Patti's Perspective: January 2023

The Christmas season started out with lots of snow. We've been praying for moisture to help with the drought we've been in. I would prefer it just snow in the mountains, but somehow the snow fell much more broadly. Its a beautiful sight!

I had a couple of elf helpers that came to my rescue to make sure I put up some decorations for the holidays. When you have grandchildren at BYU, help is never very far away. I attended some festive occasions: A Christmas party of my tennis-playing friends (six of the group are octogenarians), a luncheon for the Literary group and a ward Christmas breakfast. I cooked oodles of waffles for that occasion and it was so fun and so well organized.

Burke and Emmalynn

Karen, Mel, Kathy, Arthur and Wiebeke, Joyce, RaeAnn, Maurine
Randy, Karen, Patti M, Vince, me, Eloise, Tim, Patcee, Juana, Turf

Norma, Pat, Joan waiting for entertainment

Maxine, Mona, Marian

Fancy decorations for Ward Christmas breakfast, morning Dec 10th

Later that night, I received a call that no parent or grandparent ever wants. "Your granddaughter has been in a serious accident and they are life flighting her to the University of Utah Hospital. What a shock. With a heart heavy with concern, I arranged for my son-in-law Mike to drive me up to Salt Lake and we joined the others waiting for news. All of the BYU students who had been on the quadruple date plus her roommate were there as well as her Bishop and his wife and a few others. The health care providers were working hard trying to stabilize her so they could get her into surgery. Then we learned that she was in surgery. We were hopeful but within a few hours, we received notice that she hadn't survived. Her injuries were too serious. So many tears, so many hugs, so much caring for and from those involved. Blessings for peace and comfort were given to all who desired and I was one of those. The President of the University who had become involved didn't want the BYU students to drive home so late at night (or early in the morning), so he took them all to his house to sleep and after feeding them breakfast, sent them off. This same man, Taylor Randall, met Julie and John at the airport and loaned them his car while they were in Utah. There are so many good, kind, caring people in this world. I have such gratitude for those I've become acquainted with while on this journey since Anna's passing. The hugs, the prayers, the kind words have been so comforting. It has given me much strength and buoyed up my spirits when I've felt down. We are learning to look towards the light, the light which God and our Savior, Jesus Christ give us.

Anna, captain of her Beaverton High School lacrosse team

Anna Peterson's Senior pictures

Anna having the best date ever, skiing fast and even some fresh
powder runs, doing what she loved on December 10th

And now, Anna is with the angels, getting a head start on her missionary work, connecting with loved ones already there, and we rejoice in the knowledge that we will be with her again some day.

We were able to get together with all the young people who were on the date, along with their parent(s) as well as the members of Anna's BYU Ward in gathering just to talk about Anna and share feelings and thoughts about Anna. We were able to go to the temple with some of the parents of those involved in the date as well as her roommate, May. The young people also took the opportunity to go to the temple together on December 13th.

Provo City Temple with parents of youth involved

BYU freshman united as friends of Anna
attend the Provo City Center Temple

December 15th, I'm once again in Portland to enjoy an 80th birthday celebration with a friend (who is also my daughter's mother-in-law). I've known Jody King Olsen since we were students at the University of Utah back in the 60's.

Judy, me, and Jody

Jody cutting cake made by Bruce (serving ice cream)

Friends and family at Jody's birthday celebration

Being silly with friends and family

I was able to walk several days as it didn't rain for a bit. My son-in-law, David Olsen accompanied me. I also walked several times with Jody as we were both house guests of my daughter and her son.

View from their Forest Heights neighborhood

Me along a trail in the neighborhood

David on the trail

A couple of days before Christmas, we had a terrible storm. It was very cold, snowy, and windy. The roads were iced over so we just stayed at home. Fortunately, it warmed up enough to melt most of the snow and roads were just slushy so we gathered with John and Julie and Emily for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. Joseph had purchased a wonderful prime rib roast and JaneAnne put the rest of the dinner together (a leek and potato gratin, funeral potatoes, tossed salad with fruits and cheeses, a lovely raspberry jello salad, and Riskrem [Emily got the almond and the prize...which wasn't marzipan, but chocolate]).

Ice on windows is like having opaque glass

Our Christmas Eve dinner

Lining up for Christmas morning, youngest to oldest, a family tradition.

Berit, Leif, Delaney, Anders, David, Jody, Me

John and I were able to go to the temple on December 28th and share some time with the Papworth family (long-time friends from Salem). It was one of those miracles we experienced to know that God is in the details of our lives.

Wayne and Shauna Brown, Carol, Emily, Kathryn Lounsbury, Patti,
Ann and me. A few of the men (John, Dan and Carol's husband, Ryan[photographer]
weren't out of dressing room)

Patti, Ann, Emily, Kathryn, Dan, me and John outside temple

Shortly after Christmas, my family started arriving in preparation for Anna's memorial service on December 30th. All of my children and most of my grandchildren were able to come. Even our missionary, Ashley, who is serving in Seattle, was able to make arrangements for the day off to be with family. Nephews and nieces came from California, Utah and Washington to support our family.

We began the morning with the prayers, singing, and dedication of the grave by Rob Peterson. Anna's boy cousins from both Peterson and Maready sides were the pall bearers. They all loved Anna.

Peterson/Maready cousins as pall bearers

Beautiful flowers in "Anna's favorite colors" on her casket

Anna's best friend, Skylar, saying goodbye

Brewer Family: Kiefer Andelin, Duerk, Ashley, Sue, August Andelin
Colten, Lindsey, Karlie, Julie, Ivy

Cousins practicing for their "I Am a Child of God" number,
Hewitt and Burke leading and accompanying

The ward was so gracious in serving all the family (over 100) food, both a brunch after the graveside and a dinner after the services. The family was able to greet friends afterwards. I saw some long-time friends from both Portland and Salem. I am getting lax about picture taking, but did see Parker and Becky Fuhriman, Ed Stone, Arel Grimshaw, Patti and Ann Papworth, the Lathens and the Claussens. Bev Hansen Rosenbaum sang in the Prelude Choir, and Bethany Evans was so gracious to play her harp, both prelude and postlude.

Neil and Dianne Lathen, me, Pam and Bill Claussen

Cute grand nieces

Anna's Obituary from the Oregonian

Book illustrated by the artist, Suzi Olson

Julie and John had received from a new friend, Janet Randall, a lovely painting done by Suzi Olson.

Painting by Suzi Olson

Tamsen, Joe, Julie and Sue sharing messages

The program from Anna's Memorial Service

It truly was a spirit-filled day. The love and prayers of so many friends and loved ones has buoyed us up. We've been encouraged to turn to the light, and to turn away from that which is not light. We can make choices to bring us happiness, to follow our Savior, to do those things which will move us closer to God and to being with our loved ones again.

The last day of 2022 was spent with family doing things we all enjoy: eating, talking, singing, playing games. I can't think of a better way to close one year and begin another. I just can't believe I stayed awake to ring in 2023.