Laura's Later Years

Laura's Funeral

Laura's service was so nice. We sang beautiful songs and most of the family spoke. The flowers were magnificent and represented our Mother perfectly. We love her and miss her so much. Below are some pictures of the funeral and under that is a copy of my talk I gave at the service.

My Father

Laura's Father

Celie putting flowers on the casket

In Memory of Laura Lee Robinson Benson
By Melanie Allsop

At this time of separation with my Mother I have so many mixed feelings; the emptiness of her absence, the gratitude of her service, the sorrow of her pain and the joy of her awaited peace. I have been humbled and reserved these past few months as I more fully realize how blessed I was to grow up in the presence of a valiant daughter of God. I want to share with you the legacy she has left with us.

It is hard to speak about Laura and not mention her visible talents and beauty; that was evident in the many wonderful, uplifting letters she received throughout her illness. On the outside her energetic spirit shown through as she entertained, created, and loved. I have millions of memories of costumes, music, makeup, and laughter. I still can hear her singing “wind beneath my wings” over and over and I remember how I would ask her to stop singing because she sang so loudly. That volume became handy during her humorous acts which in turn created a popularly requested genre of performances. “Second hand rose” and “Elona at the library” just to name a couple. Her comedic and her serious presentations were equally wonderful and her performing talents have touched us all in a way that will always bring a smile to our face.

Even though the outside of Laura was spectacular I would like to share with you her inner talents some of us have been privileged to witness. Laura struggled with taking time for herself or putting herself first. She wanted to please everyone. Most of the time we didn’t know what she wanted because she would try to do what ever delighted others before sharing her desires. Even in her last weeks she was thinking about how things could be easier for us. She valued charity and had a strong desire to have unconditional love for all.

Laura had a drive for personal education. She loved to study, explore and experiment especially with matters of health. She would get so excited when she learned something new that she couldn’t help but to share it. She also, had an unexplainable desire to improve things all around her. Creating artistic displays of talent and beauty, inventing ways to make dishes more convenient, and having so many project plans for the family made it so there was always something new and different going on in her home.

She was quick to work hard at finding solutions to a problem for you, she was determined with her goals and she had a skill for observing human behavior and analyzing it, but possibly her greatest talent or inner beauty is her dedication to her Savior Jesus Christ. Her testimony was unwavering and strong and her spirit was sweet and gentile. I remember on my baptism day I was ill and sad that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. She was so sweet with me making sure that I was comfortable and beautiful. I remember as she braided my hair that I felt her testimony of the gospel so strong that I knew it to be true because she knew it was true. She had a reverence for sacred things and she had her own way of bringing the spirit into people’s lives.

As a musical family we, especially Laura, have received many compliments about the quality of our talents. We owe the success of appreciative audiences not so much to the technical aspect of our performance, but the spirit and feeling Laura encouraged us to use as a foundation for our performance. The professionals teach us to project from the diaphragm . . . Laura taught us to project from the heart. Her personal interpretation of music lets the spirit teach and when she sang she could communicate the charitable intentions of her soul.

Though her spirit beamed through music, her devotion to the Lord was quiet and personal. I have strong feelings about Mother’s conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel as though she was my pioneer taking on the challenges so I didn’t have to. Because she allowed me to be raised in the gospel I owe her my testimony, knowledge, and peace. She paved the way for me as a Mother in Zion. She never stopped doing her best as she taught her family to love one another, never stray from their testimonies, and do what is right. I recognize her great sacrifices she made as she followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost, guiding her to raise a righteous family in the gospel. Spiritually strong, determined to progress, and committed to truth describes her discipleship on this earth.

At a young age I would beg mom to have another baby. I loved pretending as a child to be a mom and later enjoyed babysitting for neighbors. I remember her encouraging words supporting my goals to become good mother. I felt as though I was accomplished at it and I had good self esteem because of her continual praise and support. I even felt more confident to be a mother then, than I do now. Laura wanted me to explore what was interesting to me. Often we would sit together in excitement pouring over a book about parenting, sharing what we learned and seeing if the newly revealed principles fit into the guidelines of the gospel. It was then, at a young age, that I began to understand how intertwined personal revelation and success as a Mother was. I don’t believe I have ever witnessed my Mother try to decide whether or not to follow a spiritual prompting. If she knew it was true then she would simply do it.

