False alarm, I think..... and Barton Lybarger

Since last Friday I have had pressure in my eye, the one that had a stroke in it.... Today it got quite bad and I was very light headed... Joshua with the encouragement of people at school drove me to the emergency but there was no sign of a stroke... I still feel the eye problem and I am still light headed but I can ignore that if it is not serious.... I am seeing my eye specialist Friday, and I will see if he can give me any answers.... So I am very thankful but I still wonder what is bothering me.... I talked to my mom about her mother's husband, her father, Barton Lybarger... I wanted to know why her name is named after him and his brother.... She did not know..... I wanted to know why Grandma Rigby left Barton Lybarger and she did not know.... I love my mom but she really doesn't know anything and she even admits that she wishes she now knew too.... How did she meet him.... Did she ever get over him and how long did that take.... How did he treat her.... I love my mom but she does not know anything... Grandma Rigby offered to take my mom to see him when she moved to California after she got married, but she had no desire to do that, I don't blame her but I would really like to know more.... Why was my Mom's first name Alma named after Barton's brother.... Why?... We just don't know.... I am going to have a long talk with Grandma Rigby when I die because enquiring minds want to know.... Night....

Another Day, Another Dollar

I had a good day teaching and I really had fun teaching science... I let them know that I am not exactly an enviromentalist like most of their teachers they had before me.... Guess what, they really were mostly brainwashed.... I think they are more concern about glaciers melting rather than bombs from Iran.... Hmmm, has Obama cronies plant a believe the ridiculous chip.... I told them that I would teach them correctly and will try not to be bias either way.... Fair and balance and then I will let them decide, wow, I have seen to much of the Fox Channnel.... I am very tired, I officiated a game at Littlerock... I am sure doing a lot of volleyball, and it is kind of cool to make the extra money.... It is funny but ever since the Anaheim days when Venna and I were broke I just can't seem to relax and say we are making enough... I am getting there though.... Iran right now is really flonting the fact that they have nuclear bombs and Israel is about ready to attack them... Obama really doesn't like Israel and it is pretty clear and scary.... I have often wondered if the prophets of old saw visions with Obama in them... I would not be the least bit surprised.... I want it on the record that this guy doesn't fool me a bit and now he has 49% of Americans approvel and 51% disapprove of him..... He used to be in the high 60ties in approval just 4 months ago.... But he and his cronies seem determined to bring down our country that was created by inspired Founding Fathers.... To Obama they are just old news and ultimately racist, everyone of them, Obama is a sick man and it is interesting see how much damage he can create.... Night....

Oh, Brent you had me rolling!

Not only did my vocabulary increase as I pulled out good old Webster to understand Brent's discription of "Whooee" blog, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.... I wish all Doctors could be so interesting when they write.... Hey, Brent write some more, we need your manly expression on fathehood and house cleaning... You've come a long way from the days of working for Walmart.... See you on October 23rd and get ready to see California City and their golf course.... Why can't we make a comment on your blog?.... Night

Went on a date with Taylor

On Saturday afternoon Taylor and I went to the mall to pick up a Lemonade-Rasberry Julius.... It was delicious but the company was even better.... We had a lot of fun talking about music and American Idol..... We then went and had Mom's car washed... Some people buy roses to make their wife happy, myself, I get the car washed.... Venna and I saw a lousy movie called "Surrogates", it was really weak but I got to hold my wife's hand and we had fun being out together...I had a busy Sabbath day, I had 7 PPI's but we are going to have a great showing in visits in homes this month.... Brian didn't come to church and I really missed him.... He did a great job of setting up my day and many people was impressed with the way he did his calling.... I am going to be doing geneology this Wednesday and I am taking a geneology sunday school class.... It is pretty exciting for me.... President Beazel came to our ward to announce that everyone is suppose to have a 10 minute talk ready for Stake Conference just in case we are called on, because the Presidency is calling people from the stand to speak.... Interesting Stake Conference, I wonder if that might hurt attendance.... We will have to wait and see.... Joshua taught a great lesson in Priesthood meeting.... Night!

It happens every time!

