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After Arlo Died, my life changed. I was still working at the Conejos County Library. I worked there for 7 years. The following year I was very busy. I kept myself so busy that I didn't have time to think. in all. I was on four major boards. I was president of the Conejos County Hospital Auxiliary, I was on the board of directors for the building next to the Hospital that was built to house people who were in need of housing where they had help from hospital personal. I was Republican Committee Woman, and I was on the Cemetary Board of Directors and I was also on a group of people from the Alamosa Library, (genealogy).

I stayed home for a year and then moved to Mesa, Arizona. I lived with Georgiana Lillywhite, as a companion. She was 90 years old. I worked there for her for one year. While I was there I was called as an ordinance worker in the Mesa Temple. One day Kent called me and said he needed me to live with him. He and Phyllis had divorced and his life was difficult at the time. I lived with Kent In Colorado Springs for a year. That was a special time. Kent and I had a great time. He met Betty while I was there. We did singles things and he worked at the job he has now, but the company changed. He has been there a long time. I worked for a drapery company. Kent and Betty married on the 30th of January 1987. With their marriage I gained two more grandchildren. Brenda and Eddie. I am glad that they have been a part of my family. Eddie is the first death of the family, other than my husbands.

I moved back to Mesa and lived with LaRue and Harold and with Leon and Jean. I went back to work in the temple. Dottie Vance and I rented a house and shared three different homes in Mesa.

On the 15th of June 1987, Anita was born. in Greenville, Texas, where Larry was working as a civil engineer for an airplane place. I went there and stayed with them to help out with the children. Anita has been special to me ever since and still is. I love her dearly. I pray for her happiness.

On the 8th of August, 1989, John Henry was born. Shandi had been staying with Dottie and me, which she did several Summers, when Bonnie called that John had been born. Bonnie had toxemia and was in serious condition. The doctor sent her to SanDiego hospital by ambulance and they took John early. He only weighed a ltttle over 3 pounds. As soon as he was born, Bonnie was OK. Shandi and I drove to SanDiego in my Honda car, which had no air conditioning. It was a rather hot ride. He was small enough that Emery held him in his hand and he came from Emery's finger tips to his wrist. I have a picture somewhere. You would never know it know it now. He is a big young man.

On the 22 August 1990 I entered the MTC to go to the Washington, Seattle Mission. I served there for one year. I was released on 8th of August 1991 I was in the mission field when Debra was born.

Larry and Jeanette moved from Texas to Denver, where he worked for Martin Marietta. That is where Debra was born, on the first of February 1990. She was a beautiful child. She is a lovely person.

In 1992 I moved to St George. Ina called and said that Henry was seriously sick and she needed help. I left Mesa that day and never returned to Mesa to live. I lived with Ina after Henry died. I met Ward Wilson and we married on the 7th of August 1993, for time only in the St George Temple. On our first anniversary we were in the MTC, going to the Illinois, Chicago Mission. We served there for 14 months. Ward had parkinsons disease and was not able to do the work after that. We were released in October, 1993

On our way home from our mission, we went by to See Kent and Betty, in Longmont and, Larry and Jeanette, in Denver. I remember Ward saying that Debra was the prettiest little girl that he had ever seen.

Our last grandchild, Eric was born in Denver on the 28th of May 1994. That makes 18 grandchildren. That is our heritage. Those who came to our family, hopefully will be ours for all eternity. because all of their families are sealed for eternity and I believe with all my heart that they will all be there, because it it a promise.

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in 1981,on 27th of November, Craig was born. Now Larry and Jeanette have two sons. Larry was working at a shop where they make bedroom sets. He was still going to BYU and Jeanette was doing everything she could to help. She baby sat, sold tupperware and whatever she could to help. They were a growing family.

About this time, our bishop called Arlo and me (Gatha) into his office and ask us to go on a mission. Arlo was a little undecided. We didn't have an income to supply the money to pay for our mission and he didn't want anyone else to pay for it. The bishop said the ward would pay for it. He told the bishop that he would let him know on Tuesday following the Sunday when he ask us. I think it was a difficult decision, but he said, "he had expected his children to accept their mission calls and he couldn't tell them that he had turned his call down." He also knew that I wanted to go, so he told the bishop that we would go. We filled out the papers and when we went for our physical, we were told told that his heart was not healthy enough to go. He was sent to Denver, where he had bypass surgery. The doctor told us that his heart was on the verge of a massive heart attack. He had two more surgeries. One of them was to resew his sternem back as the first scar opened. Then he had bypass into his legs. I don't remember how long all of this took us.

