An Early Memorial Day

 A beautiful, peaceful area

My brother Chris, me and the kiddoes at the the grave site.

Last night we had a little pre-Memorial Day family activity.  We went to visit the graves of My great-Grandparents, Susan Virginia Burton and Edward Steven Kimber.  We go there every year to put some flowers on their graves and clean up their headstones a little bit.  

My paternal Grandmother, Genevieve Kimber was their only living child.  About fourteen years ago, when I was a student at BYU, my grandma's health made it too hard for her to made the trip down to Provo from Ogden for Memorial Day.  She gave me a few dollars and asked me if I would get some flowers and take the to the graves for her.  I went that first year, and a tradition was born.  I think she made it down one more time before she passed away, but from that year until she passed away, five years ago, Grandma would send me a check and I would go get some flowers and visit the graves.  Since my Grandma had no siblings and my cousins live in Idaho, I was pretty sure until recently that I was the only one who brought some flowers.  However, I later found out that my Grandma's cousin, Fawn, who lives kind of nearby, sometimes visits there as well.  Sometimes I stop and stay for a while.  Sometimes I park the car and jump out, leaving new babies in the car and do a quick cleanup.  Sometimes I am joined by siblings who are attending BYU.  Last year, my mom came with me for the first time after being out of the country for the past six years.  Last night we stayed for a while.  The kids thought it was cool, except Zack prefers the word Cemetery because he thinks graveyard is spooky.  I may or may not have said, "Graveyard," a few times in a spooky voice because I am sweet like that.  We tried to teach respect as the children took off like wild hooligans through the gravestones....aghhh....Syndey chased birds everywhere.  That was actually very cute.  I really love to go down there and it always makes me appreciate the sacrifices of my ancestors.  Here are a few things about my Great Grandparents

Susan Virgina Burton:

Grew up in Mt. Pleasant

loved to tease

Her father was a member of the Martin handcart company and lost his toes due to the harsh conditions.

She lost two babies, I believe and was thrilled to have a daughter, Genevieve.  

She became a widow when her daughter was only three years old.

She and her daughter lived with her parents for many years.

She never remarried.

Later in life, she adored her two grandchildren, LeAnn and Steve, and later her great-grand daughter, Jennalee.  

She died just a few months before I was born.  

My dad has great memories of her and lots of funny stories.

Edward Stephen Kimber:

was funny

worked on the railroad

loved to spoil his little girl (he would always save his dessert from his lunch pail and bring it home to her)

died in a railroad accident in his early thirties (in 1921, I believe)

I have some photos and life histories of them, but they are currently at my parent's house, so  I will have to dig those up to find some more info.  I think it is awesome to be able to share these stories with my kids.  I love my family (even the ones I have never met!)