Sadie Ashton Evans ~ 7 months old
Yesterday, Faye and I attended the Phoenix Temple Open House — for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We drove in “the beast” — nickname for the big van owned by Jonathan and Candace Evans (our son-in-law and daughter). Rubi and Jordan (daughter-in-law and son) joined us in Tucson. All five of the Evans’ children were in the van, also. Sweet, chunky, kissable, 7 month-old Sadie did not enjoy being in her car seat for that LONG trip. She is becoming increasingly mobile and I think didn’t like being strapped down for that long! The other kids did pretty well, despite the occasional, “He’s bugging me!” type of inevitable irritations that come from kids being on a long trip.
The temple was beautiful and peaceful! While there, we saw a high school classmate of Faye’s, who introduced me to his wife, who said she appreciated what we were writing. This week, one of my patients told me they had been reading our posts and reminded me, “If you can help just one person, it is worth it! You may help save someone’s life who is also struggling with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts!” That is part of why we are writing. Another reason is to leave a legacy for our son, Ashton — that he was and is loved. Yet another reason to write is that the act of writing somehow helps us heal in our grief.
Ashton Mayberry ~ Age 7
As I read through the comments on Facebook this morning, I was touched by how many people are reading and commenting on our posts that we don’t even know: 9223 people were “reached” this last week. Wow! The words of the song, “Rhinestone Cowboy” spontaneously came to my mind, “…getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know!” (but no offers coming over the phone :)) I confess that this is new for me — with so many people who know our story — but there appears to be a need for what we are writing. Thank you in advance for reading, liking, commenting and sharing! You may not know, either, who might be touched by your efforts to do so.
One of our grandsons REALLY likes to drink soda — so on the way home, we had to make a quick “potty stop.” I don’t think it was a coincidence that we got off on the Avra Valley Road exit in Tucson. As we sat in the car on the side of the road, I realized that that is the route the Tour de Tucson follows. The Tour de Tucson is a bicycle race I have been participating in intermittently for the past 27 years (
http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/). When Ashton was about 12 or 13, he rode with me in the 25 mile race. He was riding far enough ahead of me that I couldn’t see him — until I came around the bend in the road and found the “Bike Patrol” helping him fix a flat. It turns out that the “bike patroller” was a fellow family physician who had taught me in medical school! Small world! Ashton and I finished the race uneventfully and then went out to eat — I think it was at Applebee’s — he may have eaten a hamburger with bacon on it — I don’t remember. Before getting back on the freeway yesterday, we drove down the road to see if I could remember the exact spot where that flat had happened. I think we found it. It’s funny how that memory cropped up right then — but I’m glad it did!
Today I wore my cycling tie to church in Ashton’s honor.
Written by Carter
