Ghost of Halloween Past

Happy Halloween everyone! I had to dress up for work....so my co-worker Meghan and I decided to be "Dead People". Little did I know, we would turn out like this:

Our other co-worker, Ashley, was a pirate, so we started telling people that we had crossed her the wrong way.

Don't ask me why our heads are abnormally huge compared to Ashley's. Hmmm. Well not only did I go throughout the whole day like that, but I also went to my internship for four hours. I almost went the whole time without having to check any kids in, but then in the last 15 minutes, a police officer brought one in. So I had to check her in like that. Sheesh. Embarrassing.

Funeral

Charlie's "Memorial Service" was yesterday in Boise. I had to do a lot of re-arranging, but I was able to make it. Devin and I left late Wednesday night, hitching a ride with my Uncle Lynn, who lives in Orem. Lynn was in charge of the life-sketch, so as we drove, we spewed out memory after memory of Charlie, quirks, habits, goals, mottos, etc. I think Devin felt a little bit left out since he had only met Charlie twice, but he learned a alot about him. We got to Boise around 3 am. We were up by 7 the next morning, even though the funeral was not till 11, thanks to my sister Jennifer. She had no problem getting us on up and out the door.

The actual service was held at the funeral home, which was not nearly big enough for all the people that were there. I didn't doubt that Charlie had influenced many people's lives, but I was surprised by all the support there. The service was really nice. It was not like any funeral I have been to, since the LDS aspect was completely missing, but it was still so nice and it really reflected who Charlie was as an individual. My sister played "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton (one of Charlie's favorite songs) on the piano and that was a highlight, along with the movie montage of pictures and video clips that my cousin Che' had put together of Charlie's life. I was pretty well composed up until that point, but watching that video just touched me. Two other people spoke besides my Uncle Lynn, one was one of Charlie's biker buddies, and the other was the former Idaho State Governor (currently serving as Lieutenant Governor) Jim Risch. Two completely different spectrums, but both spoke adaqueatly of Charlie's massive influence. Both mentioned that Charlie had a nickname in the Legislature, the "BTO" or "Big Time Operator" because everyone, from pages on up to the governor commonly sought Charlie's advice and counsel. It was interesting to hear different aspects of Charlie's life that I knew little about. I just knew him as my uncle, but he was so much to many people.

The other great thing was that my mom and all her siblings were together for the first time in 13 years. It is pretty sad that it takes something as tragic as this to bring a family together, but its true.

Craig, Steve, David, Linda, Sue (holding Charlie's picture with his beloved dog, Rags), my mom Lisa, Lynn in back, MariAnn

Ta Ta For Now

Yesterday, My Uncle Charlie passed away instantly after a massive heart attack. He was 54 years old. I am really sad about his death because he was a great person and a huge influence on my life. Charlie did not have any children of his own, but being the oldest sibling of my mom's, he took on the role of the leader of the family. Charlie thought of each of his nieces and nephews as his own children and pushed us to become the best people that we could. He stressed education and even started up the "Good Grade Club" for us. In the beginning, we would send in our grades, then he would in turn send us an item of our choice with his logo on it. As I entered college, he just started cutting us a check, with the amount of money depending on our GPA. Here's the last note he sent me with my "Good Grade Club" money:

good job. It was good to see you during Xmas. when do you graduate? . My calculations concludes that the good grad club needs to award you a checkfor $139.60. 34.90 X 4 =139.60.please send me you address and Rags and I will send you your award. Goodwork , good luck and I am proud of you.

Uncle Charlie was a Harley rider, through and through. Two summers ago, the entire family took a trip out to see my Grandma on her mission and Charlie insisted upon riding his Harley the whole way.

Charlie was always "Santa" during our Christmas celebration at Grandma's each year. He took his place next to the tree and would call out names of all the presents and then the "elves", the younger kids, would deliver the gift to the correct person. It has always been this way for as long as I can remember.

Charlie has worked as a lobbyist in the Idaho State Legislature for Union Pacific Railroad for many many years. As a youngster, I remember the whole family going for a train ride with Uncle Charlie. To this day, that is the only time I have ever ridden a train. It was always expected that we would be receiving a Union Pacific item of some sort on every occasion that we saw him, including Calendars, notepads, Trolls (remember those things?), etc. Charlie was proud of what he did and was noted for his accomplishements in the state of Idaho for a long time. He had friends in high places and I know he will be missed by all.

Today, everyone who could go made their way to Boise to see Charlie for the last time. His living will states that he wants his body to be cremated and scattered over his ranch (his second home, where he spent all of his free time fly fishing and relaxing on his time off) near Ashton, Idaho. I planned on going, but then Devin couldn't find anyone to work for him and I didn't feel good about going to Boise and back in one day by myself. So, here I sit. I can't think about anything else but the loss that my family has experienced and the gratitude that I have for Charlie and the profound influence he has had on my life.

His favorite phrase when he left anywhere or when he ended a note or letter was "ta-ta for now!" So, now it is my turn to say, "ta-ta for now" Uncle Charlie. I will miss you.

Awww, cute!

I don't have any nieces and nephews of my own, but by marrying Devin, I have inherited 12 with 1 on the way. I always knew that nieces and nephews were going to be so fun, but these kids are a riot. I enjoy spending time with them and being around them. We live very near 5 of Devin's siblings, so we get the opportunity to babysit sometimes too. Notice that boys way out number girls in that family...3 girls to 9 boys. Hmmm...

This is Kayden. He might possibly be my favorite, although I don't have favorites of course. Here is a conversation we had recently at the Perry Family Reunion:

Me: So, Kayden, how is kindergarten?

K: I like it.

Me: Why do you like it? Do you have a girlfriend?

K: (very shyly). Yes.

Me: What's her name?

K: Aunt Kim

Devin was very jealous.

You can't tell me that that isn't cute. I only hope our kids are kinda cute one day.