It was the Saturday that I knew was coming but I wasn't looking forward to it.... I love to golf on Saturday morning and our stake had a priesthood breakfast and meeting.... I went because I know the church is true, but I wasn't excited about skipping my golf game.... The stake put on a great breakfast with scramble eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon.... Then there was the meeting, heck I was even going to speak in it by invitation by President Banfield, but I still was not excited about being there.... But according to D&C 130:20-21 you are blessed for doing good things and that was established even before this world was created and sure enough I left the meeting with tears in my eyes and the warm peaceful spirit of the Lord for being there... While I was speaking and getting ready to bear my testimony I asked President Banfield if I could have two more minutes to say something and he of course was gracious and said that it was okay, well I experienced a stupor in thought and I told the brethern that I experienced that and I told them that I will bear my testimony instead.... I had that stupor of thought until President Banfield talked about the very thing that I was going to talk about but he said it much more profound and obviously with the authority that a Prophet of a Stake has and it hit me wow I was going to say that but the Spirit wanted President Banfield to say it..... He spoke about the fact that doing the will of the Lord (then he promised us) will allow us to feel the Spirit everytime we do the Lords work..... I am now home watching the Cal/Oregon football game and I am really able to enjoy it because I made a wise decision this morning.... I am taking Venna out for a date tonight and we are going to see a movie and wow, she looks good, I am anxious to take her out... She is my best friend.... Night!

Doctor is in a giggly mood!

I went to my cardiologist so he could give me his view of my blood test results.... I showed him the pills that Dr. Grubb gave to me and he was all happy that I get to take these pills.... He told me it will really help me feel normal again... I told him that I feel find, but he assured me that I really didn't know what fine was.... He told me that in one month I will really feel good... He also told me that people like to go on the stuff who really shouldn't because they want to lose weight.... He assured me that I would lose 10 pounds in the next two months.... He was just giddy and it was kind of weird to witness, I guess that I am pretty glad that I have the stuff.... He told me that I will be on it for the rest of my life.... I forgot to mention last night that I saw Taylor run her first cross country meet yesterday.... It is always fun to watch my baby do things in high school... I am very proud of her.... Bo is getting bigger, not taller but bigger and he is beginning to fill out.... Was it not creepy to see those elementary school kids sing that song in a worshiping way about Obama.... I am telling you he would be front page news in the Book of Mormon if he would have existed back in those times.... We aren't going to sing some warped song in my class about Obama.... If you are reading this fifty years from now, then do yourself a favor and look up this ACORN group that exists at this time..... You will think they are fiction but oh my they are real, and really wicked..... I can't understand how people will embrace wickedness like that... Oh by the way Scott can you go over to Wayne's house and help my mom get all the blogs that we have on her computer... I tried but my lack of computer knowledge was just downright embarrassing and I could tell she wanted someone who really knew what he is doing working on her computer.... Thank you Scott.... Night

Obama is Scary

President Obama has been speaking to the UN and he is blantantly doing what Burl Hunting use to warn me about many years ago and that is that the people are trying to get the US to unite with the world to make a world power.... He is using global warming as an excuse.... He tells us that if we don't get global warming under control that disasters are going to hit.... Duh, disasters are going to hit but that is because prophecies have stated that.... But the words of living prophets just cannot stand up to the scholars of today.... I am amazed how satan works, he is actually convincing a good portion of the world of global warming and other things.... I wish that Nuclear Weapons never had to be invented but we live in a time when all knowledge is being revealed and bad people are taking advantage of it.... Why do you think it took so long for the Lord to reveal this knowledge.... Man cannot handle it so it was revealed in the last days and men are stupid enough to really take it hook line and sinker.... We cannot get rid of nuclear weapons because we need them to confront and control bad governments, countries, and people.... But someday they will be used, and we have leaders like Obama to take charge at this time?!!!.... He doesn't even love America or at least the America that we grew up with.... He wants to be the leader of an America that will work with the world.... I am trying to figure out how Obama is going to become a dictator in this country... Don't laugh because if your honest they have brought about things that are just mind boggling and they do not represent the America that we grew up with... I am sure that Obama doesn't want to be 8 years and out.... Do you really think he is thinking that way?.... The election of 2010 is critical and if there is going to be a shift for the good it will have to happen at that time, if it doesn't happen then the wicked people in charge will feel embolden and Socialism will become an absolute fact... The only thing we have going for us is the Book of Mormon and the assurity that this is God's land and the God of this land is Jesus Christ.... All will eventually be well and the wicked will burn as a stubble but how long will this be, it matters not because it will come at the Lord's time.... Night

