Exhausted -

Gonna take a few days off. The past weeks, the past two years, have been mentally and physically exhausting as Scott and I have cared for, and supported, my parents. It's time now to grieve, to reboot, to assemble a new normal. Exhaustion doesn't even begin to cover my emotions.

And I would do it all over again.

Every Child Becomes Your Child - Be Nice (France)

The moment you become a parent, you begin to see the world through a different lens. 

The love in the world becomes magnified by all the hopes and dreams you have for your children. 

And the tragedies in the world are now internalized, as you realize that anyone who is hurting is someone's daughter or son. 

If just for a moment, that child becomes your child - you forge a connection with a stranger who lives a world away. 

It's tempting to try to disconnect and look away so you don't have to feel their hurt. But it's that connection during a tragedy that transforms into the love that helps the world heal in the days that follow. 

Stay connected. Be the love.  (The Dusty Parachute)

Angel's Landing? Hell No -

I've written about our (Scott and Ronda) love affair with Zion National Park. I've also written about how much I do not like heights. And because of this, I haven't made it all the way up Angel's Landing. And after watching the below video, I am sure I've made the right choice. Enjoy -

M. Clyde Walker Obituary -

M. Clyde Walker passed away in his sleep late on July 5, 2016. A loving husband, nurturing father and grandfather, and dedicated member of the LDS Church, Clyde was just a few weeks away from marking 85 years of dependability, compassion, wisdom, and constant hard work. 

He loved his family, “big band” music, Dutch oven cooking, ballroom dancing and floorshows, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, woodworking, waterskiing and boating, BYU football, providing a shoulder to lean on to countless young men, and serving whenever an opportunity presented itself.

Clyde was born August 2, 1931 in Grant, ID to M.W. “Mike” and Maple Walker. Raised in a family of six, he spent his early years in Southeastern Idaho, graduating from Roberts High School in 1949. As a young adult, Clyde enjoyed an internship in San Francisco at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, where he acquired his unique flare for cooking. He then joined the U.S. Navy as a cook and served for four years on ship and shore during the Korean conflict in Japan, the Philippines, and San Diego. He returned to Rigby, ID to work in the restaurant business with his parents.

Shortly after returning to Rigby he met his sweetheart, Alice Ann Jensen. After a brief courtship, they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and built a home in Rigby, where over the next several years they welcomed seven children. Clyde saw great success in the restaurant business opening Walker’s Cafe in Shelley, ID, Mack’s Inn (Island Park, ID in 1972 and 1975), and Walker’s Townhouse in Idaho Falls.

In 1976 Clyde relocated his family to Orem, Utah and continued the same line of work, managing The Plank House and Old Dan Tucker’s (Orem) and eventually retiring as Food Service Director for ZCMI in 1996. In Idaho and Utah, he served in the church as a bishop, branch president at the Provo MTC, agent bishop, in several bishoprics, temple worker, in multiple youth callings, and blessed many families as a 100 percent home teacher. With Alice, he served full-time missions in Hawaii, the Philippines, and Las Vegas, NV, and provided Chuckwagon support for the commemorative LDS pioneer wagon train in 1997.

Clyde is survived by his wife Alice, his brother Newell, his 7 children (Ronda Weaver, Sheri Gibb, Brett Walker, Maria Wiscombe, Craig Walker, Vicki Birkeland, and Scott Walker), 23 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Cherry Hill 5th Ward LDS Church (140 East 2000 South, Orem). A second viewing will take place Monday, July 11, 2016 at Eckersell Memorial Chapel (101 W. Main Street Rigby, ID) from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Graveside services and internment will follow at the Lewisville Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, Clyde would want you to “take your family out to a good Mom and Pop restaurant” or make a donation to Primary Children’s Hospital. Thanks for the memories.

My parents on July 1, 2016

M. Clyde Walker -

My father passed away Tuesday night shortly after 10pm. There's so much to say about him. I don't know where to start. Except - he was a great father, a good man, and a very good example to all 7 of his kids. My Father's Day card to him said, "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters." And his love for us was evident throughout this past weekend.

More later. In the meantime - give your daddy a hug.

Taken Friday, 7/01/16

Watermelon Crawl -

Happy Fourth of July everyone! The watermelon's on me -