hot water with a couple of teaspoons of Eagle Brand condensed milk. In the Summer sometimes Aunt Bess would give me a nickle to go to the corner store to buy a fudge sickle. This treat was not for her or me. We would sit on the porch and feed it to King their dog. I loved being with her and feeding the dog. I never saw it strange that we didn't have a fudge sickle also. It was at Aunt Bess and Uncle Lyles house that we celebrated New Years Eve. There I learned of pickled pigs feet, pickled eggs and other delicacies. On Christmas morning the family would gather in their little house about 11:00 to see their presents and then we would go to everyone else's home to see theirs. Uncle Lyle always had Mogen David Wine for the men. Eddie and I would take the cork out of the bottle and smell the rich, sweet fruity wine. We never dared "sneak" a drink.

Uncle Lyle was the best caregiver ever. When Aunt Bess fell ill he devoted himself to her every need. Other than work and shopping he never left her side. During the daytime she had a hospital bed in the living room. He carried her to the bedroom at night. I got out of school at about 2:30 and my Dad got home at 4:00. I could go play, watch TV or countless other things. I always chose to be with Aunt Bess. We would read the cartoons and Dan Valentine in the Tribune. She had a million family stories about my Dad and other family members. I never met my Grandmother Davis but I have a very close relationship with her memory because of the stories Aunt Bess told me.

In Jacks little bed room was a book case. It had alot of Jack's school books. I wanted to go to Granite High because of the Year Books I read when a child. There was a small book about Joseph Smith and another about George Washington. I read them so many times I knew the stories by heart. They became my "historical heroes". One of Jack's text books had the complete Gettysburg Address. Aunt Bess and I memorized it one Summer. Do you want to hear it? Ask sometime.

Uncle Lyle would get Aunt Bess ready for the day before he went to work. My Mom would come home at 10:00 and give her a shot. Noon Mom made her lunch. When she got more feeble my Aunt Suzi came every morning to be with her while Uncle Lyle was at work. On Sunday Mom would fix their Sunday Dinner and I would take it to them on a tray. When Aunt Bess would be in the hospital Mom would make an enormous breakfast on Saturday Morning and Uncle Lyle would spend that time with us. Suzi and I gave blood for Aunt Bess at the old Saint Marks Hospital on 300 West shortly before she died. When she did pass I was in Cedar City attending a Summer Session in leadership. I flew home and Suzi picked me up at the airport (we were not married yet). I remember that every speaker praised Uncle Lyle, Aunt Suzie and my Mom and Dad for the love and care they had shared with Aunt Bess. They all also lamented how ill she was for so long. How she suffered hinting she should have passed along time sooner.Although I never wanted her to suffer. I will be Eternally greatful that she lived those 20 years. She provided a richness to my life that I could have found no where else. She truly loved me and shared so much. Although a very quiet man Uncle Lyle was the world's greatest example.

Since my Dad had died before I married, Uncle Lyle stood by my Mom in the wedding line.
They are at rest now, neighbors to my parents in the Salt Lake City City Cemetary.

"Take Me Out To The Ball Game"

Last Friday Mom and I were the beneficiaries of four free box seat tickets behind home plate at Franklin Quest Field. We also scored VIP parking across the street from the ball park. We literally did not walk 100 yards from car to our ball park seats.

It has been cold in Salt Lake for the last several weeks and I really debated whether I wanted to give up my nice warm recliner for a shivering night at the ball park. Sensing that I would probably wus out Mom took the only action that would guarantee my attendance. That's right she invited Uncle D and Aunt C. Surprisingly it was quite temperate at the game (we were in hoodies, parkas and wrapped in blankets).

We drank Pepsi, ate Colosomo footlongs, and giggled our way through 3 1/2 hours of great baseball. Aunt C was really jazzed about the game. She told us that when she was a little girl she would go to games with friends in the ward and she loved the old Derks Field.

Perhaps it was Aunt C's memories, perhaps the sights, sounds and smells of the ballpark but as we settled into our seats my childhood memories took over and there I was at the old Derks field when I was about 10 years old. Several times during my childhood summers I remember great times with my Dad, Uncles and cousins at the ballpark.

We would meet at one of the Uncles homes and have barbeque. The hamburgers were the best I ever ate. There was fresh corn on the cob, rootbeer and family excitement. Uncle Joe Nichols was the second husband of Aunt Suzi. Bill Kistler (Nelda) and Ethel Kleven's Father (Uncle Billie) died when they were children and Aunt Suzie married Uncle Joe. He was like all my uncles a very strong, 5'8", railroad worker. Uncle Joe was different. He was a Conductor on the Park City train. That was way up the pecking order from the painters, metal workers and mechanics that made up the bulk of my uncles. He fit right into the family. He loved family and good times (translation Fisher Beer). Uncle Biggie Kleven was different. He wore a white shirt and sold lumber. He was also religious. He was Norwegian (one of the Ecker Hill ski jumpers). He married my first cousin Ethel. They grew up together in Southgate Ward. They lived for about 4 years in the "love shack" (with two little boys).

The Kleven cousins, Ken and Keith were 3 and 4 years older than me. My idols. Whatever they did I wanted to do. They were cool. Keith played the trumpet, well you get the picture. To hang out at Derks with the Uncles Joe and Biggie and the "boys" was really big time. Add to that Uncle Dave, Cousin Ed, Grandpa Pegg, Uncle Wiley, Douglas and my Dad and "game night" was over the top in excitement and anticipation.

We always sat on the First Base side of the park on the first row. All the action was right in front of us. I am sure we saw very little of the game, mostly I remember running at top speed all over the grandstand. We owned the place.

Derks field was much smaller in those days. It was the Pioneer League and we played teams like Ogden, Idaho Falls, Magic Valley (Twin Falls) and several other teams from Wyoming and Montana.

Uncle Dave was the athlete in the family he played semi-pro ball when he was a boy. Uncle Wiley was the Polo Coach at the University of Utah and was an acclaimed "steeple chase" horseman. My Dad loved baseball. If we didn't go to Derks I remember Summer nights at Harmony Park (3900 South and Main Street) watching softball games. Dad and I spent long Summer nights playing catch on the front lawn.

All Summer Douglas and I collected baseball cards, played baseball in the streets, and watched games on TV with our Dads. Uncle Wiley taught us how to score the games and we sat for hours at TV trays arguing about RBI's, strikes etc..

There I was at 62 sitting in Franklin Quest reliving the pure joy of my long spent youth. The night was perfect. When we left the game at 10:00 (The Bee's victory was never in question) we were not ready to "call it a night". So we retired to Litza's for a "family special" and an evening of reliving other memories that we have been telling and re-telling for 40 years.

Family, that's all that matters.