Hyper Thyroid

I am sorry that I sounded so dire and straight last night... I was in a funk, but I realize that I must have appeared really dramatic.... I went into the Doctors office and when I saw the doctor she asked me how I was feeling... I told her that I was feeling great until they and my cardiologist specialist wanted to see me quickly because of my blood tests.... I told her after that I was feeling prickly and strange... She asked me if I was feeling tired and I told her that I was feeling great and that I was wishing I was playing 18 holes of golf... She then told me that I should be feeling extremely tired because I have hyper thyroid.... I told her that I never felt so good teaching school.... She then said that she hoped that my blood test did not get mixed up with someone elses test.... I thought to myself, "Oh thanks a lot for that tidbit of information to make me worry even more".... She gave me pills to help and she told me that since we found it I should be just fine... I officiated at East High tonight.... Money, money, money!!!..... I also got to baby sit Racheals kids for aboult 15 minutes.... The kids were really cute and excited to show me the house... Brian and Rachael is doing a great job.... Brian went to a meeting to prepare to be a school board member..... Night....

I am afraid that I am not doing well....

My specialist and my family doctor are anxious to see me after reviewing my blood test.... Is it all in my head.... I was feeling pretty good until I was told about this... Now, I feel all prickly and unconfortable.... I hope it is not to serious because I am really enjoying life but then again maybe that is why I might face obstacles.... I love my Heavenly Father and I know this is just a probationary time so what is to be is to be.... I am about to see Brian and Rachael get sealed and I am very confident in Bo and Taylor, ahh, I sound stupid... I am acting like I am about to die.... It would be bad timing because I need to do my geneology work.... There, all of my family and friends who read this can now say he sure is a paranoid old man..... I officiated at Vazquez tonight for volleyball.... I kind of enjoy doing it... My class was so cute at the way they welcomed me back.... BYU football sucks this week but life is good.... I have a classy beautiful bride that I love so much.... Yea, life is good and I am lucky to be who I am.....

I had fun inspite of BYU game....

To Vanessa Billy, it will be our thrill to be able to see you and Theron and your family..... I am so excited that we can read each others blog... Sometimes I want to give technology the Mormon virsion of a cuss word but when it comes to connecting with special people that you have lost contact with well..... God bless technology.... I had so much fun at Utah... I thank Becca for helping me get my airline tickets.... It was great to see Scott, Corine, Darin, and Lizzy and my visit was special, but it was really special to be able to finnally spend some quality time with Wayne.... I think we had a very enjoyable time but I had to share him with his ailing wife who had an operation two days before I came.... I was thrilled to share him.... Mom is doing really well and she has a very nice situtation at Waynes house..... She has her own bedroom and bathroom and the house is a really pleasant place with a peaceful Spirit.... I had my own bedroom and bathroom too.... Wayne and I went to a high school game on Friday night.... We had lunch with Derek, Travis, Ryan, brother in law Steve, and Travis Son Tate.... We then went to the BYU game... We were decked in navy blue for the spirit of the game, but it turned out to be the blue that equals depression because BYU got their head handed to them by Florida State.... They got killed and it was depressing during the game but then reality hit me and I realized that I live with a wonderful family and I am one of the luckiest people in the world.... I really missed my wife.... We do so much together and I wish I could have had her with me.... I am glad to be home and to be able to be around my favorite people, my family...

Ahh, sunglassess

I had a lot of fun with my class when we were doing silent reading.... I put on my sunglasses and could not tell if I was reading or looking at them.... I was also reading the end of "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck and I knew that I was going to be shedding some tears behind my glassess... I officiated a game at AV Christian HS and it was boring but I got paid so what the heck... Tomorrow I am flying to Utah and visit with Scott and his family and then spend 3 days with Wayne and his family, with the addition of my mother..... I wish Venna could go with me....

