Christmas Time Of '99

Dear Friend,

This is the year I cannot come up with fancy rhyme or cheery Christmas greeting.
It is my turn to just talk and unload those inner feelings here in my heart.

My 42 year old daughter, Joan, in a few split seconds watched her world shatter and fall apart. Her devoted, caring husband, father of four, lost his life at an intersection south of my family room window. It was a beautiful, April 16th, spring day.

So it is our turn, as a family to acknowledge God's way, His plan. And 'though our vision is dim, God sees all and cares. And as we look up to him and trust, our eyes do open a little wider and we see and more fully appreciate the blessings of eternal life!

And now as we look forward toward the horizon of a new year we are learning that life is good and appreciated and that we again are counting our NUMEROUS blessings and realizing that we must savor every precious moment given unto us.

May you too, partake of all that God is offering each of us. May we all together look forward to this glorious new year with grateful hearts!

Love,
Orvetta

Merry Christmas 2 U!!

2night I must write my message
I've put if off 2 long
But Christmas always comes 2 fast
I catch my breath and it's gone!

This year has been just 2 marvelous for words!
I've seen 2 grandsons depart for missions!
Elders Nathan Nickle and David Edwards
They'll be gone for 2 years!!
2-2 different countries
Australia and Canada

I've seen 2 granddaughters get married
Elizabeth Ann Edwards and Kimberly Brush
In 2 different temples
Mt. Timpanogos and St. George

I've seen 2 great grandchildren born
They are 2 adorable little girls
Christina Kathleen Edwards and Rachel Ann Edwards

My posterity has now climbed 2 high for me 2 count in my head.

My house says, "You've loaded me 2 heavy with gifts 2 disperse."
My husband says, "We'll send checks 2 them after this.
You're getting 2 mixed up 2 know who 2 give these 2!!"
My legs say, "You'll be 2 tired 2 enjoy Christmas."
My heart says, "But I love them all 2 much 2 quit."

And Sam and I love the change 2 occasionally tend 2 year old Kaydn.

All of my 29 grandchildren mean all the world 2 me! Along with my 15 greats! And everybody!!!!!!

There are many more marvelous happenings and blessings 2 numerous 2 mention!

And Sam and I are 2 grateful for words that the 2 of us are still 2gether!

Love from the 2 of us,
Mother and Sam

Delta, Utah
2 close 2 Christmas, 1997

Together For Eternity

This page tells of many things
Grandma's treasures hanging there
29 grandchildren and her greats
Two blue stockings hung with care

So brief their moment with us
Yet we know someday we'll be
With little Matthew and JoDene
Together for eternity!

I look again - the page reveals
A happy couple all aglow
Planning for a marriage soon
To the temple they will go!

And look below 'tis Christmas time
My room is again is filled with love
From all my precious children
God sent me from above

I thank God for my family
I know we'll always be
Together through our joys and tears
Together for Eternity!

Bryson's Baptism

Could I tell you about a special gift
More special than any I know
It comes straight to you from God up above
Because He loves you so

When hands are placed upon your head
By men holding the priesthood so true
They give you this gift of the Holy Ghost
That you may know those things that are true!

He wants you to be protected
To be watched over through night and through day
He wants you to feel the right thing to do
When others would lead you astray

So heed and listen when he whispers to you
Now the words won't be spoken and real
But the promptings will come and you'll know just what to do
For it's something inside that you'll feel

Sometimes you'll be sad and lonely
Sometimes you'll not know what to do
As years move along and problems arise
But He'll be there to see you through

Now there are things you must do to keep this gift
That it will not leave and depart
Try to keep the commandments and choose the right
And listen to Him with your heart

For this is the Gift of the Holy Ghost
He's a messenger sent to you from above
And He'll always be there to guide and direct
God sends Him to you with His love!

March 2, 2002

Andy Andy

Andy, Andy on the run
Always up before the sun
Feeds the cows -
Checks the calves
Then he's stepping on the gas
So he can be on time for class.

I hear the tractor leave the yard
It's Andy Andy workin' hard
Now to the Palladium I must go
On my way to see the Pro!
Be it rain or sleet or snow!

My shaken frame is full of fears
I hide my eyes, I clasp my ears
It's not a pretty sight to see
Those twisted limbs in front of me
Oh - how much longer must this be?

Now Andy's on that man he flopped
I watch the clock - I think it's stopped
Don't think I can take much more
Now Andy's pinned him to the floor.

I'm on my way another night
Where everything will be just right
He's standing tall and so refined
Tuxedo clad with shoes all shined
For now it's Bone Voce time!

He has no time to court a girl
Although they keep him in a whirl
But I would say that he's in luck
'Cause he must gather every buck
To make those payments on that truck.

