With the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple recently completed and the fact that our stake is part of the new temple district, it means that we’ve had the opportunity to provide service for the temple open house. There’s lots of different assignments available, but a couple weeks ago I got the opportunity to do security. This mostly consisted of just standing around and making sure nothing “went down”, but it was a unique opportunity to stroll around the temple grounds after dark by myself. I had the 7pm – 11pm shift so I was there for the last hour of public tours and then for a couple hours after that.

While the temple was open I got to stand just outside the front doors near the fountain and watch all the people go by as they started their tour. After they were done with the tour, they’d all tend to come and stand around the fountain and take pictures so it got a little busy, but I just stood around and smiled to everyone as they passed. As I was standing near the fountain I looked up several times to gaze at the temple and on one of these occasions I actually saw a dove lift off from the south side of the spire, fly a complete circuit of the temple grounds and then land back atop the north side of the spire. My immediate thought was “no way that just happened…” and I spent the next 10 minutes trying to spot it again, but it had apparently either nested down or flew off in another direction. Either way it was pretty cool though.

After the public was ushered off the temple grounds, I got to walk around for another couple hours and just keep an eye on the place. I walked around the open house tents and spent a lot of time just looking towards the temple as the lights began to come on and bathe it in a soft white glow. It seems crazy how most of the time we go to the temple it’s always a rush to get there on time and then you have to rush home to get the kids and that’s when you even find the time to go. So it was a unique treat to be able to just stroll around the temple grounds and enjoy the spirit (and I even snapped a couple cruddy pictures with my phone). I’m sure I won’t have that chance again anytime soon (if ever), but I’m glad I got the opportunity to serve.

Today we attended the funeral of our neighbor who passed away this week.  This day was a beautiful tribute to a good man.  His life was dedicated to scouting and I could not hold back my tears as the color guard presented the flag and the casket came into the chapel.  My heart just sobbed as I watched his family follow behind.  The speakers did a wonderful job of honoring Brother Duckworth.  I was especially impressed with his children who spoke  about the things they remember best about their dad.  The whole congregation wept as his 8 year old daughter talked about her dad taking her to the daddy daughter dance and getting their picture taken.  I pray that she will never forget every second of that night.  How he felt dancing with her.  How he sounded when he laughed. How he smelled. The things they talked about.  I just think how easy it would have been for him to say they were too busy to go. But he didn’t. 

So today I learned a lesson.  I need to be more for my children.  I fill so much of my time with little things that in the end won’t matter.  I think back and I can’t remember if my house was dusty or not (by the way, it was always very clean-thanks mom). But I do remember the things I did with my sisters and my parents.  I remember bed time. I remember dinner time. I remember folding the laundry with my mom and cleaning the bathrooms with my mom.  How lucky am I to have such incredible memories and now I need to be better about using my time to make memories with Hailey and Mallory and Annie and Jack.  And sitting next to a sad Mike today I could tell he was thinking the same thing. 

So off I go to tuck in my children and bring them a drink of water "from the toilet" just like my dad always did.  (He always flushed twice!!) 

Early this morning our neighborhood was shaken with the news that our friend and neighbor, Ken Duckworth had been killed in a tragic accident on his way to work. When Emily called me at work to tell me the news I was more than a little shocked and it took a few minutes for it to sink in. Even now, several hours later, its hard to accept the reality of the situation and I can only imagine what his family is going through.

For the past couple years I’ve been the Duckworth’s home teacher, and although I haven’t always been the best at visiting every month, I’m glad I was able to stop by last Sunday and visit with Ken and his family. As always, it was a happy afternoon at their house with lots of kidding and teasing and love.

Posts like this are hard because its difficult to know exactly what to say, but our thoughts and prayers go out to the Duckworths. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but when it comes as sudden and unexpectedly as this, there seems to be a surreal and somewhat detached feeling that seems to linger a while. Ken was a kind and generous man who always seemed to be striving to make things better for those around him and he will be missed all who knew him.

A memorial fund for his family has been set up at University of Utah Credit Union and you can visit their family blog HERE to leave a note of condolence.