Football, football, and more football

I beat Jake in the LA Connection fantasy football league, but got beat by Travis in the JBII fantasy league.... Jared beat Rachael in her first try in FFL.... It is a lot of fun, but I worry sometimes if it will be something hard to explain in the long run... It is fun and I do love the connection with the Wayne Briggs and Janet Malesich families.... If it wasn't for fantasy football I am afraid there would be no real contact between us.... Scott's team was the leading scorer in both leagues.... I got a new student name Amalia and she probably should be in the 8th grade but she hasn't gone to school in the past 18 months... I guess she has an explosive temper and she wants to wear skimpy clothes and she is well endowed too... Oh well, what can I do... My class is practically perfect and now who knows...This girl did a really good job today but we will have to wait and see what is going to happen.... I am looking forward to going to Utah to see BYU play Florida State.... Wow, that is something and the great thing is how supportive Venna is in allowing me to go without a guilty conscience.... Night!

Long day, but a good one!

It started early this Sabbath Day and I got home about 3:30 but the visits were good and necessary.... It is weird because I don't really need to do all this for the sake of man made glory because I would be very pleased to have a calling that would allow me to come home after church and spend more time with my family.... That is the greatest glory to spend time with Venna, Taylor, and Bo at home... But the church is true, it is, and I know it and this is the driving force to do all you can to serve Him... Jared taught a great lesson and so did Rachael Jay in Sunday School.... Joshua is doing a great job as the Mission Leader.... Jacob was called to the youth program and Kari is working with the Primary as the secretary.... Brian did a great job as my excecutive secretary and made some valuable comments about geneology in our class.... I think I am getting revved up again to do geneology work.... I only mention this day because the Glory is His and we are in the Last Days and in my mind it seems like this is the time that we need to kick it in gear and sprint to the end.... I hope that my family will forgive me for my opportnity to relax at home, this is truly my castle and I love it.... We also went to Riley's birthday and she was very cute and Kari does a great job..... My grandchildren were adorable in Sacrament meeting and they were so well behaved, I am proud of the parents...

Golf, BYU, USC, Tyler Perry

This morning Joshua and I went out golfing..... I got my revenge and scored an 80.... I then went to the auto dealer to get a light bulb for our headlight on the Corolla... That was a move that made life easier for Venna so she could drive at night.... When I got home from that I settled in my front room and watched 3 games by alternating channels and they all 3 ended up like I wanted.... BYU beat Tulane by 50 points, UCLA beat Tenneessee, and Notre Dame loss also... There were a number of upsets so I believe that BYU might be in the 7th in the nation range on that polls this week... Then Venna and I went to see the movie, "Tyler Perry I Can Do Bad Enough By Myself".... I always love to see Tyler Perry's movies because they are hysterical one moment and your crying in the next, but what I really love is being in a theatre filled with my black friends and seeing their faces and wondering why Venna and I are there.... Personally, we should not be the only race outside the blacks seeing this movie because the message is great for all of us.... This one may have been my favorite though, but I am not sure because I love them all.... Venna and I always see his movies either the 1st or 2nd night because we want to be amongst the crowd because their reaction is also part of the fun of watching his movies... When we came home I had the opportunity to see a very good USC-Ohio State game on DVR and I thought my Ohio State loving son and law Brent was going to finally have the last laugh.... Nope, he needs to suffer some more because USC barely won in the final seconds of the game.... Now the build up is there for the BYU-Florida State game and I am absolutely lucky to be able to be with my brother Wayne in seeing that game.... I fly out Wednesday night so I can spend Thursday with Scott and Corinne's family and then it will be Wayne Briggs style of living for the next 3 days... I am really looking forward to it... I hope that on Thursday or Friday night one of Derek or Travis kids plays football or soccer.... I am ready to go to church now and I am thankful to be a member of the Saviors church, I can't believe that I have been touched by the Saviors hand and the peace of mind that I experience in this mortal and troubled times..... Night!

I saw Theron Billy's new baby!

