What Goes Around Comes Around

After doing some hiking in the Grand Canyon, Bonnie and I decided to spend Easter Sunday with our Son Steve and his family who live in Chandler, AZ.  Steve is currently serving as bishop of his ward in Chandler and spoke in sacrament meeting.  After the meeting, I was approached by a man who introduced himself as Brother Miner and asked if I remembered him. Unfortunately I didn't but he then began to praise our mom, Elaine, as one of the finest people he had ever known.  It turns out that Brother Miner had served in the Bishopric with Bishop Stevens (?) in the Valley View Sixth Ward after I had moved away and wanted me to know how special he and his wife, other members of the bishopric, and the whole ward thought our mom was.  In addition, Sister Miner was apparently a young women's adviser to Caralee and Cindy though now she is mostly home bound with health problems, especially suffering with migraine headaches.

Now mom's grandson Bishop Steve,  has the opportunity to stop by the Miner home and visit with the two of them and to be of service, which they greatly appreciate.

John,  April 11, 2012

Christmas Message 2002W

We have had this message on our refrigerator since 2002. We love it. Dan & Sandra Haymore

More Depth---

During my last year of junior high school, I needed help with a meaningful birthday gift for my friend Dave.  Dave was a worldly and bright guy and though I wanted to provide the optimum gift, I didn't want it to be a 'Mormon Gift' since Dave wasn't one.  I had already tried to have him read the Book of Mormon but he had complained that when he got to the part about Lehi 'dwelling in a tent' he started laughing and couldn't quit so that was the end of his experience with the Book of Mormon.

I had no confidence that mom would be able to help me since in my mind she was all about family and church, church and family.  What would she know of the world of clever people let alone what a worthy gift would be for one of their elite?  Out of desperation I asked her advice anyway, prefacing the request that it not be some LDS religious book.  Her recommendation was thus:  THE PROPHET, by Kahlil Gibran.  I knew most of the presidents of the Church and had read scriptures enough times that I knew Gibran wasn't one of those prophets but otherwise I had no clue.

In the end, I took mom's advice, purchased the a fore mentioned book and read it myself prior to wrapping it up.  I enjoyed it and Dave seemed to place the book in the 'more than acceptable gift category' which was important to me at the time.  My most vivid memory of the event was that I gained a better appreciation of mom.  She was all about family and church, church and family but she was so by choice, not by default.

Remembered June 5, 2011  John Haymore

Chicken Ranch by Daniel Haymore

Dear Family,

I would like to take a moment to compliment Valerie on her great idea for a Goggle Blog site on our mother Alsina Elaine Holbrook Haymore. No matter what I do in life, sister Valerie remains one step ahead. The material found in this Elaine blog is first rate and I feel some pressure to measure up. I hope my children will contribute to this blog as others have.

I would like to write concerning what I remember about the early years and in particular the "chicken ranch" on 6400 South in Salt Lake City. I hope that upon reading my blog both Valerie and Gloria will feel free to clarify and enhance what I have written because it was a long time ago. The picture above is from that era 1944 through about 1946. It was clear to me from an early age that Mom was and is a very pretty lady. I remember many references to that fact and can still hear people in my mind saying, "Oh, are these children all yours? You don't look old enough to have all these children." Such comments would embarrass Mom and she would show a little color while answering.

The chicken ranch on 6400 South was a kid's paradise. I thought it was a huge place but it turns out to be only about three or four acres. I don't remember the picture on the right when it was taken by Dad but Mom says we were awakened early and plunked down in the hay. The chicken ranch was one happy place and we three children were totally unaware that the egg business was not paying the bills. In my mind it was always summer. I think I was allowed to freely roam the place including the neighbors places. The pigs were my favorite and I spent a lot of time observing them through the fence. I remember the chickens were all white and not nearly as fun as the other animals. We had a cow but I do not remember that animal at all. There were other creatures. I learned you could turn over a scrap piece of lumber and find a toad nesting underneath. I had no problem picking up toads and scaring sisters.

We had our own "trikes" and I used mine to haul Gloria in a cart and visit the neighbors.Mom tells the story that the neighbor had a big dog that would chase me and Gloria home from our visits and I would peddle like crazy to save us. I would arrive home in a state of great agitation. Our travel about town was by jeep. Dad had overhauled the engine in a war surplus army jeep (which engine I remember being out of the jeep and hanging from our tree with a block and tackle) and we went everywhere in that outfit. I thought the back of the jeep where we resided was a big area but it turns out we were cramped. One time while we were in the back of the jeep waiting for Dad to emerge from a feed store some mean neighbor kids came up and proceeded to terrorize us. I remember taking cover on the floor of the jeep trying to get distance from them. Dad took forever coming out of the store and by then the little gang had broken the jeep side window. Instead of comfort, Dad left us to go find the offending kids.

Dad did not have a tractor but the neighbors did. I recall riding on the step of that tractor when we borrowed it. You could look down and see the road go by. I mention this as a humorous contrast to our present day and age where seat belts, airbags, and other safety measures abound and a ticket or worse awaits those who don't comply.

