Our dad ... as observed by a stranger

Tonight I was with mom and dad as we walked down University Avenue to go see the pictures from our family photo shoot at Justin Hackworth's studio. Wednesdays are my night to eat dinner with them so I told dad we should go to the Black Sheep after we reviewed the photos. Black Sheep is a very delicious, new, fancy restaurant downtown that dad loves.

As we met with Justin, mom started getting a bit agitated and was acting up so I thought we had better go somewhere a little less busy, a little less fancy and that would take less time. I suggested that we go to Gandolfos, the little underground sandwich shop on our block. He agreed. As we walked in it seemed that the man greeted dad by name but I didn't hear clearly, so I wasn't sure. We ordered our food, got our drinks and sat down.

When our sandwiches were ready I jumped up to grab them and the man paused as he handed them to me and asked if those were my parents sitting over there. I said that they were and he said, "I have to tell you this. You parents come in here every week and a couple of weeks ago I cried for about 30 minutes after observing them interact. Your dad was so so kind and so patient with your mom. I've never seen anything like it. I don't even know them but I know he is a really good man. I just thought you should know that." My eyes were watering and I nodded because I do know that but to have a complete stranger recognize that and be so touched really got me.

I didn't mention it to dad and he didn't notice that I had started to get teary. After awhile, as we were eating, dad told me he liked coming in to Gandolfos when that guy was there because he really loaded up his Reuben sandwich.

Four years ago a friend invited me to make a presentation at a retreat on Science and Religion for science students at King's College London. I followed the approach the manual Teach my Gospel. I introduced the subject by saying that Sir Isaac Newton was accused of heresy because he foreshadowed Mormonism. He rejected the Nicene Creed because he believed the Godhead consisted of three separate personages as was taught by Christ. He believed there was an apostasy so he predicted a restoration of the Church as it was during Christ’s ministry.

When the presentation was open to question the first question was,
       
        “How can you believe this stuff?

I answered,
   
        “Joseph Smith left an extensive body of work. I have spent a large         fraction of my adult life studying, applying and validating everything         Joseph Smith taught. The validations were spiritual and intellectual.         Thus the foundation of my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has         strengthened over the years.”

I thought of this experience while going through the arduous task to getting my wife, Jewel, ready for a photo shoot involving our entire family––children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their spouses, about 60 people. I was overwhelmed when I realized the role Jewel had played in all of these lives. She is a perfect example of a person who received “light” from God. “Light” from God is testimony. All truth is “light” from God.

The scriptures explain how to receive and validated truth.

D&C 50:24
   
    24 That which is of God is alight; and he that breceiveth clight, and     dcontinueth in God, receiveth more elight; and that light groweth brighter and     brighter until the perfect day.



D&C 52:12-19

12 And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to asift him as chaff.
 13 And behold, he that is afaithful shall be made ruler over many things.
 14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth adeceiving the nations—
 15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is acontrite, the same is baccepted of me if he obey mine cordinances.
 16 He that aspeaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and bedifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
 17 And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made astrong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and bwisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
 18 And again, he that is overcome and abringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
 19 Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall aknow the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
My interpretation. If you receive truth and follow it you will learn exponentially until you understand everything in the past, in the present and in the future. You will be a seer. You will know truth if you are faithful, contrite, humble, edified and if following this truth is fruitful.

These scriptures define Jewel.

Jewel has Alzheimer's disease. She was diagnosed over six years ago just after we moved into The Provo 4th Ward. She had symptoms at least two years before that.

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. It is caused by abnormal structures called plaques and tangles that disrupt communication between neurons and eventually destroy them. Alzheimer’s disease is a terminal because brain function is eventually destroyed. Other forms of dementia  are treatable. The conventional wisdom is that dementia is a natural result of aging. This is not true. Alzheimer researchers at Washington University St. Louis found the all cognitive loses are due to a medical condition––stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, heart disease, diabetes, playing football, boxing,et. Some people has undiminished cognitive skills even if they live over 100 years. The chance of having Alzheimer’s Disease increases with age. If you and your spouse live to be 80 the chances are one of you will have Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most insidious form of dementia because it is so common and the chances of curing it are slim and none. I am Jewel’s principal caregiver. My goal is to find ways to help her enjoy the rest of her life. I believe this is the most important job I have ever had. Jewel deserves the best because she has given so much. If anyone is qualified for the Celestial Kingdom she is.

