Walk with me…

down memory lane. 

A dear family friend passed away on Saturday.  I miss him and I feel for his family.  It can’t be easy to say goodbye to such a wonderful husband and father.  I wish that I could attend the funeral, but I just can’t.  It’s too much money to fly to Utah on such short notice…

Eddie was my parents’ bishop not long after my mom joined the church.  My parents and the Jacksons became good friends when I was still in diapers.   But I don’t remember ever living close to them.  My earliest memories of the Jackson family are after they moved away from Texas to Colorado. 

I don’t have any memories of Eddie as a healthy man.  When I was very young, he was in a horrible car accident, followed by another horrible car accident a few years later.  The Eddie that I knew always used either a wheelchair or walking canes.  That said, he was never handicapped to me.  Never have I known someone so full of happiness and love.  Never have I known a better example of overcoming adversity.

I remember traveling with my family to Denver after one of the car accidents.  Eddie was doing rehab there, and I think my only memory of the whole trip was hanging out by the swimming pool Eddie used for exercise.  I was amazed that a swimming pool could be indoors.  My dad got in the water with him, and I wanted to, but I wasn’t allowed. 

When we would visit, we would all pile into the large bed in Eddie and Barbara’s bedroom and watch movies together since that’s where Eddie could be most comfortable, and I always got to be next to Eddie.  I was his special little girl then.  At the time they had 6 boys.  Rachelle came later to complete their family, and she took her rightful place as the apple of her father’s eye.

He was always Uncle Eddie to me.  Uncle Eddie and Aunt Barbara.  I don’t remember how old I was when I found out that we aren’t really related.  But, I was crushed.  I felt like I had been lied to.  I remember talking with my dad, and coming to terms with the Jacksons not really being family.  I later came to understand that honorary family members can mean so much more than a blood relative.  Related or not, he is my Uncle Eddie, and she is my Aunt Barbara.  Of course, if my parents had been able to arrange my marriage, the Jacksons would be my in-laws, but it just wasn’t meant to be.  I’m married to the right person for me, and Roger is married to the right person for him.  

The summer that I turned 14, we took a family vacation to Utah, with a stop in Colorado to see the Jacksons.  Eddie had been called to be a Patriarch in his stake, and I wanted him to give me my patriarchal blessing.  So, while we vacationed there, he gave me my special blessing.  I’m grateful that I got to share that event with people who mean so much to me.

I visited the Jacksons several years ago, before I met Doug.  I stayed with them for a few days, and we had such a good time.  We played card games.  I really wish I could remember the rules to Hand and Foot.  That was a fun game.  :)  We watched movies in bed, just like when I was a kid… Les Miserables.  I remember watching Les Mis, several versions.  I love Les Miserables. 

Eddie made the best  tapioca pudding.  I know he just followed the recipe on the package, but mine doesn’t taste as good.  Or, maybe it just isn’t made by the right person.  Tapioca pudding with strawberries – always reminds me of Uncle Eddie. 

Every time I hear the hymn “There is Sunshine in My Soul Today” I think of Eddie. 

We went for a long drive one day.  I don’t remember the exact route, but I know that we drove to Heber.  We stopped at the temple in Logan.  We took pictures of elk in Brigham City.  Eddie watched from the truck as I played in two-foot deep snow near Bear Lake.  This Texas girl had never seen so much snow.  It was white as far as I could see.  We drove to Evanston, Wyoming, and then back to American Fork.  Eddie loved to take drives through the country, stopping to take pictures all along the way.   I love his photography.  From the driver’s seat of his truck, he captured some really beautiful pictures.

Throughout the day, we talked as he drove.  We talked about fun things that had happened in my childhood and in his.  I asked him how he helped his children learn to choose the right.  He and Aunt Barbara sent their six sons on missions, and all seven of their children have married in the temple.  They are a Mormon success story for sure, and I want my family to be like theirs, just not with as many children.  Three is enough for me.  :)  I asked him about his experience as a patriarch.  We talked about my parents when they were younger, and the fun things that they all did together when the Jacksons lived on the farm in west Texas.  I think that day was near-perfect, certainly one the most memorable days of my life.

A few years later, I met Doug.  In December 2001, Doug met with my father for permission to marry me.  My dad gave permission, but suggested that Doug also ask Eddie.  Eddie asked Doug all the “dad” questions.  He asked Doug about his family, about his mission, his callings in the church, his testimony of the gospel.  Thankfully, he gave his permission, and Doug and I were married a few months later.

Two years ago, we visited Utah, and it was great to introduce my husband to Uncle Eddie and Aunt Barbara.  We had a great triple date.  We got a babysitter for the kiddos and saw a wonderful play at this cool theater-in-the-round with Eddie and Barbara as well as Carl and his then-girlfriend, Dana.  What a great evening that was! 

Eddie had lived a large portion of his life limited and pained by his injuries.  When my mom called on Saturday to give the news of Eddie’s death, all these memories began flooding my mind.  I cried, but I can’t be sad for Eddie.  At last, he is free from pain. 

Honestly, never have I personally known anyone as good as Eddie.   Eddie influenced my life in ways that I can’t fully explain.  He inspired me with his undying faithfulness to the gospel, with his cheerful attitude smiling through his many trials, with his love for me and my family, and with his wonderful example.  What a legacy he has!  I’m so glad to be a part of it.

 

Sorry for the really long post.  Some things just need to be said.