In those days both parents sang songs both at home and on the road. Dad would sing a popular radio song of which I know not the title but the words were "does your Spearmint loose it's flavor on the bedpost overnight....yadda, yadda." They would both sing You Are My Sunshine. I think I remember Mom and her sisters singing Clementine at a Holbrook Reunion. I know I heard them sing Utah We Love Thee. I liked the cowboy song Big Rock Candy Mountain and later in another home my parents bought me that record. Whenever a Meadow Lark would sing it's song Mom would tell me it's singing "Danny's a good little boy." I love that idea and so do our children who pass that on to their children. Keep it going!

We were a church going family and I liked wearing my sailor suit to church. I remember long arms pulling me out from under the bench as I made my escapes. Dad played for and coached the Ward M-Men basketball team where he was one of the stars. I would go to practices and sit on a chair for what seemed like a week. I was interrupted one time when a loose ball took me off the chair. I got a lot of attention from the players until I stopped spouting tears.

You have seen the movie To Kill A Mockingbird?

We dressed like that.

Married Life written by Elaine in 2002

Arnold and I met on a winter night during a snow storm that knocked down the power lines. Our blind date had been arranged and he had come over to "check me out." My mother brought in a lighted candle and introductions were made. It was rather romantic. As we became acquainted during the next months, we found mutual attraction enhanced by our united love of the gospel and desire to be the parents of many children. We were married on December 21, 1938 in the Salt Lake Temple by President Chipman and surrounded by loved ones. A delicious wedding luncheon at the Salt Lake home of Raymond and Esther preceded our return to Provo to a lovely reception at the home of my parents.

A basement apartment near BYU became our honeymoon nest and we both returned to school, me to finish my freshman year of college and Arnold his sophomore year. We left school early to go to Arizona where Arnold had a desire to invest the money left him by the death of his father (earlier) and get on with the serious business of living!


After a summer with Arnold's mother in Douglas and searching for an investment in Tucson, we moved to Los Angeles and invested in an apartment building recommended by Arnold's Uncle Millard Haymore. This new apartment was nice with six rentals and located on the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue (near USC). Arnold took various jobs of carpentry and finally became a gear cutter at Pacific Gear Co. This was a happy time especially after the friendly oasis we found in Arlington Ward. I taught the nursery class there. I discovered our bishop, Lyman H. Robison, to be a gynecologist and fertility expert and visited him often. Arnold and I longed for those children! Finally after three long years, the dream came true and beautiful, brown-eyed curly headed Valerie was born January 12, 1942. I could almost count that date as my birthday, too, because I then truly began to live! Our dear friend Dr. Robison delivered Valerie and he was almost as happy as were Arnold and I. The doctor told me later he really didn't think we could have children but he worked hard to help us.

About this time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and our country entered World War 2. I remember one scary night during the blackout, with unidentified planes soaring overhead, I suddenly realized our vulnerability in living on the west coast, and thought of our Valerie's safety. Arnold kept his job at Pacific as gears were needed for the war planes. We moved to a simply darling home in Lynwood near Arnold's work. Here Arnold hobbied in rabbits, chickens, turkeys, garden, etc. Valerie loved the fenced in yard and animals. I liked the pretty new home with hand-painted pictures on the living room walls.

The blessings began to pour in as we realized that Daniel was coming to us in March, just 14 months younger than his sister. Shortly before his birth, we moved to Salt Lake City and lived on Hyland Drive at 4687 South. While Arnold engaged in the chicken and egg business, Elaine produced Daniel, March 22, 1943. From birth, Danny excelled. He crawled at seven months and walked at nine. He was so happy to be alive and his daddy said he was too good to be a boy. With much enjoyed help from the Holbrook grandparents, we moved along. Dan's aged great-grandmother Holbrook was so fond of him and father brought her out to see and enjoy him, her youngest great-grandson. Darling Gloria came to us on December 27, 1944, born at home. So much joy with this third one who really was the easiest and a child of great promises, many already fulfilled. Christmas brought bouncing horses (not rocking) made by their creative daddy of bent metal frames. Valerie and Danny bounced around the house on their chargers and thought their dad better than Santa Claus! Five of us around the kitchen table assured we were a growing family. The Holladay ward found us present each Sunday. I taught MIA young women here.

The draft finally did call on Arnold and he left for his physical.  Miraculously he was rejected and returned home determined to increase his egg business to full-time employment.  That is when we moved to our three acre farm at 1827 E 6400 S.  The soil here was pure gold and again with Grandpa's help we had a wonderful garden of strawberries, peas, corn.  My mouth waters to remember.  Several large apple trees provided climbing for the children, picking for Elaine, and pies for Arnold.  Arnold even brought home piglets who were forever slipping out and running over the neighborhood while Arnold was away.  It became a familiar sight to see Elaine and the three little ones running after those piglets!