Jewel was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah when Pleasant Grove was a small farming town. She went to BYU. We were married just before her first job teaching 4th grade at Westmore Elementary in Orem. I fell in love with Jewel because she was beautiful and fun to be around. I soon learned that the Lord had led me to an eternal partner with a spiritual depth that would enrich my life. She enriched the life of everyone she touched—our children, grandchildren, her students, the church members, the missionaries in the MTC, the temple patrons and workers in the Provo, Mt.Timpanogos, Washington D.C., Via Hermosa, Mexico and the London Temples. She is a human dynamo whose primary function in life is to take care of other people. She followed the commandments and applied every bit of “light” she gained from her home, from her extensive reading, from church, and from formal education. As a result she grew in her understanding and her effectiveness. She is the mother of nine children. She nurtured them and prepared them to follow in her footsteps. Generally they have exceeded our expectations. Since I am an only child I was fertile ground for her magic. She taught me how to be a proper father for a big family. She helped us through difficult times and taught me how to be a leader.

During her first year of teaching she would often be up at night worrying about her students. One such night I asked, “What is wrong?” She said, “Johnny is going to die.” It turned out that Johnny was sick but he didn’t die. She also had a girl in the class with a severe mental handicap. She taught every student in the class to empathize with the little girl and help her with her work and protect from verbal abuse from the other students and even some teachers at recess and during lunch. Jim Baird was also a first year teacher. He had another 4th grade. They collaborated. He ended his career as a professor of education at BYU. His wife told me a few years ago that he said Jewel taught him everything he knows about teaching.

In graduate school we were in a large student ward. She was the chorister for Junior Sunday School. In those days primary was during the week. The Junior Sunday School was huge––50-60 kids. This particular Sunday the Junior Primary leadership was absent. Jewel was all alone. She had to hold the children’s attention for the better part of an hour. She mesmerized the children. They listened to talks, sang, danced and marked around all the time focused on Jewel as if she were the Pied Piper. The Bishopric happened to be there that day. So was I. One of the counselors turned to me and said, “Does she do that to you?” I said, “She sure does.” The next week they released other leaders and called Jewel to be the Junior Sunday School president. It didn’t surprise me that the Bishop was later called to be a General Authority.

Jewel’s gifts were evident. She served in ward and stake leadership roles wherever we lived.

When the family was under stress she helped out. Our second daughter and our oldest son wanted to serve missions at the same time. She went back to school to help out. She enriched many more lives in the school system. She was a master at storytelling and read to the students when she was in the library.

She retired from teaching because she wanted to serve in the Temple. Although I claimed I was to busy she persuaded me to be a veil worker. Soon she was telling me I would look good in a white coat. I became an ordinance worker. She led me into one of the great phases of my life. If you want to receive “light” the Temple is the place to be. The Temple is the conduit of “light” from God.  If you are an ordinance worker the words of the ordinances are burned into your mind. You carry the essence of the Gospel with you always.

One day Jewel answered the phone. It was President Schultz, first counselor in the Washington DC Temple presidency. He asked if we would serve as ordinance workers in the Washington DC Temple.

She said, “Yes, of course.”

He said, “Don’t you think you should check with your husband?”

Her answer, “I’m sure he will agree.”

I arranged a leave of absence from my job and hit the road to Washington DC. It was another opportunity to use the “light “ we had and to grow.

I retired shortly after we returned home

Soon Jewel said to me, |”We need to go on a real mission.”

We put in our papers and soon we were off to Mexico on a Temple Mission. We served for six months in a small temple in the city of Via Hermosa. Then we were transferred to the London Temple. We spent 18 months serving in the London Temple. Then we returned home and Jewel was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The point of this story is that Jewel used her considerable social, spiritual and intellectual skills to always put herself, her husband, her children and others she taught and led in a position to receive “light” and to follow that “light” and grow exponentially. There are two aspects of exponentially growth––individual growth and the growth of number of people influenced by the individual. What are the fruits of Jewel’s journey? She didn't write essays or give intellectual talks. She just followed the “light” and became a remarkable person filled with love and understanding. In addition she helped others become remarkable too. I wish I could have conveyed this understanding to the King’s College students.

This example is the foundation of my testimony. It fits the pattern for receiving and validating truth. The results are sweet fruit. This is an ever strengthening validation of the Gospel––God lives, His Son Jesus Christ died to atone for our sins. Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism and sanctification by the Holy Ghost qualify us for His Kingdom. His true Church has been restored in these last days.

