DECEMBER 2020 at a GLANCE
December 2: The Wilkins flew back home following a lovely 10 day visit to Utah.
Darrel and I enjoyed the music of Christmas more than ever this year. Most evenings at 6:00 p.m. found us listening to a concert of submitted Christmas music videos from families and groups around the world. The sisters at Temple Square were the MCs. We looked forward to the light it brought to us with anticipation.
I did more last-minute subbing than I had suspected due to illness and difficult circumstances in the busing department.
December 10, 2020: Uncle Dean died. It was bitter-sweet news. There is no more gentle, genuine, guileless, faithful, kind man than he was. I had determined not to write a Christmas letter this year, but his voice kept coming to mind, encouraging me to never stop because he looked forward to it. The night before his passing I found the inspiration I hadn’t found previously. Uncle Dean was a wonderful example of a “lower light” who faithfully burned every day for over 96 years! I truly loved him.
December 16: Darrel and I took dinner to Payson and enjoyed the evening with Dad in honor of his 89th birthday. I shared the first portion of his Life’s history and read the recent biography of his parents written by Judy Bills. It was a wonderful evening.
December 17: We had our annual brother and sister party this evening. Dick and Mary chose not to come because of COVID concerns. The rest of us gathered at Lisa’s in Nephi for a private party on Dad’s 89th birthday. It turned out to be an evening I will long remember. Dad looked so good and seemed grateful to be with his children.
December 18: Bethany had to drop the kids off to their dad today. We met her in Lehi, visited briefly with the Smith’s prior to Scott’s eye surgery. Then we took Bethany to lunch before she headed back to Idaho.
This month I spent many hours working on the Albert and Anna Burton Kenison Photo history. I’ve done several projects during the pandemic, but this is my magnum opus for certain.
December 23: We were thrilled to have Andrew bring a date to our house today. Darrel made a one-horse open sleigh available as well as tubing behind the 4-wheeler. I made chili, snow dough bread, corn bread, and hot chocolate. Andrew brought the donuts along with Savannah Hanks for an evening of fun. Jordan, Andrea and Hyrum arrived for a five-day Christmas visit.
December 24: We enjoyed a quiet, sacred Christmas Eve. We felt the Spirit of the reason for our celebration and discussed what cause we have to rejoice because of that first Christmas, following our shepherd’s dinner.
December 25: We had a lovely Christmas morning with the Silottis filled with gifts and good food. We drove down to Yuba in the afternoon and enjoyed a walk and the distinct sounds of a frozen lake.
December 26: Our “Utah” family met at Mellors this evening for a Christmas dinner and an evening of fun. I was so grateful that Brenda initiated it and sponsored it. Darrel and I visited Dan Lee on the way up and then picked Dad up to join us for the dinner. He seemed pleased to be included and several mentioned how good it was to see him. We enjoyed a few lights on the way home.
December 28: Following our study this morning, we wrote up an ad for someone to live in our basement while we serve a mission. After fasting, we felt those who would end up staying were people we didn’t know but could find through someone we did. We sent it to all we felt inspired to share it with. We had three contacts before noon. Two came from sharing with the Stake High Counsel and one from my book group. It’s amazing how fast things come together when we seek inspiration and follow it. Joseph Thorne and his wife stopped by to see our basement tonight. They would be a great asset to the ward, but have an inside dog that I am not comfortable with. Darrel had his final sleep test tonight. We hope the months of waiting are over and that he has some answers and help soon.
December 29: Brandon Pettit and his fiancĂ©e stopped by to see our basement tonight. Kay is in our Levan book group and we’ve known Brandon for years but feel that this would not be a wise fit for them because they aren’t planning to be married until August.
December 30: Brother and Sister Liddle from Cedar City came this morning to see our basement. They stayed to visit for three hours. We learned much about them and feel they are our first choice if it works out. Darrel went up to visit my Dad today. We cleaned his fridge which was beyond gross and helped him do some shopping. We had our eyes checked and ordered glasses, so we’ll be ready to serve our mission. The exams and two pair of glasses each was less than $475 so we were grateful.
December 31: Brenda had surgery on her left hand this morning. Early signs indicate she may do better this time around. Recovery on her right hand was a long and painful process. Janna, Caden, Abby, Ammon and Sam came down for lunch today and to play in the snow. It was so fun to watch their kids have their first real encounter with snow. The one-horse open sleigh ride was the draw, but the tube behind the four-wheeler was the most fun. We celebrated the New Year with Lionel and Linda by having an amazing assortment of traditional favorites from each couple,
FAREWELL TO 2020! A difficult year of change in many ways but full of silver linings and increased understanding!
