We Must Move On

GORDON SMART

August 30, 1951-October 24, 2008

Gordon, we will miss you. A better friend and brother you couldn't be.

We'll miss taking little trips with you.

I'll probably cry through the Rodeo in Las Vegas this year.


Will there be a family event that there won't be a hole in our hearts and an empty chair?

Who hugs better than Gordon? Who will give me that kiss-on-the-lips hello when I gather with those I love, if you are not there?

Who participated in more family priesthood events? The only one you missed for the Salt Lake area branch of the Dickson family was Gracie's on November 2nd. Were you there anyway? The circle was not quite complete.

Would we have spent more time together if we'd known we would have so little left? Would I have laughed harder at your dumb jokes if I had known they would run out?

How can we enjoy Thanksgiving at St George as much without you with us? You might not have been the best player at the family Turkey Bowl, but no one had more fun...

...or made it more fun for others.

A funeral is a time to celebrate a wonderful life. Yours was one of those rare ones that truly lifts so many people and gives us new resolve to be more spiritual, more loving, less self-centered, more thoughtful of those around us, but always have a sense of humor.

Your family is strong and very united and has great support from so many around them. I never saw a larger, better attended viewing, except for a general authority or U.S. President.

The spirit was strong at all the events. I think you were there and helped your family bring comfort and strength to each other and those around them.

Rosemary was surrounded by flowers, family, friends, advisors, neighbors, priesthood leaders, and the Comforter. She is sad but is facing life head on and with courage.

It helps to have a new grandbaby to hang on to. Many things made Rosemary smile through the sadness and pain. She will continue to find things to smile at. We will try to remember to share corny jokes with her.

Those who loved you went to Colton's game the week after you left. It was a symbol that we would try to continue on with living.

You left your family in the hands of a wonderful Bishop. Bishop Beecher drove all the way to Centerville to support Colton and, of course, Rosemary. He is loving, spiritual, and intuitive and present when he needs to be. He had Colton at the 7:30 am Stake Priesthood Meeting as you would have done, the Sunday after we lost you.

Were you at the game as Colton caught the baubled ball and took it into the end zone when time was up and won the game for his team? He seemed to think you caught that ball for him.

It really helped to celebrate something happy after so many tears.

Colton is a wonderful boy and I know you will be able somehow to help Rosemary finish his raising! The other kids are almost there already.

You have raised wonderful children and they will continue to be a legacy for you and a joy to Rosemary. Most of them came to the luncheon following Gracie's blessing. Fast Sunday in your ward was a spiritual experience for all. I am grateful your influence on that ward when you were bishop and in all your other callings was so strong. There is more love, more strength, more reaching out because you set such a good example when the ward was first formed. It will help Rosemary get through this difficult time. Please stay near if you are allowed. They will move forward, but it will be hard without the joy you brought into all our lives. We love you Gordon Smart. See you on the other side.

Making a Difference

Proposition 8 Passes

Preserving Traditional Marriage

Bob Knoke, of Mission Viejo, Amanda Stanfield, of Monrovia, Jim Domen, of Yorba Linda, and J.D. Gaddis, of Yorba Linda, celebrate returns for Proposition 8 at an Irvine hotel.

Standing on the street corners with my ward, heeding the prophet's voice!

It has been a long few months getting Prop 8 passed. I know that good people can make a difference. When our prophet says in no uncertain terms that he wants us to give of our time and means to pass this proposition because it is a moral issue with very far reaching consequences, we step up and do all that is asked of us. I know that when good people of all faiths and backgrounds come together and seek the Lord's help, the battle can be won. There has been a lot of bad news in my life lately, but I am so glad that this one went our way. It would not have, however, without the enormous effort of so many dedicated, committed, righteous people.

One bright life raft in a sea of worry.