It was here that Valerie's story about climbing high in the tree, being attacked by ants, and eventually being rescued by her Mom after Dan finally reported it, took place.  One day a frightened, pale two-year old Dan came tearing in to tell his mother that the neighbor's horse smoked!  It actually had snorted and pranced.  Dan loved to ride his tricycle with baby Gloria perched in the little red byke trailer his  Dad had made.  One day he cried "Mom, help PeeDee (his name for Gloria).  Big Kitty-kat going to get her!"   Sure enough a baby kitty was perched in the little trailer, being petted by Gloria.

These were busy years for me as a mother who also buffed hundreds of eggs, separated the cream and washed the separator with its numerous parts, sold the same to home customers, learned to garden, etc.  Baby John came to us on November 8, 1946, so welcome and loved by his three siblings and parents.  Now we were six.  My sister Vera made simply darling clothes for the little ones who proudly wore them to church at Cottonwood Ward.  I remember little red corduroy coats for the girls and blue for the boys, as well as matching dresses and pants.

Valerie and Danny contracted rheumatic feber and many prayers and doctor visits, bed rest, and pasteurized milk commenced.  They both had heart murmurs but the prayers were answered and no lasting infirmities resulted.  Removing tonsils and the recent miracle of penicillin lessened the strep throat attacks.  The 2000 leghorns also became ill with Coccidiosis and died in great numbers.  Arnold finally sold the remaining chickens as well as our farm and we moved in with my parents on 1448 Browning Avenue.

The grandparents were wonderful!  Forgetting their own comfort in their later years, they loved, taught, worked for and enjoyed their four Haymore grandchildren.  The children formed attachments and love and gained lasting values from these strong, caring, spiritual grandparents.  We planned to stay only until finding another home but the months stretched into two years.  To ease the tension, my parents increased time with their older children, helping with new arrivals, illnesses, and more as was their custom.  Wasatch Ward welcomed us.  Valerie and Danny attended Uintah grade school, first grade and kindergarten respectively.

It was here on Browning Avenue that all of our children caught chicken pox and baby John became very seriously ill.  With his life in the balance, he was taken to the hospital for several weeks and with the help of modern miracles of science and caring doctors, he recovered.  We could not visit as he was in the contagious ward and when he finally returned to his family, he kept his eyes on me, watching my every move.  His lips quivered if I moved out of his sight (no cries) so I didn't.  We were so glad to be reunited once again!  Knowing that Douglas was joining us next September comforted and sustained me through this trying time.  Somehow I knew this next baby carried the message that all is well.  Douglas still sends this message.  He was a contented, happy baby, blest by spending his early months with his choice grandparents as well as his loving family.  We finally did move to Aunt Ada's converted (by Arnold) garage apartment and it was heaven to have a home again.

With seven in this small place, we decided to build a roomy house on the adjoining lot.  This really was home!  Sylvia was born soon after we moved in here, 1656 E 3350 S in 1950.  Petite Sylvia with the twinkling eyes and dancing toes!  Wilford Ward on Hyland Drive was within walking distance.  In all of our wards so far, I taught in Jr. Sunday School and Primary which was then held on a week day.  I cherish those experiences, learning of Jesus with the little ones really is near to Heaven.

Bruce came next, just 2 1/2 years after Sylvia.  He was a healthy happy baby weighing 9 1/2 pounds at birth.  But at three weeks he caught developed bronchitis from his siblings and Dr. Egan visited us often.  How happy we were to have him all better by Christmas, our best gift.  He was the perfect baby Jesus in our annual Christmas play of the nativity with Valerie as Mary, Dan as Joseph, Gloria and John as wisement, Doug and Sylvia as shepherds.  The Holbrook grandparents loved this play and were present whenever possible.  My father suggested we do this each Christmas time and it became a tradition.

I find I measure my life in terms of babies, not days and years.  Beautiful and dainty Rosalee joined us next.  With her white hair and blue blue eyes, she looked so darling in the pretty bonnet her cousin Jane Anderson sent.  How we loved and enjoyed our "Rosie."  Bruce was her special friend and her older sisters loved to "doll her up" and play with her.  She was the good-natured baby when she, Valerie, and I went to California to visit my sisters there, see Huntington library and other sites.  We enjoyed the scenery from the top of City of Los angeles train on our return home.  When about four months pregnant with Rosalee, I had broken my foot and wore a heavy cat clear to my knee until shortly before her birth.  I felt so blest to have that cast off and then baby Rosalee's arrival.

At this time our dear friend, Marge Sandberg, lost her fourth baby and we longed to comfort her.  She sometimes tended our children and that must have been difficult for her.  She did have one child, John Wayne.  Marge and Wayne were dear friends through the years and though they have been gone for sometime, I still miss them.  We enjoyed close friendships with other neighbors - Emerys, Curreys, Smiths, Berentzens, Aunt Ada and her girls, Sewells, Swensons, and many more.  Sewells and Brother Berentzen are the only original neighbors now left on our street.  It has come full circle, though, as new neighbors with precious young families have purchased the homes of the elderly.  Once again the neighborhood rings with happy childhood laughter.  Joe and I are still living in the old family home with its precious memories.  We find ourselves reluctant to leave.