Way back when we lived in Anaheim around the time of 1983 we had a Lamanite child who stayed with us during the school season.... His name is Theron Billy and now through the internet I am able to see his new baby and wife Vanessa and I have to say it is a really proud moment to be able to witness this through the magic world that we live in... It's wonderful to be able to share my thoughts and instantly hear from family members also... Wow, this is a great life.... Then there is President Obama speaking to our Congress last night and how ill it makes me to have a president that never talks about how great our country is and the great history that we hold.... I only hear how selfish and wicked we are, that is really crazy and upside down... Oh well, I belong to the Lords church and He promised us that we live in the promise land so let President Obama and his cronies do their best but they will fail miserably in the end.... We have that promise from the Book of Mormon.... I officiated a volleyball game agan at Vasquez and I got paid $113 dollars for 3 hours work.... I worked with Becky Derreck whom I deeply respect as an official.... Pro football started tonight but it isn't nearly as exciting as college football....Steelers beat the Titans in overtime.... Night!

I like this better than Facebook!

I heard from Becky Malesich and it was a very nice message.... I believe this media allows us to be thoughtful and speak with a purpose... I think that other thing that everyone is on seems to be teeny bopper and half of the things I read are the same annoying things I read when my students writes notes to their friends... It is great to read all the messages that I get to read in this blog.... Today was kind of ordinary, I had a good day at school, officiated at Palmdale High, had a Elder Quorom presidency meeting and came home to my wife.... Brian did a great job in the meeting... When I came home and I watched TV with Venna and held her hand.... My favorite part of the day.... I just love to be with my wife, no one and I mean no one makes me happier than she does.... Becca called up Taylor and talked to her about her paper that she wrote about her grandfather and that meant so much to her... That was nice of Becca to do that for her.....

And the beat goes on....

I thought that I was completely done with officiating but I did some scrimmages in girls volleyball tonight and I am going to officiate this season... I think I am doing it because of the money I am going to lose not doing WAA (Wilsona Achievement Acadamy).... Joshua and I are doing it together....I am really having fun teaching my class.... They are a great bunch of kids and they really treat me nice.... I feel like the students are really learning a lot of things.... We were officiating in a gym tonight that was just 2/3 litted... It is amazing to me that we live in a time and age when they can't even light up the gym.... As I am going out to my car afterwards I see girls and boys hanging all over each other.... I just think to myself how scary it is to send Bo and Taylor to school.... And yet I know that I can't pull the plug.... They are the remaining light in the schools with all the other Latter Day Saints.... Now, someone might think that I am arrogant and I would be if the doctrines and church wasn't truly the Lords.... I just pray that they are protected, I believe they are.... We would probably be shocked to see how many administrating angels are on their left and right hands and all about them..... Hmmm..... Did I say that the gym was 2/3 litted, that would mean that it is 1/3 dark.... We are the 2/3 and we need to hang in there no matter what.... Night!

Happy Birthday, Joshua

Joshua and I went out golfing this morning and it was a happy birthday for Joshua.... He shot under 80 for the first time.... He shot a 79 and I shot an 86.... Joshua and I go out quite often and I want to thank Rachelle for letting us go together.... I know it is difficult with the little children but Joshua and I go out at 6:00 in the morning so we can be back before it is to late.... If you ever want to get my wife to say,"Damn it Jeff" just blow an official's whistle in the house without her knowing it.... Pretty dumb thing for me to do... It was really weird having the house without little children here today and it was nice but I know that after a couple of days I will miss those noises again.... Florida State loss to Miami 38-34, so that puts a slite damper on the game next week but it still remains a big game for BYU....Next week is USC against Ohio State, can't wait..... Night!

A tribute To Reed "Pinky" Briggs, by Taylor

This is a tribute that my daughter Taylor gave to her Grandfather, my Dad.