Now reverently I'm in my place
My eyes are searching for his face
Yet I know 'twill be awhile
So I'll keep faith and wear my smile
To church on time is not his style.

I know it's wrong to feel so proud
To spread my voice so clear and loud
But I want everyone to know
As much as he is on the go
He also makes the honor roll!

Yes, Andy Andy on the run
Gives this grandma lots of fun
Never gives me time to sit
More gray hairs I must admit
But I don't care -
It's all worth it!

Love,
Grandma

February 1998

Sweet Sixteen

You're sweet 16
Life's really in the pink
But it's going to pass by
As quickly as a wink

So take each day
And love every minute
And I'm sure you will
If you put the right things in it

For there's this saying
And I'm sure it's true -
When you give life your best
The best comes back to you!

Dear Ali

Roses are pink
Apples are yellow
Whoever gets you
Will be some lucky fellow.

But don't get in a hurry
You've just turned fifteen
And these are your years
To laugh and to dream!

Life holds so much
For a girl such as you
You're charming and pretty
So talented too!

You're always a lady
Wherever you are
You know how to handle
A ball or a car!!!

Your cooking's delish!
Your cheesecakes superb
You practice on brothers
Who eat what you serve.

May life give you pleasures
As you go on your way
May you stay just as sweet
As we find you today.

Love from Grandma.

October 26th, 1997



To Ali

Happy Birthday to you
Could no. 17 be true
Yes it adds up correctly
You were born in '82.

What a busy lady you are
Off to work in that car
Off to church you must go
Always keeping a 4 point 0.

Mom had a heavy surgery day
Yet hurried home your cake to bake
Homemade frosting fluffy white
'Twas a very special night.

Orvetta's thoughts: Composed 1-14-00 as I put her pictures in a scrapbook.



Dear Ali,
Roses are red violets are blue
I think you're beautiful and Chris does too
Kresdon thinks you're beautiful and Kurt does too
Brandon thinks you're beautiful and Mike does too!

Roses are red and violets are blue
I think you're smart and Jenn does too.
Roses are red and violets are blue
Marie thinks you're a brain and you study hard too.

Roses are red and violets are blue
Liz thinks you're really on the ball and you'd better be too
Roses are red - violets are blue
And Carolyn and Marci will dribble with you!

And all the above think you're lots of fun
My page is all gone so my poem is all done.

October 26, 2000
Orvetta's thoughts: On Ali's B-day card as she turned 18.

Dear Kelly

Dear Kelly,

As I looked at this card with the seagull soaring, wings spread, I thought of you -- some of your lofty dreams have taken flight and you are out there somewhere, trying your wings!

I look deeper on and the ships sailing on, remind me of the span between us, maybe it's the blueness too that catches this breath deep within me.

The waves with their mysterious depth, are telling me how life moves on, disguising the forward voyage, and reminds me of my powerlessness in trying to stop the movement and progression of earth and time.

God bless you out there and I'll wait for golden September to see you again!

May all my love reach through the distance between us and let you know once again how much you mean in my life.

Your best friend,
Grandma

June 16, 1987

Farewell Party

Leaves are falling, summer's going
Grandma's feeling blue.
We didn't get together much
Each day kept racing through.

So let's have a "Farewell Party"
To all those summer days
Come on over to my house
We'll eat and laugh and play.

Dinner at 6:30 this coming Thursday night
Fried chicken and your favorite pie
So bring you appetite.

So Ali, Kyle, and Cory come, Aubree, Ryan too
And how I wish that we could have
Heather, Nate and Andy.

This invitation goes to all -
The sisters and the brothers
And also you can bring along
Your dads and then your mothers!

But remember it's your special night
For age 13 down to 9
The table will be set for you!
While others at the bar will dine.

Then what we really need is
For them to eat and run
So we can have our cozy night
Of games and laughs and fun!!!

Love,
Grandma

August 10, 1996
Orvetta's thoughts: Invitation sent to my Delta Grandchildren for our closing summer party.

Dear Brian

Dear Brian,

As I watched you among some one hundred thirty other graduates tonight in your black cap and robe, my feelings swelled within me. What pride I felt for the grandson who was emerging from so many molding and growing years.

I don't believe anyone there could look upon their graduate and feel any more proud than you have made all of us.

Not only have you excelled scholastically, but through the music field - and other cultural areas. And most of all you are a gentleman in every respect - and you are a true representation of our gospel!

What more could a grandmother ask?

And now, as the song said, as you and your group sang to us this night, "It's time for moving on." I'm sure you will move on to the many greater achievements - as life expects of you.

Yes Brian, I feel sure that as all of us watched you with satisfied hearts mingled with some tears of joy, that someone else from up above was sharing this same brief momentous moment with us.

Thank you.

Love,
Grandmother Nickle

Delta, Utah
May 20, 1982