Joseph came in October, 1971.  His large eyes seemed to penetrate and he was happy to be a part of his adoring family.  So huggable and loveable and agreeable.  Jose just seemed to "fit in."  He was glad when his brother David arrived two years later and the two brothers became buddies.  Our home rang with the refrain "Davy, Davy Crockett (Squawket, sand his dad) king of the Haymore house."  Actually, I doubt a better-natured, loving, well adjusted baby hs ever graced this earth.  He was pure joy and bubbled with laughter.  As David was number ten in our family, some called him our tithing child.  Marge Sandberg even gave a baby shower for him, declaring that anyone who had ten children deserved new baby supplies!  With the warmth of his buddy Joe, Dave blossomed and bloomed and was delighted to be a part of the Haymore home.  His large penetrating eyes, like his brother Joe's, took everything in and it was hard to imagine life without our Davy.

But our "tithing child" was not the end, thank goodness!  Once more our hearts opened wide to Carolee, born in the hospital while her mother was alone and the nurse had hurried off to find Dr. Preston!  But not alone.  As with each birth, I again felt the Lord's presence and help to see that this precious one arrived safely.  what a comfort and joy this beautiful daughter with the long dark lashes and blue eyes was to me.  A couple of pints of blood helped my recovery and we came home to her admiring siblings.  I was so grateful and blest with my Carolee.  She buoyed me up over some dark clouds of life.  We thought to name her Carol but I felt her beauty needed a little extra recognition so added Lee, Carolee.  My mother was declining, so baby Carolee and I used to visit with her while the rest of the family were in Sunday School.  We did not enter her room but sat in the doorway.  Carolee's grandma loved her and enjoyed her.  She predicted that Carolee would be a great help and comfort to me.  This proved true many times.

Valerie took leave from BYU and helped me the next year, as well as worked for Granite School District.  She was like a second mother to baby Carolee. That year Valerie gave lovely Christmas presents to us all.  I treasured that warm and just the right shade of blue fur (actually synthetic) coat for many years and see it now in memory.  Two years later, Cynthia came.  Lovely brown-eyed Cynthia.  She reminded me of a flower (the hyacinth) and so Cynthia became her name.  She later shortened this to Cyndi.  As Joe and Dave were buddies, soon Carolee and Cyndi became inseparable, each blest to have the other.  It reminded me of my own precious sisterhood while growing up.  We were still sending students to Libby Edwards where they learned and thrived.

I had a miscarriage a year or so after Cyndi and so I thought she might turn out to be the baby of our family, just as I was in mine.  I loved and cared for her with this possibility in mind and she was pure joy.  But, thank goodness, that was not the plan.  Three years later, Mark arrived, number 13.  He was our crowning joy.  Although Mark was a healthy happy baby, at one month old he did not seem to be thriving as he should.  My prayers regarding this were answered in an interesting way.  One day we had unexpected company.  Mark's Grandpa Holbrook, Uncle Delbert Groberg, and one other uncle arrived.  I found the oil and they administered to Mark.  From that time on, he thrived!  He grew to be the tallest in the family, I think about six feet.  Well, it is a tie between Mark and Dan, the youngest and the oldest, both tall and handsome.  Mark has his Dad's brown eyes and dark hair, while Dan is blue-eyed and blonde.  The boys are all handsome but vary in height.

Our first missionary, Dan, was serving in Scotland when Mark came to us and in Mark's growing-up years Dan was in school, married, and in graduate school.  So they were not too well acquainted.  There are twenty-two years between my oldest child, Valerie, and my youngest, Mark.  Twenty-two wonderful years!  As near to heaven as a mother can come while here on earth.  All of my sons served missions and attended university.  All of my daughters also attended university and all have become mothers.

The boys were fortunate to learn carpentry skills by working with their dad during their growing-up years, while the girls became proficient at cooking, sewing, music, office work, housework.  Twelve of the children attended bYU and most graduated in their chosen fields.  Douglas graduated from the University of Utah after five years in engineering.  With their working skills, the children seemed to easily work their way through the universities with scholarships and grants, helping each other, receiving little financial aid from parents.  Valerie specialized in education, Dan became an orthodontist, Gloria a school teacher, John a dentist, Sylvia an educator, Bruce a contractor, Rosalee emphasized survival education, Joe predental, David dental, Carolee and Cyndi with associate degrees, Mark a CPA and MBA.  Temple marriages followed in the Salt Lake Temple and Los Angeles Temple.  These years were productive and busy. 

After the marriages of Valerie, Daniel, Gloria, John, Douglas, Sylvia, and when our youngest, Mark was nine years old, Arnold and I completed our necessary divorce.  He moved to Arizona and remarried while I entered the world of work as a single mother with seven still in the nest.