Pinky

The loss of someone is always hard, but have you lost that person, feeling like you didn’t know them at all? I’m the youngest of eight, with my older brother being 18 years older, and through this massive difference of age, I missed out on a lot of experiences. Some experiences include relationships with family members. One of the most profound losses was my grandfather. Reed “Pinky” Anderson Briggs was a very stereotypical grandfather. He would make the good old sports games, make visiting him a blast, and would always be willing to cut our hair. He was a barber which made this a real privilege. But by the time I was born, a lot of this changed, like his blazing red hair, which gave him the fitting name, Pinky. Through those first 13 years of my life, I learned a bitter lesson that you should never let go, because their will come a day that he could be gone.
My most recognizable memories of my grandpa would be mostly vague memories. I was really young when I would go, but I would go often. Every Easter we would pack into our car and the “Easter bunny” would visit their house, leaving lots of toys and candy for us to enjoy. The orange aroma would fill the back yard, the sun would warm my skin, and the toys would get my excitement up so high, I’d feel higher then the sky that warmed my skin. We didn’t just go there for those wonderful Easter Sundays, but also just to visit. We would go and I would often venture the very familiar house looking for anything new. One of the most wonderful things I would discover would be this grass, green harmonica. I would go around the house acting like I could play, when it was obvious I couldn’t. Then, my grandpa would say, “Let me see it.” He would play a tune and I would just jump with excitement. My grandpa would love to spoil us. He would always give us a big ice cream cone, and I would often get little toys from him, like this little red bear that became one of my closest friends for the week I had it. But one of the most memorable things was the Flintstone cards that we would play war and other little games with. This would all be exciting, but what was really memorable was the fair we went to. I was so excited to go, but shortly after we arrived, either it was too expensive or there was just not enough to do, but we decided to leave. But before we left, my grandpa decided to play a fair game. It was short, but one of the last times I would be able to enjoy my amazing grandfather. A few weeks later he had a stroke.
My grandfather’s stroke was a major effect on my life. Because I was the youngest, I didn’t get the tangible experiences, but the memories which were so vivid in everyone’s mind. I remember the day, I heard the dreadful news. My parents just came to my brother Bo and me and said that our grandpa had a stroke. I didn’t know what a stroke was at the time, I just thought it was their way of saying he died. Well, in a way he did. We still went to his house with the luscious, green grass and the wonderful weather of nice comfortable heat in Canoga Park. That comfortable weather never seemed as wonderful. When we entered that tiny but familiar home, I was amazed to see my grandpa on the couch. By amazed, I mean scared. He wasn’t the same man I knew for so long. My Grandpa used to talk and laugh so easily, but it seemed as if his words got lost in the tunnels of his mind. He would forget our names, places. He was lost. This persisted throughout the years, but my fear shortly changed to sadness. I quickly realized that when I finally got to do sports and other activities, he wouldn’t be in the stands cheering in his strong, yet loving voice. He wouldn’t be the first person to cut my hair. Actually, he never would. He couldn’t tell me his grand stories about his many adventures in life. I would have to rely on my own father for that information. But to hear it from the lion’s whispers, that would have been an adventure in itself. My grandpa and grandma moved to good old Vegas to be closer to my uncle and aunt. They had a petite condo that was just as small as their old home, but seemed so large and amazing with the enticing atmosphere! In their old home you got the good old country feeling in a city house. Here you got all city. They lived in this home for years, and in those years we saw improvement to my grandpa’s health. Though he still was still plagued with the brain refusing to communicate with the tongue, his words seemed to find their way out but it was easier to solve a jigsaw puzzle than to know what he was saying. We got a portion of his old self back. The sadness I felt for so long changed to joy by the time I was 13. The Christmas after I turned 13, we went to my grandparents. It was just like any visit, but ended in a peculiar way. My grandpa would sit on his soft, welcoming chair, and would have a large laugh leading into tears that would fog the very recognizable black frame glasses. When he finally removed the glasses to dry his eyes, you saw the tears swallowing his face. He was so happy to see us, and I didn’t realize why. We visited, ate and had a happy early Christmas with them. This occurred a few weeks before Christmas. Finally, our grandpa wanted to give us our gifts. My grandmother always gave us the most elaborate, beautiful things. My grandpa gave the simplest. I opened my present and received a gorgeous china “teapot” that was so alluring and small. Then my grandpa said, “Taylor, I saw this and I wanted to give it to you.” I received a small toy flashlight. Stars shined through it with the patriotic colors, red, white and blue. My grandpa whispered to me, “ You don’t have to keep it. I just thought it was amazing that something so small could give off so much light. You could throw it away if you want.” I replied quietly, “Grandpa, I will keep it forever.” The tears glistened in his eyes and I shortly noticed the tears running down mine. I didn’t realize then, but that was my last Christmas, along with the last time with him.