Several months before our call, I was working at the Conejos County Library, I was asked if I would be interested in purchasing a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Insurance. I decided to take it. I offered 100% coverage. The agent told me that he didn't know how they could offer me this policy, He worked for them and could only get 90%. This policy paid 100% of the bills for all three surgeries were completed, and when they were over, I was called to the county again and was told that they didn't know how I got that policy. After the time for healing and being ready, Arlo got Social Security, which paid for our mission. It was a time of miracles as far as I am concerned. The Lord made it possible for us to serve a mission. We entered the MTC on the 29th of September 1982, on Arlo, (our grandson)'s 2nd birthday. That night we received a phone call from Larry and Jeanette that Jeanette's father had died.

Our mission was a very special time for Arlo and me. We enjoyed the work and had a good time growing together. We got home on September 10th 1983.

Brian was born while we were on our mission. He was born on the 9th of July 1983. We saw him for the first time when we went to Provo for Thanksgiving.

All of our family went to Provo, to spend Thanksgiving with Larry and Jeanette. That was a special time. Gloria said that Arlo told Donnie how much he loved him. That was a thing that he did very seldom. Talking about his feelings was not easy for him. That was the last time all of us were all together as a family. Arlo died on the 7th of December 1983.

The next Summer Larry and Jeanette and their family came to Manassa, from Provo and spent the summer with me and were a big help to me. Larry built cupboards in my kitchen and it was fun to have the there. I wish I had a better memory.

Monica was born in 1984. She was born in Fallbrook, California. She was a beautiful little girl. Bonnie and Emery now had Shandi, Emery J. and little Monica. She is my eleventh grandchild.

Julie was born the next summer on the 7th of May 1985. Larry and Jeanette had been in school ever since they were married. Now it was time to move on. Jeanette had graduated from BYU earlier and now Larry graduated with a masters degree in civil engineering. They had four children and it was time to find work.

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Bonnie and Emery were married on November 11, 1978 in California. Bonnie had been living with Ina and Henry in California. She met Emery at a singles dance and he began coming to see her and they were married. On 23 August 1979, Shandi was born. I went to California to be with Bonnie and help take care of the baby. She was the first one to be born out of Colorado. Emery was so pleased with Shandi. She was a sweet child and I am so glad that she is my granddaughter.

Larry and Jeanette were married on the 15th of December, 1979. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Their wedding was special. They had a reception in Utah and one in Manassa. Jeanette's parents came to colorado and stayed with us for the reception. That was nice.

They were living in Provo, Utah where both of the them attended BYU. until Jeanette graduated. James Arlo was born on 29th of September 1980, in Provo. Arlo is a very special person and I have always admired him. One time I went to Provo and stayed with them for a few days and I pulled him around in the wagon that his dad made for him. He cried when I went home. I have always felt bad that I didn't live closer to all of the grandchildren.

Emery J. was the next grandchild. He was born on the 1st of December 1980. Bonnie and Emery were living in Torrance, California when he was born. Bonnie wanted me to come and help her with Shandi. He was expected so close to Christmas that I tried to talk Arlo into going with me, but he said no, so I said that I wouldn't go and leave him home alone for Christmas. Arlo decided to go with me. That is one of the times that he and I had a wonderful time together. Emery J. came a little early so by the time we got there, he was about 10 days old. We had Christmas with them. Bonnie and Emery took us to San Diego to Sea world and Wild Animal park and to Lancaster to see Ina and Loyd and family. On the way home they drove us to Provo to see Larry and Jeanette and Arlo, who was 3 months old. We flew home from Salt Lake. That was nice to see three of our grandchildren, Shandi, Emery J. and Arlo. Also to spend time with Bonnie and Emery and Larry and Jeanette.

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Where have the years gone?

I dearly loved my cousins in Manassa. It was good to share our lives with one another.

If I had run into EJ on the street, nose to nose, I'm afraid that I wouldn't have known him, but when I saw his boys, each of them bears his father's mark.

I used to love it when EJ would come into the Filling station in Manassa. Dad would give him a soda and a sack of peanuts. He would sit in the old desks in the station and swing his feet as he drank his pop.

I went on a mission and away to school. EJ and his family moved to Arizona. I don't think I saw him more than once or twice in the years that followed. Many years later, when I was in Arizona to visit my Mother, EJ and his wife took me in for the night and made me feel welcome.

Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid and was uneasy about the diagnosis. I was grateful when EJ reached out offer his support. It was so good to talk to him, and how I yearned for those simpler times in my life. Alas, we can't turn the clock back.