Blessed by Grace: #23

Late is better than I have been doing lately. I took so many pictures of Sunny's new little one, Grace Elizabeth Wright, that it is hard to choose what to post. I have not seen her in a month and hear she has changed a lot. Gracie is a darling, dimpled, dark haired beauty but at one week she was very sleepy and off in her own post-pre-existence world. She was also very loved from the beginning. Sunny was tired and worn out before her birth and worrying if she could handle a new one with her very active 14 month old boys. Then when she called to tell us Grace had been born, the excitement and love in Sunny's voice told me that love conquers all and she was up to and thrilled for the task.
Alex got to be there for Gracie's birth. Can you see how excited all three of them are at this beautiful baby's entry into the world?

Not yet two days old with her adoring mother.

Proud father Steve beams at his minutes-old little daughter. Look at all that hair!

Just home from the hospital and still strapped in.

Charlie could care less about Gracie, but it was love at first sight for Sam. Sunny had to watch Sam every moment because he wanted to kiss, touch, stroke and hold his new little sister. He seemed to know her and be attracted to her from the very beginning. One morning Steve walked into the bedroom to find Riley had just hoisted both twins into Gracie's little bed and they were moving in on her like little vultures. Luckily Steve arrived before they did any damage!

Everyone Wants to Hold Gracie! Will She Ever Be Put Down?

Tristan was so cute with her and held her as often as he could.

Jessie is a natural and will probably be the best volunteer helper in the family!

Sage is experienced at holding little ones and argued over who got to hold her first!

Riley held Gracie often, but this was such a cute picture. The love just beams!

Sam couldn't hold her by himself, but he tried! He wasn't interested in anything else when Gracie was in the room. On the other hand, I couldn't keep Charlie around long enough to get a picture of him with her.

Sunny is so fortunate to have found Ashley. Ashley is Sunny's nanny, but is more than that. She loves the children, is self-motivated to be a wonderful help, willing to work whatever hours Sunny needs her, and is one of Sunny's best friends. She makes a difficult job possible for Sunny.

As usual, I am a little too smiley. I am again as in love with my #23 grandchild as I have been with all the others. (Yes, Jade, you will always be special to me, even if I have 23 more.)

Adam and Bailey picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hospital for my first peek. Bailey got to hold Gracie early. She has had some training already.

Didn't have my camera out when Jade was holding, but she spent half the evening snuggling with this littlest cousin.
Jennifer always grabs the babies up and has the magic touch with them.


Rosemary found a moment to visit on my last morning at the Wrights. She is now finally a grandmother of her own first grandchild. Laura just gave birth to a little boy, Stockton Reed Reschke. Gracie and Stockton were due about a week apart, but Gracie was a week early and Stockton a week late, so there is about a 3 week spread.

Here is a little window into Sunny's life as she gets Riley off to school with the "help" of Charlie, Sam and Gracie. Good luck, Sunny. Keep remembering it is worth it!

This little Grace, though she has her father's dimples and dark hair looks more like Sunny did as a newborn than any of her other children. I will have to dig out the baby pictures and post some. Who knows how she will change? Post some updates, Sunny.

Oh, look, she has eyes!

Welcome to our family, Baby Grace.

Ethan Max Dickson: 22 and Counting

Ethan Max Dickson, our 22nd grandchild was born on July 11th, just as Casey had hoped he would be. Her labor was quick and relatively easy, hardly time for the epideral to help out. We are as thrilled with #22 as #1 and as much in love. Aren't grandchildren wonderful!

Half a day old! Look at all the hair--it has blonde roots like my kids hair did.

Nana with Ethan
Papa with Ethan

Mackenzie is thrilled with her little brother.

Kayla gets acquainted.
The first family snuggles--no room for Dad.

Papa watches as they all admire Ethan.

JR with his children the first day home.
Mackenzie is going to be a great help!


Kayla is still trying to figure out how this all works.


Casey and Ethan at our house a couple of weeks later. Doesn't she look good already?

Uncle Adam gets acquainted.

Great Granddaddy Price does a little doodle-do with Ethan.


Grandma Marge has the touch.

Ethan's first short trip to the beach.

Aunt Sunny got to hold him for the first time, but I don't think a ray of sunlight got to him!


Aunt Ashley came to visit when Ethan was one month old.

We love you Ethan and are glad you're here!!