January 2, 2008, the morning was the same as any other morning. The bright sun shone through the living room window. The Christmas tree that held amazing memories in its hands, stood glistening. The house was as cold as a beautiful snowfall, even though the ground outside was as brown and grainy as desert could be. It seemed like that morning held no surprise. I couldn’t be anymore wrong. I sat in front of the T.V. my mind as blank as a new sheet of paper. My mom walks in with a troubled look and I couldn’t tell why. The stress of the past holiday, maybe? I quickly figured out that wasn’t the case. She looked at me with her weary eyes, which weren’t just tired, but red. I thought of what could have possibly been troubling her, but I couldn’t think of anything. Then, in a soft, almost whisper voice, she said, “Taylor, your grandpa Briggs passed away in his sleep last night.” I couldn’t believe it, it couldn’t be true. I saw him just weeks before, and he seemed fine. Why then, why that second, did it have to happen? Why did it have to happen to him? He never did anything but the most wonderful acts. Why did it have to be him who’s health would have to suffer so much, that it finally led to his last slumber? I couldn’t say I was sad, I was furious. My anger came out as tears. The tears were boiling anger that stung my face as it slid down. This anger was constant for the next week, though I got very good at hiding it. I’d put a smile and everything would seem fine, while on the inside, I questioned whether it would ever be okay. The funeral came fast. The day that it was to be held, it was rainy and windy. The sun seemed to hide, and the warmth was not their like it usually was in Las Vegas. We stood in the building where the service was to be held, and either we were silent, or in tears. My young niece starting crying the second she heard grandpa’s casket was coming. I saw her and told myself I wasn’t going to cry. The hundreds of people their slowly started to lose control of their emotions, so I made sure I was around the young kids who didn’t have a clue what was going on. Then, he came. The second I saw the casket, I lost all feeling. My body grew numb, my emotions took control. I lost it. I cried and cried, feeling anger. Anger about his death, about my loss of control and about how I never would truly get to know that amazing, mystical man, who left only his body behind. My dad walked over and hugged me. His face was close to mine and I could tell that his face was moist from tears. “You’re sad, aren’t you Dad?” I whispered to him. His answer surprised me. “Taylor, I’m sad, but also happy. Grandpa had to suffer for so long. He’s probably up there, talking away. Of course I’m going to miss him, but I’m happy that he’s free.” I didn’t understand it at first. If my dad died, I’d probably not be able to function. How can he be able to be happy that he died? We went to this room where we could view the body. I saw my grandpa lying, so peaceful. I looked at his face closely. I realized he didn’t have his glasses on. The only time I saw him without his glasses was when he was drying his eyes. It was strange. But what really hit me, he wasn’t smiling. That was almost impossible to see him without a smile. I quickly went to sit down, and while I sat, I just hoped that this would be a dream and I would wake up and see my grandpa alive and well. Clearly, I never woke up. I listened to all the conversations, the majority having to do with memories about my grandpa. I heard so many bright, joyful stories, and realized that I never knew that man. I saw my dad, his eyes soaked and I thought about what he said. I realized that it wasn’t that he was happy that grandpa died, it was that he was happy that my grandpa could be the amazing man he was so long ago again. That would be the man people would remember, not the man that was confused and lost. When I finally understood what my dad said, the weight that came from my anger left. I was finally able to laugh, to cry and to feel without anger again. I enjoyed the stories shared instead of feeling envy. We went through the rest of the day, and just felt like, together, we were finally able to have that amazing man back. My family and I had to return that night to our home in Lake L.A., so when the ceremony and dinner was done, we were ready to go. We exited the building and to my surprise, we had a cloudless sky. I guess the Briggs were in control of the weather that day.
I never really looked at death the same way afterwards, neither the way I saw grandpa. Before his death, I felt like he never would die, and that I would always have my grandfather. Right afterwards, I never thought I would recover from the shock and pain. The message I’m left with now is that, even though my time with him was short, he’ll always live long, as long as I allow him too. I know more then I ever did now about the man. I know he was brave, strong, hardworking, selfless, and most of all, he loved me and my family. That will never change.

