A hard and special week for Dennis

The night of Father's Day, Den's only brother 
died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep. 
Just like that, he quietly slipped into the next life.

Den flew to Logan, Utah to attend the funeral of his brother 
and give the eulogy. 

He called me and gave his talk over the phone. As he was 
reminiscing over his childhood, he cried and I cried. 

Days gone by. Days that seemed ordinary at the time. 
But they weren't ordinary. None of our lives are. 
They just may seem like it at the time.

The 5 siblings: Debbie, Sheree, Pam, Dennis, Reed.



Debbie, their Dad, Reed, and Den
(I think Den looks like his girls in this picture)




Den and Reed making pumpkin pictures and cutting them out.

 










Den's Grandma who lived to be 98. 
I even got to meet her in 1998 when Den and I were dating.



Finally a picture of Den's angel mother. He's always adored her. 
Reed is next to his Mom and Den is on that high rock.


And isn't this one a gem. 
Reed and Noelle on their wedding day in 1969. 
Den, the best man. 
I wish I could have been there but I was in 8th grade at the time. 




 One of my favorites. This is Dennis. He looks about 3, 
so this was probably 1952. 
You can sure tell little Denny is Grant's Grandpa. 
I know, it doesn't make sense. 

Last month I listened to a a speaker at church who was familiar 
with death having buried 2 of his children. He ended his talk with, 
"Life is short. We are all going home soon." 
When I can keep that perspective, I live my days a bit differently.

11 comments:

Rebecca said...

Please give Dennis my condolences on the passing of his brother. I enjoyed looking at those old pictures. Such fun. The one of the boys at the table with their pants rolled up takes me back. I am glad he has such grand memories of his brother!

Grandma Honey said...

Rebecca…that table they are sitting at in that picture is actually their baby sister's "high chair" Remember those old wrap around tables and the baby fit right in the middle of it?

Karen Mortensen said...

What a nice post. So sorry for Den's loss.

grandmapeg said...

Loved seeing these pictures of Dennis from his childhood. How much older is Dennis than you?

Grandma Honey said...

a bit more than 5 years

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing these. Yes, life IS SHORT. We need to remember that. I keep thinking it will go on and on. Sympathies to Den.
In that last pic, Dennis looks like he's near a roller coaster. Is that Santa Monica beach?
darlene

Grandma Honey said...

I just know it's a beach that is no longer there. I didn't know they could even do that! Next time I see Den I'll ask him exactly where it was.

Dennis said...

That roller coaster was the Cyclone Racer at The Pike in Long Beach. The original sandy beach has been covered by landfill extending the city at least another half mile further out into the ocean.

-Den

Susan Anderson said...

So hard to lose a brother, and please give him my condolences.

The photos are marvelous. Real treasures.

=)

Scrapally said...

Great pictures and memories. So sorry for the loss of his brother. Thankfully we know about "home" and yes, we will all be going there. Great perspective.

Lisa said...

Your summary summed up exactly what I was thinking as I read this post. The pictures are so wonderful & captures a lot of sweet memories! Love you guys.

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