Baptism

  Dad's health had taken a huge nose dive in the last 24 hours.  He no longer wants to or can get out of bed.  He needs help getting to and from the bathroom.  He fell last night when trying to get from the bathroom to his bed on his own.

Haley (Liz and Joe's Daughter) was baptized today.  Dad was there.  Unshaven and looking the worst I have seen him.  He was able to sit in his walker (it has wheels and a small seat) and get around the stake center.   It was a bit of a production to get Dad from point a to b. Rob (Marybeth's husband) pushed Dad while someone else wheeled his oxygen tank.  A thoughtful member of our Stake Presidency (Pres Eppich) removed half a row of chairs from the RS room where the font was so that Dad could see the font.   For Haley's confirmation we placed her chair right next to Dad and he was able to have his hand on her head and be part of the circle.  Daniel (Marybeth's son) was next to Dad in the circle and sat on Mom's knee to fix the height problem since Dad was sitting.  I suspect it was the closest Mom has ever been to being part of a priesthood ordinance - it was kind of funny.

Haley was baptized in our stake center which is 1.5 hour away from her home so that Dad could be there.  We knew it would be too hard for Dad to travel to Kanosh but Springville is less than 10 mins from his home.  Since Jim (my husband) is in the bishopric it made it easy to arrange the baptism and he got to conduct the meeting.

We had lunch in gym at the church. Mom was telling Dad what his choices were for lunch and I suggested that Dad could just skip lunch and go straight for dessert.  He took my offer and had a cookie for lunch.  Mom and Dad stayed for a while but left early.  Mom indicated that they were leaving and made sure that someone could take her stuff to her later.  We realized that Mom would have a hard time getting Dad in the house and settled on her own so Marybeth and Rob scrambled to help - so glad that they are visiting right now.  Rob followed Mom and Dad home in his car.

I can still remember when Dad baptized me as a little girl.  I wanted to wear a dress like my friend did but Dad didn't want to struggle with a dress floating up during the baptism.  Mom put my hair in two braids and pinned them across the top of my head so they would stay put - Dad thought this was such a good idea. We practiced how he would hold my hands so I could plug my nose and how he would gently immerse me under the water.  I can remember being in front of the congregation the following day to be confirmed.  I can remember the weight of his hands on my head and the sweet smile on his face. I love that smile!

It was wonderful to share today with the family.  I suspect it will be the last time I am in a church building with him.  I had a hard time singing hearing the voices of my sisters (Elizabeth and Marybeth).  The Gospel, Ordinances, Covenants, Family - All so sacred.  Feeling very fortunate to have what is most likely one final time to share these things with my Dad.