Robert Spencer Munson, Jan. 2, 1935 - Mar 12, 2010

What a whirlwind of the last week! (Has it only been a week? I feel as though I've aged much more than that!) On March 12, about 5am, I was awakened by my brother Mark, telling me that our dad had slipped away somewhere around 4:30 am. I was in such shock! I had been planning on going to Boise that weekend to help mom with dad...and here my brother was telling me that dad was gone. I had a hard time grasping the thought. However, once I did grasp it, I turned into action. We all arranged to go to Boise and be there for mom. Me and Julie drove together, and Kay, Karla, and DeEtte went together. I'm so thankful that we all went. We were able to help mom with choosing the burial plots, helping her pick out the casket, and in just finalizing all of the grunt work, that no one wants to do. I also got to help write the obituary that night with my brother-in-law Mike, and then Karla and Darrin proofed it for us, made changes, and we sent it off to the mortuary. The mortuary was wonderful! My sister DeEtte's friend, Dorn Radamacher (sp?), helped us and he was so good to work with. We also got to go into the chapel and see dad on a table. This was so hard for us! To see him, when he had left home that morning. It was pretty difficult for all of us. My mother said a beautiful prayer for us all, there with dad. The spirit was so strong and I felt so close to all of my brothers and sisters. It was a very special moment for us. I think that Friday was the longest day for all of us...beginning so early. On Saturday, I went back home to Sandy, and then on Sunday, went back to Boise with Don. We got to dress dad Sunday night, and that was a very spiritual experience also. On Monday the viewing was held, and on Tuesday the funeral was held. What a fast couple of days...but oh so rewarding and spiritual. I wish I could bottle up the feelings and thoughts that I'd had, and keep it all for a later time.




Don got to help put on his wedding ring.









My father. I don't really like seeing him like this, but he looks pretty good, doesn't he?!?





He got to be buried with the flag, from his 2 years of service in the Army.








Me and my father. I love and miss him so!









Linda, me, and Becky Thomson...a good friend from grade school.







After the viewing...we made it through halfway. The flowers were so pretty!








His vault.








Pallbearers: L-R, Russell Barney, Kay Munson, Bob Zurcher, Mark Munson








Pallbearers: L-R, Don, Jim Solosabal, Darrin Munson, Mike Wood










Army tribute...this was so cool!










The casket with the flowers on top.








After the funeral...we survived.
Mark, Kay, Darrin, Julie, Mom, Kim, DeEtte, Linda, Katie, and Me








Me and my sisters: Me, Katie, Julie, Mom, Kim, DeEtte, and Linda







My brothers: Mark, Kay, Mom, and Darrin





This is my kids at my daughter Amy Rebecca's grave. It is in the same cemetary as my parents. I'm so happy to think that there will be family there. L-R: Brittany, Jake, Josh, Jenny, Rusty, Me, and Don is taking the picture!




I was very lucky, in that Don let me stick around Boise until Wednesday. I had to come home to do payroll, or I probably would have stayed longer! I had the most difficult time prying myself away from my mother's home, and left as late as I dared. I wanted to stay there with her forever. I just love being with her and in her home. I know that my brothers and sisters will take care of her, but it was still difficult to leave and come back to reality. This past week, as I said, has been a whirlwind. It's gone so swiftly and today is Monday again. It's so odd to think that last Monday we were getting ready to be at the Mortuary for the Viewing. My father had a lot of people come through, and it was just like a big party for him. We were able to visit with so many old acquaintences and friends and family.


The feelings and thoughts that I had during this special 4 days are very sacred to me. I hope that I will always be able to remember them, and that my brothers and sisters and I will always stay close, so that we can talk about things together. It was truly a precious time, and one that I will treasure for the rest of my life!


Here's to a man that lived life with gusto! And yet was not flamboyant about the way that he did things. He loved all, and we found out that he was loved by all. He shared much that we didn't know about, and he left quite a legacy for us to follow. He's got some pretty big footsteps to fill...and I hope that I will be up to the task. He loved life, and he lived life with the center focused on the Savior, and his church, and his family. What a wonderful example he is for me to follow. Love you dad!!!

Jeanette Royle Monson

Don's aunt passed away in the middle of February, and because of circumstances with my dad, I am just barely posting it. She was such a fireball and had so much energy. I loved her in the short time that I was acquainted with her. She was separated from her husband, and went through her battle with Colon Cancer alone. Such a sweetie, and a good person. I'm so glad that I got to know her better. Unfortunately, I did not get any good shots of her 5 children.

Nadine and Larry at the viewing.

Don, Larry, Glen, and Jim on the morning of the funeral.

Larry and Nadine

At the grave, with 2 of Jeanette's daughters. It was a beautiful funeral...a little long...but very good. (2 hours long!) Her casket is so beautiful...and the flowers were just beautiful. Just like her! Full of beauty and color!

Spring is Coming...

I know that it is! My bulbs are coming up in my front yard. AND the phone is starting to ring again at work, which means that people are thinking about cleanups, fertilizing, etc. It's so good to know that it will soon be here. Now if we can just get the temperature above 60...I'll be happy.


What words remind you of Spring? A few of mine are: Renewal, Atonement, Blossoms, Rain Showers, Rainbows, baby animals, Bulbs blooming, Lilac Bushes, Easter, Easter Eggs, Cadbury Eggs, Easter dresses, Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Sunshine, Clouds, Windy days, Flying Kites, Walks in the neighborhood, and Allergies!!! lol.

I went to Boise last weekend, and helped my parents with their yard. We (Don, Jenny, and Jake) pruned rosebushes, trimmed shrubs and fruit trees, and pulled unwanted grass around the plants. It felt so good to get outside and do that for my parents. Don and I were a little sore the next day...but the service that we gave, far out-weighed the discomfort that we felt. It was good to be in Boise, and to help out in some small way.

My dad is not doing well. Each trip to see him, breaks my heart more and more. My dad had such a zest and love for life. The Hospice nurse told my mother that he only has weeks left, instead of the months that we thought. That has made me realize that his new journey will begin soon. I hope that I will be ready to let him go to it. I think that I can, if only to see him out of pain. It is not fun to watch the ones that you love suffer. And when you can do nothing to alter it, you feel even more helpless.

My mom has been his rock. She is amazing and does not falter with his care. We go in and try to help her out, but she prefers to do it. It is so tender to watch her take care of him. She has learned when he needs to be alone, and when he needs her. I watched her this past weekend, and was truely in awe of the person that she has become. She has not let it beat her down, and she has not given up with his care. Her love for him, is shown in the way that she has stayed by his side and supported him.

Yes...Spring is almost here. While Spring signifies new life on earth, maybe, just maybe, it will also mean a new life, or the continuing of another life, for my sweet father. We will be left behind to live our lives without him. Though we will miss him, we will learn to cope...and will hopefully meet up with him later. Also because of the atonement and resurrection of our Savior, if we live as we should, we will all meet up again. In fact, the reunion will be sweet, joyous, and tender. Just the thought makes me want to be such a better person!

Spring...I will never think of it the same way again. It signifies so much to me now, and perhaps means more to me...and will always have a special place in my heart. I think that I am to the place, where I can add Release to my Springtime words...and pray for my father, so that he can begin his next phase of his life.

A special thank you to all of my family in Boise. They do so much for mom and dad, when I can only do little snippets of time. They will never know of the gratitude in my heart, that I feel for them. They are truely dad and mom's ministering angels!!! I love you all!!!!