Jewel and I are on another stage of our journey. I can’t tell what she is truly feeling. She says she is happy. She says she loves me. She is still kind and gracious. She often struggles to express herself. She sometimes does outrageous things, but sometimes she is still Jewel. It is another growth experience for me. Jewel wears a mother’s ring on her ring finger. It has ten birth stones—one for each child and one for me. Ask me why she doesn’t wear her engagement ring.

I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sunday

I'm waiting for Milo to wake up so I can go to church. There are books and toys and clothes on my bed and no meat in the oven. When I think about Sundays growing up, I think about mom in her slip, browning the roast before church. I think of sitting in the pew waiting for Crystal Bell to get up and bear her testimony and hoping mom will play with my hair. I think of racing to change my clothes when we finally get home and hoping mom won't make me do the thickening for the gravy because I always messed it up.

Usually I got assigned to peel the potatoes and Katy too. Mom made sure at every meal we had meat, two vegetables, a salad, fruit, maybe a jello, bread or potatoes. And then dessert. Mom always made a dessert on Sundays. Sometimes that chocolate cake with the chocolate chips in it and nuts on top. Sometimes the better than you know what cake with the pudding and walnut crust. The pears and raspberries, the sherbet mixed with bananas and berries too, the tapioca with whip cream on top, the cookies and ice cream.

I never make dessert like that.
I never make roasts.
I never make gravy.
I never brown the meat in my slip.

In fact, I don't wear slips. Mom would be so disappointed.

Jake got married on Friday and some of us were standing outside the temple waiting for the he and Liz to come out. I told Karen I liked her outfit and she said, well yours is inappropriate.
What?
It's inappropriate for the temple, young lady. You should be wearing nylons.
Sandy said, that's right. We're both bad.
She and I were wearing sandals, our toes poking out.
Well, I said, Mom's not here to get mad at me.
I am, Karen said. I'm doing it for her.

Mom came to the wedding reception late with Sam and she looked beautiful. Dad went right to her and the two of them held hands. She was smiling and she was wearing a short dress that showed her tiny waist, and she danced with Dan and asked me, Where do you think you're going? when I walked by. I'm looking for my little boy, Asher, I said.  She smiled and said, you're a good mom.

I wonder if I am a good mom.

Milo is starting to fuss and I have no idea what we're going to have for lunch or dinner or anything else today. Maybe one day I'll get it together like Mom always did. Or maybe not. But at least I know how it's supposed to be done.

Nuerology Clinic_2nd  visit

Interview

The second visit stated out the same. Dr. Zamrini gave approximately the same test.

What month is it?

Who is the president?

What floor are we on?

I am going to give you three items. Try to remember them. I will ask you to give them to me in a few minutes. The item are: A Christmas tree, a white dog, a rock.

Lab tests

Then Dr Zambrini introduced us to Dr. Katzman, and his assistant who ran the comprehensive test. Then Jewel disappeared with the assistant and they told me I had three hours to kill. I went for a drive. I inspected the remodeled capital building and watched TV.

Jewel appeared three hours later as promised. Then she was sent off to have a MRI. Before we left Dr. Zambrini called us into his office.

He said, “Dr.Katzman’s preliminary diagnosis is mild dementia, pre Alzheimer’s. I am not sure I agree. We will consider the data and discuss it on your next visit. We would like you to come back in six months and repeat the tests to verify the results and look for changes. Before you leave I want you to visit with Mrs. ----- our social worker. She will give you useful information.” Then he left the room and we sat there looking at each other––dumfounded.

Before we could recover Mrs. Olsen, the social worker, entered the room.

Social Worker

Hello. I’m Jane Olsen. I have some literature that will be useful to you. It lists several resources available to you.

Assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s patients. 

There is a driver testing center in Sugarhouse.

There are several support groups that meet regularly.

Agencies that might be helpful.

You folks are from Utah County aren’t you? There is a good support group that meets at the James Towne Assisted Living Facility in Provo.

Nice to meet you. Good luck.

Jewel
On the way home

Oh, Larry I am so sorry. It is going to be hell for you. It was so hard on my mother. My father was soon just like her.