Western Rivers, the world's largest river running company, played a big part in our lives.  Owned and operated by our good friends, Jack and Betty Currey, it soon became the place of employment for many of the Haymores.  I was a receptionist and secretary to Jack and it was kind of fun to talk to people in countries all over the world who were choosing to include this trip in their itinerary of U.S. travels.  Having been on Colorado River trips, Moab, Greenriver myself, I was honestly enthusiastic in promoting these trips.  The office was on Highland Drive, about two blocks away from our home and I could vary my hours of work a little when necessary, thanks to Betty and Jack.  This company was growing rapidly and work was plentiful.  Joe and Dave became helpers on the river and then boatmen.  Carolee and Cyndi were office workers, mailing thousands of brochures, answering phones, making stencils, addressing mail and more while also attending Olympus High.  Rosalee and Sylvia worked when time allowed from BYU and even Mark became the occasional office boy.  He mostly worked on the yard, stuffed brochures, ran errans.  Having the children at work with me did much to soothe the single parent dilemma of choosing between work and being fulltime mother at home.  We were saddened when Jack and Betty divorced and eventually left the company although it is still operating with different owners.

My next job was with a construction company, Lundell Homes.  I mostly answered phones, listened to grievances, took messages.  I looked forward to the end of the day, coming home and playing badmintor with Carolee, Cyndi, and Mark.  But in a year or two this company folded.  Next I worked for three attorneys in the Carriage House of the McCune Mansion.  I was hired by a friend, Jim Baker.  Here I did much typing, telephoning.  I fit in well as my brother Raymond was a lawyer and I was slightly familiar with the terms.  After two years these attorneys split up and moved and Jim suggested I try the Church Office building for work.

I am glad I did that as with proficiency in typing, I was immediately accepted and the rest of my working years were spent in the this employment.  Here I learned much, felt security, and was treated well.  First I worked in Information Systems (19th floor) and learned word processing programs and typed and typed and typed for the department.  After several years it became apparent that the new simplified and reliable word processors, less help was needed from secretaries.  I hated to leave my many friends there but eventually accepted a job with the Auditing Department on the 16th floor.  This was a step up in pay as well as classification.  These auditors were delightful to work with and our friendships are still acknowledged when we meet, usually in the Salt Lake Temple.  The auditors traveled to the worldwide Church institutions and brought their reports home for the secretaries to type.  I worked until my 74th year, with the last two or three years being a temporary employee, 22 years in all of outside employment.

Although I knew the good steady employment was a blessing to me and the children, my strength, energy, and time were inevitably often needed in both places.  We did receive a couple of days each month as sick or vacation leave.  Occasionally in an emergency, I was able to stay home and then make up work with longer daily hours.  It was challenging, but the school, missions, and marriages were not slighted, proceeded in order and were pronounced "very good."  Another challenge was my nerve-deafness problem.  I received wonderful help with this from my good friend and audiologist, Rex Scott.  He truly went the second mile and made working a possibility for me with correct hearing aids at the last possible cost (sometimes free).  He has also helped some of my children who have this problem.  By the time I completely retired from work, the children were married and gone.  But with a loving and very active large growing family, being a grandma as well as a mother became even more meaningful and wonderful. 

I find being a grandmother and mother is a double blessing and so very much enjoy these years.  Though some of my children have subsequently divorced, here are the parents with their children:

Valerie and Brent - Jess, Shawn (deceased), Jill, Jennifer, Brian, Amy, Julie, Megan, and Chelsea
Dan and Sonnie - Brian Daniel, Sherie, Michael (deceased), Jon, Steven, and Wendi
Gloria and Dave - Marianne, Sandra, David Paul, Nicole, and Chad
John and Bonnie - Bret, Jess, Stephen, Michael, and Seth
Douglas and Patricia - Brinton, Scott, Jeffrey, Richard, Paul, Steven
Sylvia and Jeff - Jeffery David (deceased), Deja, Damion, Emily Angela, Jordan.  Sylvia and Cam - Cherish
Bruce and Cindy Lee - Jeremy, Jason, Neal, and Nathan (deceased)
Rosalee and Larry - Ryan Adam, Rachel, Tasha, Julie, Carly
Joseph and Gabrielle - Joseph H. II, Thomas Chandler
David and Barbara - Michelle, Andrew, Deborah, Preston, Melinda
Carolee and Steven - Laura Brooke, Amber Nicole, and Jeni
Cynthia and Greg - Melissa and Jason (twins), Andrea, Amanda, Kayla Marie
Mark and Andelyn - Rebecca Elise, Alyssa, Dallin Mark, Franklin Scott, Elaina

I have 67 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren at this time. 

As I finish my story, it is July 2002 and Joe and I are still living on 3350 South.  With help from family and painters, we have made some home improvements and hopefully, I will add a picture of our new living room.  I am a very healthy 81 year old after a tough illness last spring, wondering whether or not to resume my work as temple ordinance worker.  I am enjoying children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  What a great day to be alive!  Here are our present vital statistics:  Children - 6 girls, 7 boys; grandchildren - 30 girls, 35 boys (3 deceased); great grandchildren - 10 boys, 15 girls.  Missions:  30 boys, 1 girl; 2 couples; current missionaries - 5. 

