Colleen Craven's memories

I can't thank you enough Linda for putting this together!! Already I've learned stuff I may never have..Too funny Richard and Linda.. And thanks Diane too.  We're all so glad your mom is doing better.  I just finished reading these 3 enteries to mom (Leah). She is temporarily? staying with me for those who may not know.  She too has had a rough couple of months.. 3 falls, 10 fractures, gallbladder and hernia surgery, rehab...etc  and at age 94 3/4ths!!  Don't you all hope we get hers and Blanche's good Moulton genes?  (minus the "worry" and macular degeneration genes though).. This has been so FUN for her to hear all these memories and her face just lights up when I read them to her.. She remembers them like yesterday..(another good gene we can hope for).
 
I told her to be thinking of some good stories that we may never have heard or may not if they don't get recorded from this great generation...She's thinking.. and thought for starters you all might be interested to know that today Feb 10th is Grandpa Hyrum's birthday!  Happy 130th Birthday Grandpa!   
 
Mom has been reminiscing about her and siblings childhood going to the powerplant to have lunch with him.. sitting in those old chairs Diane talked about and Grandpa always fishing there on the stream, and picking those lilacs..  Later on, Glen and Rachael living by the powerplant..  "What a sad day it was for everyone when they tore the powerplant down."  One of the smokestacks or something is all that remains..
 
She remembers as a young girl.. "someone left a car (yellowish-green rumble seat old car) at the powerplant. probably stolen.  The city tried and tried to find who it belonged to with no luck.. Finally they either gave or sold it cheap to dad.  I remember riding around in that car in the back rumble seat with Blanche and Marvel thinking we were millionaires!  Thats the car dad taught me to drive in.  He never growled at me he was so patient and kind.  If I made a mistake he would just laugh if off. " 
 
She remembers Glen and dad's mink farm out back.. Grandpa Hicken was down from Canada.  He went out where the mink were and wondered if he stuck his finger in the cage, would they bite it?? Well duh, that mink nearly bit it off.  He went in the house with a bloody nearly biten off finger!   
 
Richard, mom remembers how when you and Doug were born near the same time...Doug had the most beautiful, full, black head of hair.. Poor Richard, bald as a bat.... But my how time changes everything.... today, Doug going bald... Richard, beatiful, full, black? head of hair...at least the last time she saw him..
 
Me, well Shawn and I live in Farmington for the past 15 years.. We have four kids. Kelsi our daughter in a wheelchair with muscular dystrophy, is living in Logan attending Utah State.  We're so proud and amazed at her! Big 21 in 2 weeks!.. Maquelle high school senior trying to decide where to go to college and working at the Flower Patch, turns the big 18 next week!! Calder age 14 9th grader, plays the trumpet, baseball, and does well in school.  Kaden age 12 6th grader, plays comp basketball, and baseball.  All great kids! Shawn and I own our own business, LamWood Inc. in Bountiful... a commercial cabinetry company celebrating 20 years in business this year!  I just turned the big one a few days ago (50). Shawn threw a fabulous party/wake for me complete with search light, 50 black balloons,  funeral spray, casket cake, 120 neighbors over to a catered dinner through his 2 sisters, bedpan, cane, and hospital gown for guests to autograph... my only regret, you werent all there to help me celebrate!!!!  Keep sending the memories, and a little blurb about who, what, when, where so we all get to know each other even better!


Colleen Calder Craven
February 10, 2011