Larry

We don’t know the doctors are right. But whatever it is we will deal with it. Your mother had dementia at a younger age. I am sure you father’s dementia was not Alzheimer’s. I think it was related to his heart problems. He was OK in the mornings and had problems in the evenings when he was tired.

Dr. Hathaway thinks Cerefolin will contain your memory problem.

We drove home wondering about our next visit in six months.

Oh, we went to a good restaurant first.

Zamrini’s Assessment:

Given the information I have. I believe she meets Petersen criteria for amnestic mild cognitive impairment which, at times, is a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease, She will need to be followed to determine how she does over time. She also has mild hypothyroidism and this will need to be reevaluated by her primary care physician.

About Jewel

The Proverbs Chapter 31 Verses 10-31

 10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

 Neurological Clinic

Under any circumstance returned missionaries have adjustments to make. When Jewel and I returned from London we were no exception––new home, more grown up grandchildren, new ward, speaking obligation at the University of Colorado, consulting at Oklahoma University, new church jobs, etc. The biggest adjustment was that we had changed.

Jewel’s memory problems were more pronounced. My diabetes was controlled. We went to our Doctor, Bruce Hathaway. Dr. Hathaway is an internist specializing in infectious deceases. He studies prescription drugs and all other medications that are in the medical literature. He loaded us down with pills. We spend a fortune on pills. His two favorites are Cerefolin and Deplin. He claimed they protected our hearts, stopped or slowed memory loss and made you more energetic. He said that he believed that if you start taking Cerefolin early enough you can ward off Alzheimer’s Disease. He thought he had prevented Alzheimer’s Disease in this mother this way. You can google Cerefolin and see what clinical tests say.

After some subtle prodding from several sources I made an appointment with the Neurological Clinic at the University of Utah.  It is a 45 minute drive from Provo. The Clinic is located southeast of the main campus, next to the Research Park. Several diagnostic imaging facilities are in the same building. The receptionist gave us the requisite papers to fill out etc. After filling out the papers we waited about an hour reading magazines and watching TV. Finally we were invited  back to a treatment room after they checked Jewel’s blood pressure etc. Soon Dr. Zambrini appeared.
Dr. Zambrini is short, dark complexioned guy from Lebanon.

Hello, I’m Doctor Zambrini.

We are Jewel and Larry Knight.

What is the problem?
Jewel seems to have some memory problems. Are children are concerned  and suggested we consult someone who specializes in Alzheimer’s Disease.  I looked you up on the internet.

Let me ask Jewel a few questions?

Who is the president?  ....I don’t remember.

What floor are we on? ...The third (We were on the first floor. Jewel was nervous.)

I am going to mention three objects. Listen carefully and try to remember them. I will ask you about them later––a white bird, a Christmas tree and a black rock.

Then he went through a number of exercises that required Jewel to follow complicated directions. She started to focus and for about half an hour she performed every task he gave her. She performed better than I could have. She was amazing. Periodically He would stop and ask her to name the three objects he told her to memorize. She could remember one or two and at first and then none. It was clear that she failed the memory portion of his test, but he was clearly impressed with her performance on the cognitive portion.

Jewel has some memory problems but I don’t think she has Alzheimer’s Disease. We will schedule a CAT scan and an extensive test and evaluation by Dr. Jones and his assistant. The test will take about three hours.

OK

We met with the lady who scheduled the tests. Then we found a good restaurant, had lunch and drove home

Lessons from Jewel

I have three strikes against me. I am an only child, I missed kindergarten and I didn’t earn an Eagle Badge. This made me self-centered, selfish, and insecure. I didn’t have leadership skills or camping, hunting and fishing skills. I wasn’t prepared.

My father died when I was a baby so I was raised by a single mother. When I was six I moved to Provo and lived in a small house on fifth north and about 4th east with my mother, my grandmother Madson, my aunt Amelia who was in the 7th grade, my uncle Orlin who was in the 9th grade and my uncle Park who was a Senior in High School. My mother had to work and go to school, my grandmother let me do what ever I wanted as long I didn’t do any housework. She told I would break the dishes. I think she just thought I was cute. So I was self-centered and selfish.

When I was five years old my mother decided that she wanted to finish her bachelors degree. She had only a two-year teaching credential from Idaho State and some extra classes from Idaho State and summer school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. My mother discovered that she had enough credits to get her degree if she spent two semesters full time at a University. She decided to go to Brigham Young University and leave me with her mother on the Ranch in Elkhorn, Idaho for the year. I have no idea why she picked BYU. BYU was a small—about 2,000 students—liberal arts college that emphasized teacher training. Maybe she thought it would be easier.

