Good-bye, Friend

When I first started writing this blog, I never imagined that I would even want to write about someone who has died, but now I can't imagine not writing about this great man. Guy moved in down the street maybe 27 years ago. He raised his entire family here and was an integral part of our neighborhood family. His boys were near David's age and were avid scouters, so we were always intricately connected with our family. 

Guy was assigned to be our home teacher and for years, he served faithfully in that calling. I called on Guy many times in the middle of the night to give someone a blessing, a duty that he cheerfully responded to. Guy is a faithful loving man who was friends with everyone. He was the guy you called whenever you needed a heavy lift, like the time someone slid down our driveway and got their car stuck under our truck parked at the bottom. Janene called him and he picked up the back of the car and moved it out of the way. Or the time he lifted our spirits with comfort after David died.Someone described him as a teddy bear at the funeral, and I would have used the same words. There never was a softer, gentler man in my life.

I was privileged to work with Guy in church callings and some with our business connections. There was never a more honorable man to work with. I will never forget this good and righteous man who made such an impact in my life. I look forward to the time when I will see him again. Love you, Man.

Elsie Kate - Child Actress

So tonight, we got to see the rest of the story. Our granddaughter, Elsie, had a starring role in The Candy Bomber, just like Sam. It was like deja vu all over again as the curtain pulled back and there was a different grandchild singing and dancing her way to stardom.

Elsie had the role of the American ambassador  with plenty of singing. I think it's funny that in all the pictures I have of her, everyone in the cast has their eyes on her, as if to say "Wow, that girl can sing!" Wait a minute, didn't I say something like that about Sam?

I found myself wishing that I had had my new camera last year when she played the part of a French feather duster in a different play. She really was incredible in that play, but my pictures don't do her justice.

 Elsie even got the chance this time to sing a solo and be in the spotlight. She played some other parts in the play, but I was not strategically located to get her best side (I did get her backside). It's a little strange watching the same play twice, but with different kids. Each one brings their own personality to the part, but they both shone brightly

 Of course, the family privileges allowed us backstage (well, it was really frontstage, to be honest) with this budding actress. This is the third play in which she has played a major role. For someone who was scared to even talk to his teacher, I just stand in awe of what these kids, and especially Elsie have been able to do. BRAVISSIMA CHICA!

Sam Landon - Child Actor

Tonight we went to our grandson's play. It also happens to be our granddaughter's play, but that is a story for a different night - tomorrow night, in fact. Sam seemed to star in this play about the Candy Bomber, Lt. Gail Halverson. There was even an introduction by Brother Halverson at the start of the play

Imagine my surprise as the curtain rolled back and there was my boy Sam front and center. The next thing I knew he was singing away like he had been acting all his life.

A little bit later and he was back on stage again. Janene commented " Sam looks good in a uniform" .

A little bit later and Sam was doing a cute little song and dance number in a polio hospital blowing bubble gum bubbles a seemingly having a good time. Man! This guy can sing! After all this time, he has definitely been holding his light unter (it was based in Berlin, after all) a bushel. Everywhere we turned, there was Sam playing another part. He was the star of the show (at least in our eyes)

 One of the privileges of being family is that you get to go behind the scenes and meet the actor. Move over Brad Pitt, here comes the next leading man in film and on the stage. BRAVISSIMO!!