These beautiful qualities plus many more have come to her because of her loving Father in Heaven and wonderful parents, Henry and Doris Robinson. From her father she learned to be a peacemaker; one who continually thinks of others first. From her mother she learned dedication to goodness; one who will stick to their course. Jan, my father, has been completed by his other half in ways we all have benefited from. They complimented each other and had a beautiful marriage. I see Laura in all of us children. I see her love for health and wholeness in Lisa, her desire to help others be happy in JR, her creativity in Connie, ambition to do better in myself, and her selfless compassion in Julie. We each have a part of her in us and we will pass those wonderful traits down to her posterity.

A few days before her passing I remember as we were reading letters from loved ones and friends her face looked as though she were in shock. She couldn’t believe the wonderful things people were saying about her and from whom they were written. I don’t think she knew how much she was loved. I am glad she was given the chance to see a fraction of the impact she had on people’s lives before her passing. Thank you for your kindness and love towards her and us. She was a wholehearted wife, a delightful mother, and a devoted disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will miss her greatly.

Our Drive Home

Thanks to all who helped us stock up for the drive home from Utah; we were able to keep the kids fairly entertained. On the way home however we decided to do things differently. We came home a different way so we could stop at the four corners sight. Not a great idea. Although the experience of us paying 6 dollars to get in, standing on the four corners in the pouring rain, and the desired Navajo taco costing 8 dollars (we didn't get any/too expensive) was memorable it still wasn't worth the longer drive. We also decided to get a hotel along the way instead of driving through the night. Another bad idea. Wow the drive home was long, but I am glad I didn't have to do it by myself. It is nice to be home. I have so many kind friends who have reached out to me and made sure I was ok. Thank you.

Jack being shy. What he doesn't realize is that his cover up for being shy is in fact embarrassing him more. Poor guy.

Yea!

Yea and we're done.

One of the 3 beautiful things we saw on the drive home.

Sleeping Beauty vs. Cinderella

Celie's job after a meal is to wipe the table and sweep the floor. She does a good job. Lately she has been telling me how she can wipe the table like Sleeping Beauty so I sing "I wonder" song while I put clean dishes away, every morning. I decided to actually watch her while she wipes the table yesterday and noticed that she does clean like Sleeping Beauty! You know that scene where they are showing Rose in the wood cutters cottage for the first time; on her sixteenth birthday? Don't be so surprised that I know this. She flings her little rag back and forth supposedly dusting right? All Celie has been doing is flinging her rag, sweeping the crumbs off the table while she sits on the table I might add. Anyway, I told her that the table isn't getting clean that way. (SB doesn't know how to clean, she had three fairies that raised her and don't tell me they didn't use magic those sixteen years; clue: they didn't know how to make a dress or a cake on her birthday; ya.) So I told my sweet Celie to clean like Cinderella instead! She actually knows how to clean a house. Think of the time when Cinderella is singing and scrubbing the entry floor. Yep, clean like that. She understood immediately and now scrubs all stickiness off, just like Cinderella. Before my favorite Disney princess was SB, but now I am reconsidering.

Paid in Full

Tonight is very special! I have just paid off the last of our student loans!!!!! I am so excited you have no idea. It means so much to Marty and I to be out of debt in this aspect. House is next :(

Marty and I believe that living within our means is essential to security, peacefulness in the home, self reliance, and overall happiness in life and marriage. I can't tell you how much of a comfort it has been knowing that my spouse and I agree on how to live financially. This bring us together and I can honestly say that I never worried about us getting into trouble financially because we never got into unnecessary debt. Even when we were making less than $10 K a year we lived within our means and were happy. Here is a link if you want to know more about the principles we strive to live by: provident living. Also, here is a link to a small, easy to read booklet that we have loved: One for the money.

