Remembering and Honoring

I don't know if Memorial Day is like this in all states, but in Utah, especially around where I live, the cemeteries fill up with flowers and other paraphernalia at the graves of people's loved ones. I go back and forth on my feelings. Growing up, we never lived near close family member's final resting places, so we never placed flowers at graves. My parents also espoused the belief that it is unnecessary, and went on to tell me that I shouldn't do it for them when the time comes.

When my Dad passed away in 2005, and the first Memorial Day rolled around, I was a little conflicted. But it wasn't a hard decision to make and I went down, bought some potted flowers for my family (and for my mom who was out of town that weekend) and we visited the cemetery. The next year, I did the same, in fact, my mom asked me to get her some again as well since she was out of town again! Last year, I didn't do it.

Guilt.

This year, I knew I'd feel bad driving past the cemetery and seeing all the flowers, and I wouldn't be able to stand it thinking about Dad's empty headstone. I want people that are visiting the cemetery to know that my dad is loved, remembered, and missed. I got the generic offering of daisies this year, but I really think that next year, I'll take a tomato plant. It would just fit, since at this time of year, he was always busy planting his fabulous vegetable garden, which always included a plethora of tomato plants. :)

Thank you....

Casper Conrad Nicoll

Don Carlos Nicoll Jr.

Guy Alma Nicoll

One mother's sacrifice: three sons sent to serve in WWII.
One army, two navy, later one served with the marines as a medical corpsman.
(And although not pictured, one son-in-law as well: J.T. Hunter)


Kenneth Naegle Nicoll

Later, after his mother's death, another son (my handsome father) served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

The ultimate sacrifice, as her second son was killed in action on Iwo Jima.



Thank you
to all our veterans who have served us and our country.
May the Lord bless you and your families.

Family picture out-take...

Since the leaves are great right now, and this is possibly the last day of warmish weather to get a new family picture with an "Autumn" look, we fit it in! Here is one of many out-takes. It is near (if not totally) impossible to get all six of us looking good in a picture. (This is pretty close, except for J!) It doesn't help that I am doing this with the self-timer!

...'Til we meet again...

Last Sunday my Aunt Marie, one of my Dad's older sisters, passed away. She lived a long full life, and will be greatly missed.

Jared, Ellie, I, and my mom are off for a very quick trip to Vernon, AZ for her funeral and time with family. We leave this morning and come home Sunday.....I hope we and the kids survive the 20+ hour drive! ;)

My cousin Bradi, who is much better with words, left this wonderful memorial on her blog.

Bradi mentioned a few of the things I remember about Aunt Marie....like the fact that the poor woman did not inherit the tall gene that pretty much EVERYONE else in the family did...she took after her mother and was on the short end of things....but she wasn't short on listening to people, which isn't a strong family trait! I didn't see my Aunt Marie often due to moving away from the home state of AZ and not being able to attend the family reunions and weekends at the ranch. But when I did see her, she knew who I was, and asked about me. I appreciated that so much. It's hard to be a member of a large extended family, many that spend a lot of time together, and still feel part of it when your visits are few and far between. But there are many in our family, Aunt Marie included, that didn't let you forget that you were as important as any of them.

She also told great stories. I think that is the thing that makes me the saddest as the older generation passes away.....so many stories go with them and are gone. I regret so much not bugging my dad and recording his thoughts. I came along after both my grandparents were gone, so I don't have memories of them. I got a few details out of my dad of his growing up years, but he really didn't talk about it much. My cousin Kevin is really trying to get some things recorded, and I applaud his efforts, and hope we can all benefit from it. We really do have an incredible family heritage to continue to build upon.

Thank you, Aunt Marie, for being a part of, and helping to build that strong heritage. You will be missed.

Aunt Marie is the older girl on left.

Aunt Marie is the older girl on the right. Check out the little boy in the suspenders on her right....no that is not my son, but it is his grandpa! I gave birth to my own father....

Children of DC & Ethel Nicoll, 1978
back: John, Kenneth, Guy, Cap
front: Joyce, Phyllis, Marie

Generations.....

My sister FINALLY updated her blog...and a picture of her son, Connor, freaked me out....reminded me of a picture of my dad, his Grandpa...so I decided to put them together for a bit of comparison. (I think there's a definite resemblance...but my brother Russ is the dead ringer for my dad!)
For a while, we've also thought my little boy resembles his Grandpa. We don't have too many pictures of my dad at a young age, but here is one along with one of Jared....what do you think? (My Dad is the older boy in the picture, the little one is his brother John) I think there are similarities, but maybe what we are seeing in Jared are looks and mannerisms that remind us of my Dad.

My Daddy was my favorite pal....

My dad was an awesome guy. He was tall, 6'4", strong, and had huge hands. Just look at 'em! He had what he called "sausage fingers". As a little girl, when I would hold his hand, it was only holding on to 1-2 fingers, because there was no way to hold his WHOLE hand!

I miss those hands!

My dad left this mortal existence July 2, 2005, a little over two years ago. It was an unexpected exit, which made it all the harder. It is still difficult to have him missing out on my kids. Although I'm sure if he could talk to me, he'd tell me he can hear Nicole screaming from heaven(she can be really loud!). He'd think Jared was awesome. I just know he'd be "Boppa's" little buddy. And Ellie...wow...he'd be blown away by Ellie. I know I am biased, but she is one beautiful baby, and we have those Nicoll genes of his to thank for the dark eyelashes and brows that girl has! He never met her here on earth, but I know he had some words of advice and a special send-off for her as her sweet spirit came into my life.

My dad was not a man of many words...unless you were a college age stranger, then he'd talk to you! I am opposite of quiet. I wanted to hear about his life, family, and growing up. I'd pull stories out of him every so often. I'm kicking myself now that I didn't get them on tape.

As stated in his obituary, my daddy collected hobbies. He'd pick up on something, make sure he got all the gear to go with it, and then not really do all that much with it! Fishing rods, fishing flies, woodcarving, sourdough bread making, cookbooks(he'd read them, never actually make anything!). A few hobbies he did excel at were gardening, salsa-making, and dutch oven cooking. Thank goodness for the food he shared with us!

My dad gave me a love of music. Whether it was genetic, environmental, or a combination of both, I sucked into his love of music. Classical and Bluegrass being the favorites. The man loved his Beethoven, and passed it on to his daughter!

My dad had an extensive LDS book library. He loved reading the scriptures, and studying other books and commentaries about them. He always took the adult education classes at BYU. My dad's greatest gift to his family was his unfailing testimony of Jesus Christ as our loving Savior. I am so thankful he was my daddy, and even though I know where he is, and that I'll see him again, I miss him.