And life goes on

May 27, 2012

Last Thursday I witnessed a young US Marine and his wife being honored for serving our country, the United States of America. He was a fine young man in his dress blues, with his beautiful young bride at his side. The story was told that he had already served one mission in Afghanistan and would be leaving on another in the fall, before their new-born would come into this world. The Vietnam War Veterans, a local auto dealer foundation, and the Wade Family Foundation gave him some nice things including a Grand Cherokee, but the most lasting gift was the gratitude shown this young man for his service. He was about as shy as anyone I have ever known and would have liked to be just about anywhere but in that spotlight, but he stood proudly and accepted the honors bestowed. Howard Shaffer, my USS Hornet buddy, a bunch of Southern Utah citizens, the young Marine’s family and a bunch of us grizzled old veterans got all choked us and tearful as we saw good people doing good things.

We talked about the experiences we have had that brought us to this point in life. We talked about what our lives would have been if we had not taken, “. . . the path less traveled.” I have been humbled to my knees to be part of a family that started back in 1965 when Jean and I married. Most people who had any association with us – family or friends – didn’t give us very good odds at lasting as a couple, much less creating a living legacy which includes six children and their spouses, 26 grand children and who knows what the future holds. For this magnificent blessing I give my temporal and spiritual advisor, my friend, my lover, my source of strength, and eternal companion, 99.5 percent of the credit and I honor her for all she is.

We met as children barely into our twenties and have grown together over almost half a century. In my recollections, I have come to understand that she has been the most giving, selfless person on the planet and done the most incredible, bizarre things including moving so many times I have lost count (she has all our moves on a little yellow sheet). She gave birth to six children, weathered sickness, job changes, fear and panic, panic, joy, and fulfillment over the experiences of our children, worked as business manager for a number of business ventures we began, enjoyed teaching and nurturing children and adults in everything from “handy lady” classes, to professional day-care, foster children, and religious instruction and testimony building. She has created a visible bond with each member of our family through her quilting art. Each quilt she makes for a child’s birth, baptism, marriage, or other occasion is a genealogical tie that gently says, we are an eternal family.

The one pleasure she prayed for was that we could be closer to her parents and family. We never made it. Both her mother and father passed away within a month of each other in Montrose California. This year she declared that we needed to move to Southern Utah because I would feel better being a lower elevation and not having the pollutants that create breathing burdens. We moved To Toquerville and found legions of incredible people and opportunities to serve. But, wait!! What about our flock of grandchildren that live in Utah County? One more sacrifice for others (me). Her greatest joy is sitting on the floor with these youngsters and coloring, reading, quilting, teaching, and loving. Last week we went to Scott’s and enjoyed some very quality time with Skyler, Aspen, and Brighton. Diane’s family was here yesterday and will come back through tonight and we thoroughly enjoy these activities, but I want to make sure Jean has every opportunity to bless the lives of each of our grandchildren in the way that only she can provide.

My joy is in serving my God, my family, and my country. I have no idea why I have been so blessed, but I do know that it is my duty and my honor to do whatever I need to do to bless the lives of others – especially my Jean. We will reacquaint ourselves with her brothers and their families and do whatever it takes to ensure that Jean can provide her spiritual and temporal love and guidance to all those who need her wisdom and love through our Savior Jesus Christ.

May you all take advantage of every minute to share your love of life and God with others

Duane Jacobs, Grandpa, Popsa, Uncle,brother, cousin, and friend