Yea for us! I think we will have to celebrate. Don't mean to sound boastful, I'm just so happy and relieved.

Gardening in July and much more

I spent about 3 hours in the garden and yard today. The weeds were so huge they were almost as big as the vegetable plants. Our tomatoes are growing nicely and there hasn't been much fungus, pest, or bird trouble yet. Our family just had our first "Marvin & Joes" (bread, cheese, tomato, salt & pepper toasted) and Celie announced she had a new favorite food. I was surprised she changed from her consistent favorite of Mac & Cheese with hot dogs.

The two oldest played outside the whole time I was out working. They love being outside. They can play with rocks and water for so long. I am glad they found something they could love playing with and it doesn't even cost a lot of money!

I think about my Mother a lot. Usually I would be talking to her and telling her all of these things instead of writing them on my blog. I miss her. She was so funny.

Celie has been trying to imitate rolling of the eyes. She is having a hard time understanding what it is even though she does it all of the time. She keeps asking me, "Mom, am I rolling my eyes?". She would be staring straight and still. Nope, that's not it.

Jack told me with his grumpiest tone and face that he wanted to go bye bye. I asked where and he replied with Jesus . . . and Nana. "bye, bye now!" He would say. How sweet they are at this age. I have discovered a funny thing about Jack. I believe his reflexes are a bit slow, or non-existent. When ever there is an accidental self inflicted pain such as closing the play cell phone on his finger holding it pinched with the other or standing in an ant pile or like the other day holding his wet finger on a dry ice cube he simply sits there crying and yelling ow over and over. I would think that you would shake your hand or jump around, anything to stop the pain. But he just sits there with his finger on the ice cube waiting for me to pull his finger off. Silly boy.

Jett is about 20 pounds now and is all height. He has a fast arm and can hit and scratch with the best of them. Even at the age of 11 1/2 months he has no interest in walking yet, but he is a fast crawler. He loves dancing (or I should call moving to music). If there is anything with so much as a rhythm he starts shaking and rolling his torso. Sweet Jett is still a great sleeper and he loves his sister and brother. He broke his first two bottom teeth about a month ago and now his is breaking five more on top. A molar and the four in front. These were all emerging while I was in Utah which made it a little bit difficult. I love my kids!

Fun pic of Jett

G&G's house

Tractor and Jack

big boy Jack

Learned to ride a trike at G&G's house.

Fun pic on the farm

fun pic by the tractor wheel

Fun pic on the farm

Daddy getting ready to shoot the gun on the clay farm.

Too loud.

Jack having fun on the water feature at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Celie swinging at G&G's house.

Sister and Brother!

Jack in the rock on our hike in Logan canyon.

Ballet recital day in May '09

Preschool Graduation day in May '09. Kindergarten coming up!

Preschool Graduation Day.

Funeral

Here are some pictures of the Funeral.

Casket Spray. We ordered her tropical, bright colored flowers to represent her personality and love for the beach.

Picture of Laura and her sister as cartoon characters.

memorabilia

She was a dancer, performer and peach queen.

She was a USU Aggiet

Pictures

Wedding dress

poem on wreath

Hat Wreath

Mother

What an emotional roller coaster. These past four weeks have been beyond anything I ever imagined myself doing. As I look back, I know I was lifted and was given the capabilities to do what needed to be done. My sweet Mother was so patient with me as I struggled to care for her. Even though she was in so much pain she was grateful for our time together. I couldn't have done it with out my husband and his family. I had full time babysitters and didn't have to worry about how my kids were doing. The two weeks I cared for her were some of the most special days I have experienced. I feel humbled to have had the opportunity to serve her remembering all of the service she has given me as her daughter. I can not adequately express what it was like to be with someone when they pass away. It was a hard thing to do. Among all the feelings of helplessness were feelings of peace and gratitude for her release from pain in this mortal life.

My heart is full as I read sweet emails and cards of sympathy. How memorable it was to see old friends and family come and support my family at this hard time. I will never forget your kindness and prayers. I have literally felt the prayers lift me up and sustain me through this trial. Thank you.