Brigam has been a busy boy. He has been sharing his great self with Shirley Dickson who lives across the street from us. Shirley's husband, Dean, has been in a life care center since October of last year. He's been struggling with pneumonia several times among his battling diabetes and becoming increasingly confused. Shirley would spend a HUGE part of her day with Dean and return home each evening. Brigam loves to visit with "Grandma" Shirley and "Grandpa" Dean. Shirley, in turn, loves to have Brigam visit. She's really serious when she tells me that. He spends hours over there.
Two weeks ago, Saturday, Shirley had many, many people at her home. This wasn't abnormal, because she's had lots of family and friends visit her throughout this trying time. That morning, Mike and I took Brigam to his early morning baseball game. We came back about 11am. Mike and I left to go work on the house while Brigam changed out of his baseball clothes and donned on his safety hat and safety vest. He had a hold of his tool box in one hand and an extra safety hat in the other, just in case anyone else would need one. He headed over to Shirley's. He as there for hours! Eventually he made his way over to our other house. I asked him how it was at Shirley's. He said, "Great. There's a lot of people over there. They were all telling stories, so I had to tell a few of my own." I asked him what his stories were about. He said, "Oh, you know. Bottle rockets and fishing." Well, after I stifled a giggle, that was that.
About 9PM, Mike and I were still at the house when Jeremy called me and told me that Shirley just called him. She told him to let me know that Dean had passed away that morning and that was why all those people were over there. Heartbroken for Shirley, Mykalyn and I rushed over to her open arms. We cried a bit with her and then she told me how grateful she was to have Brigam spend that day with her. How he helped to make that day a bit more bearable. Then everyone there started talking about Brigam and his great personality. They all love him. I am actually not known by my given name, over there I am known as, "Brigam's Mom".
Before Mykalyn and I left, Shirley mentioned that she didn't tell Brigam that Dean had passed. She thought that should be my job.
I went home grateful that Brigam's little spirit could bring so much joy, but a little downtrodden at the task ahead.
As a family, we happened to all be gathered in the garage of the new house. I came down to Brigam's eye level and told him that Dean had died. That he was no longer at the life care center. He said, "Oh" and that was the full amount of emotion shown by him. I was a little surprised with his reaction. I remember Jeremy's tears when I met him at the bus stop after school one day when he was in second grade. We sat down on the curb together as I told him that his beloved scout leader, Brother Bailey, had passed away. There were tears, hugs and explanations of eternity. Brigam's reaction surprised me.
It was only a few moments later that the family parted ways. Tyler and his friend headed home. Mykie and Mike stayed in the garage. I headed into the house with Brigam close behind. About 10 feet from the garage, Brigam burst into tears. He said, "I am so sad that Dean died. He was so nice to me." I instantly wrapped my arms around him and cried with him for a few moments. Then I said, "Brigam, you've got a great family that really loves you. You are surrounded by people that love you and want to have you around. You live in a warm and welcoming home where we talk about many blessings we receive and it feels good at our house. Your life is pretty good and makes you happy, right?" He agreed, then I told him that with as good as this life is, Dean had gone to a place that was much better than this beautiful life that he left. That Dean missed his family, but was very happy where he was. He will be able to see all of his friends and family again.
Then Brigam spoke with a wisdom and understanding beyond his years. He said, "Right, and what's that word that means you'll never have to die again?" "Immortality?" I answered. "Yes," he continued, "Dean is immortal and well never have to die again. And he'll be resurrected because of what Jesus did, huh!" What a testimony and understanding all from a 7 year old. Simply a priceless moment.
(Not pictured is Marie. She was at a different class when this was taken.) It was a lot of fun. Belly laughing is good for all sorts of things. These girls make that easy. I should do it more often.
I thought to myself, "When did that happen?" I mean, I drive that street EVERYDAY. I couldn't believe that I had almost missed it and because of my 14 year old boy that actually appreciates beauty, I didn't miss it. Jeremy is the best! Just to prove I don't always miss things, I took this picture of Spring at BYU while we were there. Aren't they so cute? 
He even had shoes that matched his tie. I am NOT KIDDING! Anyway, he got the tux for a bargain price - he is always getting the good deals! I need to take him shopping with me more often. He even found us an (originally) $1300 couch for the barn for $200 at Walker's furniture. It was a returned item, but it is going to work great for the "play room" in the barn. It was the most comfy couch of all the couches there. I should know, we sat on all of them. Tyler would go to a couch, sit in it, say, "Nope, this isn't the one." And quickly proceed to another one only to say the same thing. I showed him the clearance room and there he found "The One". For a man, he really knows how to shop!