Wow, BYU beat Oklahoma

Bo and I screamed and cheered and plenty of high fives all around.... BYU football team pulled of the major upset against the mighty Oklahoma team... ESPN constantly told us about how great Oklahoma is but now they have one loss under the hands of the BYU team.... BYU needs to beat Tulane in Louisianna and then they will play a home game against Florida State and I will be up in Provo to see that game with my brother, Wayne..... He has these alumni tickets and he is taking me as a guest... I believe that it will be the biggest game in BYU history, at least the biggest home game.... I love football season, it is just a wonderful time of the year for us sports fanatics.... Today there was major turmoil in our ward in the activities area and it really looked like it was going to burst into a full fledge problem.... Because of the confidentiality of the situation I cannot go into details, but I believe that I was able to help smooth it over by not getting emotional and just coming up with solid plans to take care of emotional issues... The Lord doesn't want us to act out on our emotions but to pause and listen and then act according to the Spirit that we are blessed to have in situations that dictate calmness.... It helps to have wonderful counselors who support me, so much.... Brian and Rachael have there family in there new home.... I think Brian is a little overwhelmed, but the kids are so excited to be in their own home.... Rachael is a real trooper also.... We are all in our own homes and this chapter in our life is over.... It was tough and we had to excercise a lot of faith in the decisions we made because many of them went against what Venna and I believe in.... President Obama is a scary person and I mean to use the word scary.... I have never heard him state that he loves our country, speak fondly of it, or speak with reverance with our Founding Father..... Instead he wants to change our country in the image of Obama and not in the Lord's image.... Oh, our country has never been perfect but it did provide a perfect setting for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... It is the light on the hill where the gospel began and now is spreading into all the world, but I am convinced that Satan is working on President Obama in a way that is counter productive to the work of the Lord.... The majority of the nation is fighting him with there words but it seems like a long time before we can vote our voice as wicked men systimatically destroy the fiber of our country.... So, I am glad that all my children have homes as we get set to hold on tight while we ride this wild ride.... The young people have know idea what America is really like.... They cannot possibly know what a blessing it is to live in this land and the freedoms that we have, they are being polluted with the doctrine that our government needs to take care of us.... I am very thankful for the Bible and Book of Mormon that testifies that Jesus is the Christ and especially the Book of Mormon because it helps us to understand how great this land is that we live on and that it is God's land and the only God that will be worshipped in this land is Jesus Christ.... Night!!!

Happy Birthday, Venna

It's my wife's birthday and Kari made her a beautiful cake that looked like a present with a huge bow tie.... Kari can really make those cakes.... She made me one that had a golfer and flag, hole, sandtrap, ect... It was absolutely awsome.... Venna and I are going to celebrate her birthday on Saturday because with teaching school and especially teaching seminary, well she is just flat tired.... I went and saw President Beazel for a PPI and that was a nice experience.... College football started tonight and it was fun to watch games again... I love this time of the year.... BYU plays Oklahoma Saturday and USC plays San Jose State also this Saturday.... It is still smokey outside.... I have never seen anything like this.... Some homes got burnt down, also.... No homes close to us...Night!!!

Still smokey, still played golf!

I thought the air was finally going to get clean and then about 4:00 in the afternoon the whole valley was filled with smoke and it almost look like a fog. Joshua and I golf together though and we both were hot. I shot a 75 and he shot an 81.... Brian and Rachael is getting very close to move into there own house.... I am really tired.... Night

It is still burning!

The area is still burning, oh we are safe here, but the sky is filled with smoke and it is still beautiful in a very eerie way.... My class is not allowed to go outside so they are pretty antsy but compared to my WAA class last year they are still perfect children.... Wow, I had no idea how hard I was working or how much my emotions were frayed.... We are going to go paint Brian and Rachael's house tonight.... It shouldn't take that long and then I believe they are moving in on Friday.... I am really happy for them.... Another High Priest got called to be an Elder's Quorom president in the stake and he called me up to see how it works.... All I can say is that I have a presidency that makes it work.... Namely Jason Jay, Jared Briggs, Alan Watkins, and Brian Thomas.... Night!