Elaine's Story by Elaine, written in 2002

Elaine’s Story by Elaine, written in 2002

Birth. "Thou didst have the privilege of selecting thy parentage in the spirit world," said patriarch Albert Delorma Clark in my Patriarchal Blessing. My choice being Lafayette Hinckley and Alsina Elizabeth Brimhall Holbrook, I came to them on August 11, 1920, the eleventh child and ninth daughter. I have heard that after the doctor helped deliver me, he said to my father, "No man knoweth when the son of man cometh!"

Family Life. Wisely, Papa gave up farming and looked for a lot to build a house for his growing mostly female family in Provo, Utah. From the corner of 287 E Third North, he envisioned a short walk to the stores in town, to the Fifth Ward chapel around the corner, to our relatives, and most important, to Brigham Young University. He purchased the lot and built our "clinker brick" home (still in use). It was a wise choice for Papa's nine daughters and two sons literally did walk everywhere. We all attended Brigham Young University and from that hall of learning we all eventually chose our mates (excepting Jean who died as a result of an accident at age 7 and Blaine who died of pneumonia at age 18).

Childhood Memories. I grew up in a family atmosphere of great love for one another and for the gospel. My first memory is of Papa playfully tossing me up and calling me "Tiddleywinks." He loved to introduce me as "our baby, Elaine" and when the time came added "the mother of thirteen?" I was deeply loved and cherished by this big wonderful family. I loved in return and grew up with the warm feeling of security. My oldest sister, Rachel, taught me poetry and I proudly recited "Little Orphan Annie" at our home night. This night included piano selections from our parents. One of their lively marches had us marching through the house with vigor. We loved it when our parents played their duet! Although their melodies still comfort my mind, their names are gone. Rachel would play the piano for Raymond to sing "Mother Macahree," "The Holy City," or "Danny Boy." Jennie accompanied Mary and Ruth on the cello and violin. This was a pretty good trio and I thought it the best! Jennie taught me to recite Little Boy Blue, Japanese Lullaby, Leetle Jacob Strauss, and later to play the piano. I spent much happy time in Rachel and Jennie's "blue room" (Our rooms were color-coded!) There were two little white china dishes on their dresser from our missionary brother Raymond that I carefully touched. Later this brother sent a beautiful set of white china play dishes with pink flowers for the "three little Kids" - Helen, Vera and I. Where are they and the spoons (gathered from European countries by our parents), so carefully played with and then returned to their special place in our china closet.

When five years old, I longed for some roller skates. On my birthday, I noticed Papa leaving for town and I was heartbroken as I thought I had to be with him to get the right fit on the skates. I remember having a good cry and then being so embarrassed but thrilled when Papa brought the skates home to me! I liked to skate on the kitchen linoleum around and around the big zinc-covered table where mother stood kneading brown bread. My hope was to make it around the table once and then clutch mother's skirts to prevent a fall. How patient mother was! We children were sure her favorite pastime on a summer morning was to take her "three little kids" on delightful hikes and walks, resting by shady ditchbanks and nibbling peppermint leaves growing there.

Playing on the lawn in the cool of the evening after a hot summer day - cartwheels, keel-overs, handsprings and other brave tricks were so much fun! With eight sisters, neighbors did not play a major role in my life during these happy years.

A horse-drawn ice cream truck paraded our unpaved street and its bell brought our usual entreaties and accompanying refusals from mother who was convinced that only our homemade ice cream was germ-free enough for us. This homemade ice cream was indeed delicious, made from real cream and pure lemons, ice packed and hand turned. It was especially enjoyed, along with homemade Poorman's Cake, for our numerous birthdays. As I think about it, Mother provided us with food mostly made and grown at home. We bottled great quantities of fruit and jams, juices, etc. My Queen's Chocolate Cake was a favorite with my older sisters and their beaus, just right as a goodbye snack after the date.

My first memory of the "new" house just north of the clinker brick, 341 North Third East and still in use was that if my sisters and I arose early enough on a summer morning, we could play dols at the back of the house until the sun's rays overcame the shade there. Then we must go inside, do our chores (mine often being to clean the washbowls), practice the piano, dust the buffet which was a quick job as it was always crowded with books and other items, perhaps bake a cake, go to the library which involved walking slowly past the Provo Bakery to savor its tantalizing aromas. With my arms loaded with beloved books, I opened the first and read as we slowly meandered home, again past the bakery. Provo Bakery was not in the running, though, with the aroma and taste of our mother's homemade brown bread, spread with real butter. Mother followed the scriptures (D&C 89:17) and to her, "wheat for man; corn for the ox,. . ." meant whole wheat for us.

