Perhaps remembering the ancient prophecy in Malachi about the heart of the fathers being turned to the children and vice versa 162 relative to eternal, sacred ordinances163, as Dad and Mom made their peace with each other during these “empty nesters” years, I suspect that they desired to make sure that there were secure links in all possible areas between themselves and us children, as well. Thus, they began to more earnestly reach out to us in various ways. I’ve already mentioned the regular and meaningful visits to each of our homes.
Additionally, however, as Dad’s business continued to grow and prosper, they also sought to be favorably remembered and more securely bound to us by sending unexpected gifts. For example, one Christmas, an expensive Magnavox television console was gifted to each family.
What is more, they determined to provide tools whereby their family could gather, interrelate, and be strengthened by one another. Thus, in December 1967, they purchased property in Arnold, Calaveras County, California 164—in the big tree, gold rush/mining region of the state—where they erected a beautiful cabin. This then became an assembly point for many subsequent family gatherings. Diane and Suzanne, living in California, remember regular jaunts to the cabin with Mom and Dad. However, since Drew and his family, and our family lived in Utah, we could not be with them as often. Nevertheless, I vividly recall a family trip there in the spring of 1972: it was then while relaxing at the cabin that I received the call to serve as a new bishop, when we returned to Utah. 165
Furthermore, Mom and Dad utilized family trips as another appropriate means to gather us all together. In August 1968, when I was working as chief resident during my final year of training, they rented tent cabins for a week at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park and invited all of us to attend. It was a wonderful respite. 166
In April 1969, Barbara and I, having decided to set up practice in Salt Lake City that summer, had come back to Utah for a week at General Conference time to find a house and to arrange for office space. While there, we enjoyed several pleasant days with Mom and Dad, who were also there for conference. They assisted us in evaluating various properties. We appreciated their wise input.
Then, the next year, in July 1970, Mom and Dad introduced Drew’s family and our family to the Triangle 2X2 Dude Ranch in Moose, Wyoming. They had been there the year before on an insurance company convention, and were so impressed that they wanted their children and grandchildren to experience it, too. They were right. It was terrific.
It was so good, in fact that we came again for a week with Mom and Dad and the Tannyhill’s, in August 1972. (The Budd’s were unable to participate with us, as they were involved in a new business venture at the time):
However, this trip would prove to be one of the last times that the children would be able to become well acquainted with Mom. She … had not been feeling well… [and] had already experienced significant feelings of fatigue and malaise. As we visited together one afternoon at the ranch, and as she watched her grandchildren playing out on the lawn, putting her head on my shoulder, and with tears on her cheeks, I recall her saying to me, ‘I wish the children didn't have to know me like this!’ [She died six months later.] 167
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