#10 Service in the Buffalo Stake/WOW/ Network of Religious Communities/ Stake RS president/Councilor in The Stake Presidency to BuffaloPress Free.
We have had a wonderful time being “empty nesters” in Buffalo. Every Sunday we have traveled together to wards and branches in the stake. We have made new friends and had a chance to grow. I have had a chance to learn as I have worked with the Network of Religious Communities, working with so many fine members of other faiths for common goals. I have had a chance to learn about world issues and leadership with the Worldwide Organization for Women rubbing shoulders with outstanding women from all over the world and enjoying the great women on the board. Both opportunities as well as Stake Relief Society President have allowed for spiritual experiences as well as tender mercies and answers to prayers as I have had to rely on the spirit for help beyond my skills.
#9 Buffalo/Department Chair/SUNY Buffalo school of Medicine/surgery residents/
Merril has been fulfilled in his job making the SUNY Buffalo Department of Surgery place residents want to train. He has recruited new faculty and contributed to the medical community in Buffalo. With fifty three Surgery residents and about that many faculty keeps him busy. We have tried to have all of them in our home at least once each year. He loves his job and so have I!
#8 Being able to serve as a Bishop
Merril was called in 1998 as Bishop of the Heughs Canyon Ward. Despite his busy medical practice HE LOVED SERVING THE WARD. It was a great experience for all our family.
#7 PTA
I started in PTA when the kids started school in California, but I really didn't get involved until 1986 when we moved to SLC. From local legislative VP, council positions, region and eventually opportunities on the state board and Utah PTA president. The positions mean little to me now but the amazing people I worked with changed my life. Some of the best people in the state are part of the education community and it was a joy to work with them. My PTA friends are some of the best women I know!
#6 Lake Powell/friends/
Our first trip to Powell was shortly after we moved to SLC ever since then we have spent time every year at the Lake. We have enjoyed hosting friends and family there. Our lives were spared in 2001 when our van rolled on the way to Lake Powell. We have all been blessed by the prayers that sustained us after the accident, doctors who cared for us and tender mercies allowing every member of the family to heal and to go forward in their lives. Some of the best times with friends and family have been on the lake. We LOVE that place.
#5 Salt Lake City/ Canyon Cove/ Dance with Carolyn/ Pull Through/ Missions/Sons Served Missions
While we were in SLC the Boys all Graduated from Cottonwood High School and had wonderful friends. Julie, Mike, Cindy, Lisa Rowel, Miguel & Elizabeth and Rachel all lived with us for a time and made life better having them in our home. I had the joy of teaching children's creative dance for most of the years in Utah. My amazing partner Carolyn Anderson Barnett allowed me freedom to totally enjoy this part of my life.
Merril‘s practice became busy as he became a specialist in an 8 hour surgery(Colectomy and ileoanal Pull through). He loved the work though hard and operated four days a week and saw patents on the fifth day. Busy, Busy,un times!!!
#4 Iowa/ first home/
What a neat place to start our career! There is a reason they call Iowa the heartland and we loved both the state and the people. I started a dance school there and the boys and I learned to clog. The schools were good and it was so fun to be out of a 2 bedroom apt. The time just went too fast as we were recruited back to Utah after three years. In the film “Field of Dreams” someone asks, “Is this heaven’?” and the Kevin Cosner answer’s, “no it's Iowa!” For us Iowa was a Bit of heaven.
#3 California/ Brandon, Adrian, Ethan/ 7 years at UCLA
I have to admit I cried when Merril came home and told me we had matched at UCLA but it turned out to be 7 amazing years. Most of it was spent in a 2 bedroom apt in married student housing next door to the Duffin’s. Gaye & Mike, Melanie & Evan, JoAnn & Mark, Sylvia & Roger , the Nolan’s, and so many other Marvista Ward members, Alice & Jessie, Lyman and Liz, Aunt Thelma and Uncle Ernest. All shared in raising our 5 little boys. You can clean 2 rooms way faster than a 5 bedroom home. The first year I had spring fever almost every day the weather was so nice. One day driving home from Aunt Thelma’s on Sepulveda Blvd, I looked up and saw a bill board “Ski Utah” with the snow capped mountain. I started to cry. You can take the girl out of the state but you can't take the mountains out of her heart. Merril had great training staying 2 extra years. (7 total) Most of the time he was “on call” every other night. When we could be together we celebrated and the rest of the time we filled with playing and growing. We actually saved money during the residency to help with the down payment on our first home. Ethan was 6 months old when we (all 7 of us) said, “good bye” to California.
#2 Medical school / Cameron, Damian/ surgery decision
No money, cars that wouldn’t start, finishing school, struggles, going without and enjoying being together. We loved our student ward, singing in the choir (we have loved this in every ward) and friends. Merril thought marriage was about the best thing ever invented. I however was the one sitting home on the porch steps waiting for him to come home. I soon learned to make my days be about the things I wanted to do. Something every bride needs to learn I am sure it made me more interesting and it has enriched my life and opened amazing doors.
#1 Young Ambassadors/ Engagement/Tour/Friends
Merril’s senior year at BYU and my junior we met in The Young Ambassadors. Our first tour together in California we did a show where his brother Lyman and his family attended. Lyman’s oldest kids Lyman Reed and Jenny were maybe 3 & 4 and were sitting on the steps leading to the front of the stage. I had to move them as we were having a Rubber Ducky coming up out of the audience. There was something so familiar about these kids and when I found out after the show that they were Merril’s niece and nephew I went out and met his family. I barely knew Merril’s name. He was a singer and I was a dancer so we rarely practiced together. This was our last show and early the next morning we started for Provo. As was tradition on these long Sunday drives we would have a testimony meeting. I don't even remember if I bore my testimony but Merril did and I had the distinct impression that I wanted to marry someone just like him. The next bus stop I moved over by him and started to get to know this cowboy from Wyoming. Our courtship was not easy. Two pretty head strong people. The next two tours were laced with resolving conflicts, off, on, off on but by December 1972 he gave up the battle and ask me to marry him. It took me the first 20 years to appreciate what a fine man he was; I was always thinking if I could just fix this or change that mostly, I was trying to figure a way to get him to spend more time at home. I wanted the boys to be more like him. We ended up with some great artists, No doctors….. Then Merril’s brother David was taken in a tragic ranch accident and I realized that time was short and I needed to be about just loving the great man I married and not fix him. I think the last 17 years have been pretty grand.
So on the occasion of our 37th anniversary and the eve of another Fathers Day here is to you Merril. You have been a wonderful father to our 5 sons and the sweetest grandfather for our 5 grandchildren. You have been an amazing husband, standing with me and supporting every one of my lifetime goals. Thanks for the wonderful life. I found a napkin from our wedding that had a line from our song, “You and I will travel far together”……AND WE HAVE
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