To get to the ranch from Malad, Idaho you drive west onthe Elkhorn road through St. Johns past the LDS Chapel and turn right onto Madsen Lane when you see the red brick one room schoolhouse. My mother taught her brothers and sisters in that school during her first year out of school. She said it was “hell.” The ranch is about one mile from the school on a dirt road. The road continues on a couple miles until it reaches the foot of the mountains. The Madson ranch is the only ranch on Madsen Lane. I don’t know why there is a discrepancy in the spelling. All I know is may great grandfather spelled his name Madsen. I don’t know if their was a falling out in the family or if they the “o” made it more American.

The Madsens were Danish and originally settled Salem when the got to Utah. My grandfather and four of his brothers ended up in southern Idaho or Northern Utah. They worked as sheepherders and freighted wheat to the railhead at Corinne, Utah near Brigham City. They took honey and other goods back to Idaho and sold them to the settlers. This is how my grandfather got hooked up with a pretty little Welch lady, Ann Amelia Clark. They had 11 children—Earl, Hattie, Elva, James, Jack, Orville, Rex, Grant, Parke, Orlin and Amelia Ann. Earl was killed in 1928 in a farm accident and my grandfather died of a heart attack in 1930 when he was 55 years old. When I came to live at the ranch in 1940 I was five years old and very excited to be living with my aunt and uncles. Amelia Ann was 11, Orlin was 13, Parke was 15 and in high school. Grant was 18 and we saw him quite often. James and Jack ran the farm and had since grandfather’s death. James was the oldest son. He was 18 at the time of Grandfather’s death. He gave up college to take over the ranch. He had just married Idonna Nuttal from Downey when I came to stay at the ranch. So he had a new wife and the responsibility to take care of her, his mother and three teen age siblings and me. He immediately started remodeling the house and by putting in indoor plumbing. That first year he and Idonna lived in a rented house in St. Johns. 

The first thing I remember about the ranch was how excited I was when James drove up with his new car and his new bride. It was a brand new 1940 Chevrolet deluxe. I guess I could read a little bit by then because I remember how impressed I was with the word deluxe. James was a quiet man. He didn’t say much. When he did speak it was to tell you what to do or correct you. I was in awe and intimidated by James.
                                           
I enjoyed the interaction of my aunt and uncles although I was mostly an observer. I was kind of young. The Madsons are not very talkative, but they did enjoy teasing me. Orlin convinced me that eating the crust of the bread would put hair on my chest. I ate a lot of homemade bread not entirely because it tasted so good. I do have quite a bit of hair on my chest. Shortly after seeing James’ new car we traveled to Malad to buy our winter supply of food. The store was across the street from Malad High School, just up the hill from the Malad Mill where the farmers bring their wheat each fall. It looks just like the Lehi Roller Mills. Grandma bought everything in the store. She bought by the case, and by the gunnysack. It had to last all winter. We would be snowed in much of the winter. I was delighted when the happy grocer gave me a candy bar after we settled up and loaded the car.

The next adventure was going to school. There wasn’t a question about it. The first day of school I got ready and started down the road with Amelia Ann and Orlin. I was really excited as we walked the mile to school. When we got to school Miss Jones, the young lady who was the teacher greeted us. She was pleasant and seemed interested in me. I told her I was going to stay with my grandmother for the year.

Miss Jones asked, “What grade are you in?”

I said, “First grade.”

Miss Jones, “How old are you?”

Me, “Five.”

Miss Jones, “You have to be six years old to take first grade.”

Amelia, “He is smart. He will do fine in first grade.”

Miss Jones, “I’m sorry, but I cannot allow you to attend school until next year. You will have to go back home and not return.”

So I turned around and walked home all by myself. I guess the teacher thought that eight grades were enough to teach in one room. It didn’t bother her that my grandmother was on the school board. That is why I missed kindergarten. When I started first grade the next year in Provo I was way behind. The first thing they asked me to do was write the alphabet. I made it to “e”. Immediately I realized that I was at the bottom of the class. I made me insecure and shy. I felt like I had to prove I was as good as anyone else.