I was excited today when I saw Doris Faye and some of her family on Facebook. That's where I pulled the picture above. I am hoping that although we can't go back in time, we'll be able to rekindle some of the relationships that we hold dear.

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Danette was the next grandchild. She was born on the 30th of August, 1970. She was always a wonderful granddaughter.

It was so much fun to have two sweet little girls. They lived in Alamosa and we lived in Manassa, so we saw them often. It was fun to watch them grow and to be loved and enjoyed by them.

Arlo loved his little girls. It was fun to watch them together. I think grandchildren are a blessing to grandparents. I think they can enjoy them in a way that raising your children, you don't have time to cherish them in the same way grandparents do.
Cory was next in the line of grandchildren. We were pleased to have a grandson. He was born on 15 of June 1972. Trying to write about them is difficult, because you can't express the feelings you have for each of them in a way it would be good for them to know just how precious they are.

When these sweet children were small, Gloria had migraine headaches about every three months. She would be in bed for two or three days and I would go stay with them until Gloria was able to take care of them. Those headaches were so hard on her. It was a great blessing when she outgrew them.

kent and Phyllis were married in 1973 and Andrea Kay was born on on the 11 of October 1974. That is the anniversary of my mom's death. It was good to have something special happen on that day. Andrea was a beautiful baby and has ever been full of love.

Next came Robert Kent. He was born on 20th of February 1976. Phyllis had toxemia before Robert was born, so I went and stayed with them for 2 weeks because Phyllis was confined to bed. Robert was special to me and still is.

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If I remember more things of the school years, I'll go back. I was thankful that Don chose to go on a mission, but I pushed too hard and he didn't feel ready. It is good to let children be more responsible for their decisions, as they get old enough. I wish at times I could go back and be a wiser mother.

I mentioned before that Arlo and I were sealed in the Mesa Temple. That was the happiest day of my life. I will forever be thankful for that blessing. Now it is up to all of us to make that eternal. When my mom died my dad said that if there was nothing to the power of the sealing, it would be a great blessing, because of the peace it gives when one is gone on before. I know by the Spirit that those sealings are from our Heavenly Father. It is a great blessing to know that families can be together forever. My prayer is that every member of our family will work toward that blessing, that we may all be prepared for that. I also believe that living the principles of the Gospel, makes for a happy life here and now.

Don came home from his mission and right away was ready to find a wife. I'll forever be thankful for the choice he made. Gloria is a special part of our family. He was married to Gloria Culler in the Mesa Arizona Temple, on the 28th of September 1968. They have been together for many years. They have survived many trials and have grown from them, as all of us do.

It was in natural order that Marcy Lynn was born. Warren and Helen came from Farmington to be with them when the baby came. Don had worked for the phone company ever since he returned from his mission. He was working on a crew that worked out of town some of the time. He was In San Luis, with the person he was working with. Gloria was ready to have the baby and they couldn't find Donnie. They called the hotel here they were staying and they said they had checked out the night before. They called Arlo and me and we drove to San Luis and went to the hotel where they were supposed to be and they told us the same thing, that they had checked out the night before. We didn't know what to do. We drove around town to see if we could find their truck. We gave up and started home, when we saw a car from the phone company and stopped him. He said for us to follow him. He came to see what had happened to his crew. He went to the hotel and demanded to see the room where they had been staying and there they were in the bed. Marcy was born, before Donnie got home, but all was well.

Marcy was our first grandchild, she was born on the 24th of July 1969 in the Alamosa Hospital. She is the first grandchild for Warren and Helen, too. She gave us a good start. It is wonderful, the way a family grows. She is small but mighty. I do love that girl.

When Marcy was old enough for them to take her to Farmington to show her off to Gloria's family, they had a car accident. They hit a bridge abutment and it threw all three of them out of the car. Gloria was thrown a long way and had many cuts and bruises. Don didn't seem to have any serious problems. Marcy was in a car bed. The bed went out with her in it. She got a cut on her finger and that seemed to be all. That was one of the miracles of our family that all of them survived. It destroyed the car that Gloria had worked for. Life goes on. I am thankful for that.

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A lot of things happened through the years that my children were in their school days. A lot of things were going on, but because I wasn't involved in many of the things, I didn't know much.

Everyone had their friends I'm sure I don't know all of them. Donnie had Freddie Holman, Eddie Holland, I can't think, Don, you add, if you like. Kent had Eddie Holland and I think he liked his cousins best. Bonnie had Her cousins, Nancy, Delores, Jill, and Ramona McGinnis, Janice Johnson, Larry had Robert Sorensen, Irene, Jeff Horton and Larry Dean White. My memory is gone.