Schools. I attended BYU elementary school for 6 weeks during the summer of 1926. Mrs. Hammond was my teacher then and also in the first grade. I remember feeling a little frightened and preferred to walk into the schoolroom with a friend rather than alone. I did like to skate to school, even though it sometimes made me late. We had a student band and I played the bells. With white bandsuits made by our parents, we first graders loved it. Our class also performed a play at the old Pantageous Theatre in Salt Lake City. I was one of the sleeping flowers and the fairy (Beth Bird) danced among us to awaken us in the spring. A scary big bear added excitement. For this event, mother took me to Salt Lake on the orem Interurban train which left Provo at 6 am. It was all exciting. As I advanced up the grades from first to sixth, I remember playing the mandolyn in the school orchestra. This was a gift from my brother Blaine who was now in Heaven. I was the only mandolyn in the orchestra and our teacher, William Hansen, was not sure just how to teach me or fit me in with the group. He finally put me with the violins. I also had a gift from my angel sister, Jean. I took care of her flower garden of pansies. I remember teachers Miss Ashton, Miss Kotter, Miss Maughan. To them I was "another Holbrook girl." The teachers liked us and mother was their helpful friend (a former teacher herself). Although Miss Maughan taught sixth grade, she somehow convinced her students on the first day of school of two things: she preferred boys and she had eyes in the back of her head. I remember searching for those eyes in her gorgeous black hair. I must admit that discipline was very good in her class. Some of my friends then were Edith Payne, Jean Riding, Ruth Hoover, Grant Jacobsen, Ross Merrill, Sam Smoot. The junior high and high school were in the same building, next to the grade school and next to the first University building that ha snow been made into a public library. I had my first date in the seventh grade with Grant Jacobsen. It was a dance in the Ladies Gym and we were both twelve years old. I had a new red formal. We walked to the dance and tried to act grownup. We waltzed sedately or did the fox-trot, depending on the band. From kindergarten on except for the "Groberg Year" in Idaho Falls I attended BYU. It was sort of "in our blood." Our grandpa, George H. Brimhall, was president and our Grandpa Holbrook and Uncle Will Knight were major contributors to it and on the Board of Trustees. My father was the most loyal fan of the athletic events there! I graduated from BYU High in 1938 in the pretty white redincote dress that Papa took me to purchase at ZCMI in Salt Lake in our car. It became my wedding dress the following December with the addition by Vera of long sleeves.

Our Holbrook family scattered for a year. I spent the ninth grade in Idaho Falls with Jennie and Delbert Groberg and their growing family. This was a change for me as I was not known as the Holbrook girl at this school, it was not an LDS school, and I had to make it on my own! I learned about self-reliance, initiative, and hard work. Being with the Grobergs is always a growing experience and I spent much time with darling little blonde, blue-eyed Mary, vivacious Julia, and baby John (for whom I took some credit while he served as a General Authority). I remember Inez Hackman, Dorothy Dowden, Altje Johanesson as school friends. I was fascinated with Idaho history and their wonderful but mistreated Indians. The Lady of the Lake, Ivanhoe, and a health and grooming class motivated me to shine my shoes everyday and become tidy. Learning Latin was challenging and opened my understanding of diffierent cultures. It was during this school year that I decided to major in child care.

Vacations. Along with California business, father liked to take his family to Venetian square at Long Beach for summer frolics. We stayed in a beachside cabin and enjoyed ocean swims and walks down the "pike" amusement parks. Here is a snapshot of me and Vera in Santa Monica.

Father loved to go fishing and the entire family would sometimes go to Strawberry, often joined by other relatives. Mother was a good sport and would read, work on genealogy, write letters, and watch the young children while father and the older ones fished. Later on when many in the family were married and gone, the "three little kids" and mother would go with father. I remember Fish Lake, especially. We rented a motor boat and did "troll" fishing. We were after mackinaw and other large fish. We would arise before dawn when it was definitely cold, fish until the sun was very hot, with no place to shed the numerous sweaters, and finally towards evening motor to the shore and back to the cabin to cook and eat those delicious hard-won fish. Wonder of wonders, we called this play!

We were entranced with the Chicago World's Fair called "A Century of Progress." Here the wonders of the 20th century and those to come were displayed. This was before TV, computers, and so much more. Father was convinced that all adults in our extended family should visit this wonderful fair. So he systematically drove his car from Provo to Chicago, no freeways, several times with different family members until all had seen it. Of course this way, father saw it many times! But the wonders of the fair palled before the opportunity the three little kids had with our mother of tending the numerous grandchildren in our Provo home while their parents accompanied father to the fair. It was a circus, a riot, a worry, a sacred calling and wonderful! We three sisters still agree it was a turning point in our lives. We grew from children to responsible young ladies. Mother felt this responsibility deeply and she organized! A daily chart showed the hours that we were responsible for which children. No child was ever out of the sight of at least one of us. Each one of those little grandchildren was a child of God and our care of them was geared to that! It was not just babysitting, it was teaching and learning first aid on the job. Needless to say, the grandbabies thrived and were even reluctant to greet their parents when they finally returned from the fair! Their three aunties were not reluctant and our greetings were from our hearts. Do you wonder that I majored in child care?

