Dinner With The Folks

 Have you ever noticed that w hen intelligent, mature, adults get together there is a silliness that emerges that is not normal behavior?  Or that laughing at the way a brother-in-law orders his meal and desert is one of the highlights of the afternoon?  Anyway, Lunch with Big T's parents and most of his siblings on Saturday will be one memory I cherish for the rest of my life.
 Most of us shared a memory about pop-in-law that meant a great deal to us personally.  I shared my first memory of him.  I didn't know he taught stats at BYU at the time and noticed his BYU watch.  I said I go to BYU and other really stupid stuff and ended with stats is my least favorite class.  Faux pas, yes, but did he make me feel awkward or stupid no.  Thanks, Dad C, for being who you are and instilling many virtues in your children.

 My favorite of the many wonderful memories, came with a visual aid.  Big T's oldest brother is his parent's bishop.  Yikes!  Anyway, pop-in-law is a violinist and has great respecter of persons and things.  He understands the impact things have on people and history.  A Stradivarius was used in a musical number during Sacrament meeting.  Big bro introduced the man to pop-in-law and asked if pop-in-law could see the violin.   When he found out it was a Stradivarius, he wouldn't touch it he had so much respect for the instrument, it's history, and it's contribution to the world of music.  Later, he gained courage, and asked if he could hold it and was given the chance to play it.  Tears welled in pop-in-law's eyes as he retold this experience.  It was one of the greatest musical moments of his life.  I have seen tears in his eyes one other time and that was when he was talking about his love for his wife.  What a man!