I joined a Cub Scout Pack when I was 8. It was sponsored by the Community Church located at 2nd North and University Avenue in Provo. Our den mother was Mrs. Canfield who lived at about 250 North on 1st East. Her son Alan was one of my best friends. I completed the cub scout program with flying colors. In March 1947 I turned12 and became a Boy Scout. I became a first class scout in the minimum time. Thus I was encouraged attend a jamboree honoring the pioneers on the hundredth anniversary of their entrance into the Salt Lake Valley. I was the only scout from our ward who went. No leaders went. The main camp was at Camp Williams. I had no friends. No leaders took notice of me. I had nothing to do and it was hot. I felt like I was trapped at the end of the earth with a view of civilization across the ravine. I could see all of the traffic on highway 91 going between Utah County and Salt Lake County. I was miserable. Finally at the end of the week we went to Salt Lake City and attended the dedication of the This is The Place Monument at the mouth of Immigration Canyon. That was kind of cool. Then we marched in the Days of 47’ parade through downtown Salt Lake City. That day wasn’t to bad. That was the end scouting for me. This meant I missed the chance stick it out through adversity and complete a project. I didn’t learn the skills––camping, hunting and fishing, I didn’t learn leadership, or have chance to experience a variety of exciting vocations and hobbies by interacting with helpful adults.

Then I married Jewel.  Jewel saved my life.

She tricked me into having so many babies that I could no longer be self-centered and selfish.

With so many mouths to feed I got over being insecure and shy in order to make enough money to support our family.

She set me straight about scouting too. In her family all the boys got their Eagle including her father. New rules eliminated that possibility for me. My boys all got their Eagle one way or the other.

Through my church work I got involved with Scouting. I learned that scouting was an important resource for preparing a young man to deal with the adult world.

Jewel and Me

Jewel showed signs of memory loss in 2003.

    “What is your little boy’s name?”

    “We call him Aaron.”

    “That’s a cute name.”

    “How many children do you have?”

    “Three.”

    “How old is your little boy?”

    “Five.”

    “He is a cute five year old. What is his name?”

 Jewel started asking the same question repeatedly in the same conversation.
She broke down in the middle of teaching the gospel doctrine class in the American Fork 34th ward. She stopped talking and sobbed, “I can’t do this. I’m sorry.” She had to do a lot of soul searching when the bishop called her to teach the class. She was taught to never refuse a calling. She was terrified but she taught the class anyway and did a good job until the stress got to her. She couldn’t remember what to say under the stress. .

Even before Jewel was called to teach the gospel doctrine class a ‘still small voice” came to me.

    “You need to put your papers in and go on a real mission.”

We had recently served an unreal mission to the Washington D.C. Temple. I promptly submitted the papers because the ‘still small voice’ sound exactly like Jewel.

We were called to the Via Hermosa Temple in southern Mexico. We studied Spanish and learned the temple ordinance in Spanish. I studied harder but Jewel spoke the language better than me. However we never did understand Spanish in Via Hermosa. They talked to fast. We got along OK with Spanglish.

After six months they sent us to England to work in the London Temple. We did every job in the London Temple except sealing. Jewel was having trouble with her memory. When we ran the baptistry I helped with the records. When we were the shift leaders we ran the Temple. We made sure everybody was assigned to the right place at the right time. I helped Jewel remember who was where and when they needed to be somewhere else. It worked fine. Jewel learned all the ordinances and was admired and loved by everyone.

When we got home partly at the suggestion of our kids we went to the neurological clinic at the U of U. They diagnosed Jewel with pre alzheimer’s mild dementia. Dr. Hathaway prescribed some medication with some suggestions from Dr. Zamrini.


Jewel’s Pills:

• Cerefolin NAC 2
• Deplin
• Diovan
• Aricept
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Alprazolam
• L-thyroxxine

Jewel Update

I am going to try to keep up writing on this blog. I will send stuff that I have been accumulating for a memoir -- random stuff. I will also keep you up to date on Jewel. In that respect I talked with the President Sabins about respite stay for Jewel at Bel Aire Assisted Living in American Fork. They have an Alzheimer's unit. He said they would be happy to have Jewel as long as they had a bed for her. He said they two beds right now. He asked that we give the a few weeks of notice. I talked with a lady before reaching Steve Sabins. She said they define respite as two weeks or less. The charge is $150 a day. You probably all know that Jewel did the 5 K Aspen Senior Center race. She won in her age class. Amy cut and colored her hair. She is beautiful.