There were school proms, church dances, wrestling matches, football and basketball games. Life was busy and full. We had family reunions, Then came the missions and college and many other things. Donnie played football for a season. Larry wrestled. Bonnie belonged to the cheerleaders. Kent worked in the school library.

I was busy with church callings. I was on the Relief Society Stake Board for 7 years. I was on the Primary Stake Board for seven years also. I went into Salt Lake City for the meetings for each that were held before General Conference. I had the privilege of staying for General Conference each time I went.

After Donnie graduated from high school, he went to college for one quarter. That wasn't his thing. Next came his mission.

Kent graduated and went on his mission. He came back and went to Adams State. Then came the Army for him. I think one of the best times for him was when he was in college. There was a group of them that had a lot of fun. I'll write more later.

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The week that my car, that had been Elma and Boyd's burned, Larry had a terrible mishap. He was working at a service station, a part of a school program, He was trying to take the steering wheel off his car, for some unknown reason and I called to tell him to hurry home or he would be late for Grandpa Dunn's funeral. A short time later Gordon Dean came to the mortuary and said Larry had been in a car accident and was in the hospital, which was by the place where the accident happened. Larry did not put the screws back in the steering wheel and it came off in his hands. The car was hit broadside by Mr and Mrs Zinn and their baby (Troy, Marcy's husband) and Mrs Zinn was in the hospital also. Arlo and I were in a state of shock. We didn't know if we should go to the funeral or the hospital. I called the hospital and talked to Doctor Thomas. He said Larry has cuts and bruises and some broken ribs, but he will be alright, so go to the funeral. Larry had cuts on his throat by his jugular vein, but he as OK.

Kent Had an accident on the way to Colorado Springs, after the funeral, where he was stationed in the Army. He was on the east side of Wolf Creel Pass, almost to walsenburg. Kent called Arlo but he wasn't at the station. Ronnie Nite went to see how he was and take him where he needed to go and I didn't even know anything about it until Ronnie had already gone. I was really upset that they didn't give me a chance to go to see how he was. His car was in a garage in Walsenburg until it was repaired. The insurance that Kent had on the car sent a check to pay the damage, but the man at the garage would not accept the check, so Kent had to go back again with the money to pay for the car. I went with him, the man was not going to accept the money either. I was so aggravated at the man. Kent told him to take the money or the car. He then said take your car. I told the man that he was not an honest man. I embarrassed Kent. He had been afoot for quite a while and needed the car. He made three trips to pick it up. Kent, please, add some of the things about your accident.

That was three cars in three days. Kent got his back. Mine was ruined. Larry's was as bad as a car could be and he got out of it alive. I think there is a picture of it somewhere.


I got a long way ahead of my story. After we went to the temple, the missions, began. Donnie went to a Central American Mission. He served in several countries. I would like for each of you to tell us (in this history), some things about your missions.

Kent went to Mexico on his mission. Bonnie went to Idaho on her mission and Larry went to Argentina. Arlo and I went to Arizona, Holbrook for our mission. After Arlo died I went to Seattle Washington and after I married Ward, we went to Chicago, North. Our missions were a wonderful part of our lives. Please each one of you tell about your missions.

Before these things happened, The Manassa High School was joined with LaJara, in a new school building, South of LaJara. The School was called Centauri. Donnie and Kent and Bonnie all graduated from Centauri High school. Larry was a senior. Donnie had played football and broke his shoulder and wasn't able to play anymore. All of my children were smarter than I was in school. Kent was working in the school library and they were combining an old library in Capulin and had duplicate books. Kent brought several boxes of books home. There were some of the classics.

I was helping Arlo in the garage, because all of his helpers were busy at other things. The books that Kent brought home were such good books and as I helped in the garage, I read most of the books. I enjoyed working at the garage with Arlo. I think that was the best time we had together. We really enjoyed each other. Well, our mission was also a great time.

I'm not sure the order of things. I'm just telling things as they come to my mind. Not necessarily in the time they happened.

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My children and I went on several trips. Arlo had to work and never was able to go with us. We went several times to Los Alamos, where Keith and Erma lived. A few times my sisters, Doris Faye, LaRue and Barbara and their children went at the same time. We went to Bandalier Indian Ruins, the Laboratories where they worked on the atomic bomb. Keith worked in one of the places were they did some kind of scientific research. That was always fun.