Love of Country. Our parents loved our country and their patriotism spread to their children. Family prayer always included a plea for divine help for our country's president and those in positions of trust. My parents spent a year in DC visiting the U.S. Senate and other patriotic places. We spent entire summers seeing the sights of our great country, a time when I kept a diary of these travels.

Marriages. It was a family affair when my sisters were dating! I remember hiding in the front room when Rachel's beau, Clair, came calling, hiding and teasing, sure of a treat from him. But the thin I enjoyed the most was watching my sisters get ready for their dates! Eyelash curlers, curling irons to "marcel" the hair, creams, powders, perfumes, rouge, lipstick. This was a careful, painstaking process but the big sisters did not seem to mind my scrutiny. It was all so romantic! The finished product was beautiful and the boy friends were properly impressed. The marriages and receptions were perfect but, oh, when the sisters left home, how I missed them. It was great to gain a new brother each time and their many visits back to the nest were so enjoyed, better than Christmas! Especially if babies were now a part of their family. In anticipation, the cradle (now restored and in Valerie's possession) often received a new paint and grease job to ensure just the proper rocking to soothe but not dump the baby out, as it often did. I was a willing and ready baby-sitter for these precious nieces and nephews!

Elaine Patriarchal Blessing

A blessing given by Albert DeLorma Clark, Patriarch, upon the head of Alsina Elaine Holbrook, daughter of Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook and Alsina Elizabeth Holbrook, born August 11, 1920, Provo, Utah. Given when Elaine was 15 years old, sometime during 1935.

Dear Sister Elaine: It is with a great deal of satisfaction that I confer and seal a blessing upon thy head. Thou art of the choice spirits that constitute the House of Israel, especially selected to come to the earth in this dispensation of the fullness of time to establish our truth firmly upon the rock of revelation and to continue thy life's mission in usefulness upon the earth. The Lord is well pleased with thy general thought and reflections and your meditations. Through a continuation of faithfulness in the gospel of our Lord and Savior thy mind will be moved to accomplish the desires of thy heart in righteousness and to become a benefactor to the human family. Through thy lineage which is of Joseph who was sold into Egypt thou shalt be greatly added upon. Thou didst have the privilege of selecting thy parentage in the spirit world and the Lord will bless thee and make thee equal to every emergency; be given strength and health to perform thy life's mission in a way that will meet the approval of our Heavenly Father. Therefore, be of good cheer, dear Sister. Thou shalt be blessed with wisdom, a spirit of patience and kindness, generosity and humility, courtesy and unselfishness. This will be thy portion and the Lord will be pleased to illumine thy mind with that influence that emanates from above and thy guardian angel will stay close by thy side. As you cultivate faith and humility let a spirit of prayer be a part of thy life, and when you retire to your secret closet to petition the throne of grace regarding the things pertaining to thy activities on the earth, let the first thoughts that enter your mind and rising upon your feet be the ones to act upon in all the activities of life. You will find that you will expand and grow in knowledge and understanding and the principles of life and salvation will be born in upon thy soul, your prosperity and future welfare, and you will readily acknowledge a divine influence permeating thy entire being which will lead thee into all truth. Let a spirit of purity and meekness always characterize thy life from day to day. And the Lord will be pleased to illumine your mind to that extent that you will readily grasp your responsibilities through the hourney of life and you will become a person that will be relied upon and positions of trust will be given thee through the holy priesthood and our Heavenly Father. And when the time comes for you to select a companion, rely fully upon the dictates of the Holy Spirit and one holding the holy priesthood and a worthy companion, one that you can labor congenially with and with love and devotion through the journey of life. You will counsel together in harmony not only for your own blessing, but for the blessing of choice spirits that will be sent to you to bring happiness and sunshine into your life; and you are capable of meriting the choice blessings of our Heavenly Father. You will also be an heir and a joint heir with thy blessed Savior and Redeemer; and your inheritance will be granted unto you upon this earth throughout the endless ages of Eternity. Dear Sister, take courage and satisfaction in your portion in the journey of life, and your prayers will be answered with blessings upon your head. Additional vigor and strength will be given unto thee, power and ability to perform your life's mission in a way that will meet the approval and satisfaction of your Heavenly Father; and you will bring joy and satisfaction into the hearts of your father and mother, your brothers and sisters, and your associates through the journey of life. A spirit of liberality and patience will be given unto thee and you will assist in the salvation of our Father's children both the living and the dead. And those who have passed beyond the veil are looking forward for the time to come when you will officiate in the House of the Lord in their behalf and thus make of thee a savior upon Mt. Zion. and thus I seal thee up against the powers of the destroyer and seal upon thee the protecting influence and power of the Holy Spirit to guide thee into all truth in the name of our blessed Savior and Redeemer, Amen.

Originally recorded by Helen Holbrook