My dad, Ted Bingham worked in LosAlamos when they were working on the atomic bomb. Of course he didn't know what was going on there. He would work away from home in the winter, sometimes, when the farm work was done. and the boys could take care of the farm. Mom sometimes took him to work, so she had the car. At other times he rode with someone else. At that time there was not a very well finished road up the mountain and it was a scary ride. There was a gate at the entrance where nobody could pass, without a pass. I never went with them to LosAlamos then, because I stayed home to keep the house and whatever I had to do.

When we went up to visit Keith and Erma, Keith or Erma had to come to the gate and sign a pass, so we could go in. The gate was there for many years. It is no longer there.

We also went to Pueblo and visited with Nona and her children. One time we went in the VW pickup and it stalled and we had to find a ride home. Tom Rogers brought the pickup home in one of his trucks.

Arlo was pretty good about our little mishaps. I guess he was accustomed to our car problems. Sometimes we went through cars like women go through hosiery. I never had a car of for my use after our little Plymouth car was no longer usable, until Arlo bought Elma and Boyd's used car. It was short lived. Doris Faye took it to Alamosa to get some things for Grandpa Dunn's funeral and the car caught fire and that was the end of my car. I only had Arlo's pickup or one of my children's cars. I don't think I can even name all of the cars we wore out or wrecked.

Our Christmas' were special times. We had a hardwood floor, that had to be waxed and polished by hand. It was beautiful when it was polished. When Arlo and I married, he had never really celebrated Christmas the way we always did. He didn't think we needed a Christmas tree. I told him that when the time came that I didn't have a Christmas tree, he would know that I was too old. I have always had a tree. His family were very poor and didn't buy Christmas presents. Arlo learned to love Christmas. One of the traditions that we had was on Christmas Eve. we did the story of the birth of Christ and after had a family testimony meeting. Everyone didn't have to bear testimony, but everyone told of their love for each other and how special our family was. I believe that is one of the things that helped Arlo gain a testimony of the Gospel. He loved Christmas. He would sit in his chair by the fire and watch the lights on our beautiful tree. It shone on the floor where the floor was polished.

Arlo loved beautiful things. He was really interested in Bonnie Lynn's ballet concerts. He would watch an opera on television. He loved good music. Those are things that helped me to know how deep and sweet his feelings were for good thing.

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Time all runs together, There are so many things to remember. Kent has talked may times about Aunt Lori and I, taking Him, Don, Mitch and Mike to Aspen Glade to spend some time in the mountains, To this day I can't figure out why I was so foolish to take you to the mountains when you were so young, without supervision. The stories get better with time. I think that is what Larry meant when he said He didn't remember going to Denver and the things that happened. Memory of the same things are different in different minds. If several people tell a story about the same experience there can be, three different stories. I hope the things that I have told are good memories.

When Arlo and I were married, I was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Arlo was baptized, but knew nothing about the church and didn't care to be involved. For several years, it was difficult for me to get to church, but as you children grew old enough to go to Primary I made up my mind that you would be thaught and raised as I had been, in a very active situation. I began taking you to church and trying to teach you all that I could. Arlo's interest was in hunting and fishing. Sometimes we went to the mountains with him and all of us enjoyed that. Sunday was the only day Arlo had off work so he had his interests and I had mine. After we moved to Manassa, he did go to church with us sometimes. There began to be more interest. When Don was reaching mission age I was very anxious to be able to go to the temple with Arlo and our children. We were going to a cottage meeting each Monday night, where several men and their families were being prepared to go to the temple. I was afraid that if we didn't go before our children were out of the home, we may not be able to go all together. I fasted for 2 days a week for nearly a year to have that great blessing. The ward was planning a temple excursion. Elma was teaching a temple preperation class. Arlo was interested. He had tried to live the word of wisdom, but it was hard for him. When the time came and he didn't mentiuon going, I was anxious. Two days before the time to go he came to me and ask me if we could be ready to go. I believe that was the happiest time of my life. We did go and Don got his endowment at the same time that Arlo and I got ours and we were sealed as a family. I will forever be thankful for that blessing.

For several years I went into General Conference. I was on the Stake Relief Society Board and at that time, there was a Relief Society Conference several days before General Conference. I went for seven years with the Relief Society and was later changed to the Stake Primary Board. I still got to go to Salt Lake. The Relief Society Conferenes were held at Fall conference time and the Primary Conference was held in the Spring. I went to Primary Conference for seven years.
The church discontinued those special conferences. All together I went for fourteen years.

Arlo used to tell me that I didn't cook fish right. one year when I got home from Salt Lake,one of you tokd me that Dad didn't know how to cook fish either.

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