Bonnie Henington

Thing I remember as fun when I look back on them were really work. But dad made it fun because this what I remember. So short I couldn't even see over the steering wheel I'd steer the pickup while dad threw hay off the cows and sheep. He'd tell me to head for that end of the field and keep it straight, then he'd jump off the truck and come turn the pickup the other way and off we'd go again.
Then in the summers it was get on the horses and go to each of the fields and change the dams in the ditches, as I got older the he would just send me. Also in the summer there was the cattle drives, we'd start at some pasture ground at Idahome and drive the cattle along the old train tracks to home. There would be dad, myself, Grandpa RJ Harper, Uncle LaVere and Bud , I think Uncle Kay and Jay were there too, It was dirty , dusty and hot but I loved it.
Being the oldest I really got to work with Dad a lot, It was so much fun a sheep shearing time. The kids would get on top of the sheep shed and jump into the wool sacks to tramp it down so they could gets lots in the bag, I remember the feel of the wool, it was soft but it was also kind of oily feel from the lanolin. Then the bags would be load up and taken to Brigham City to the old Baron Woolen Mill. I remember the woolen blankets we had from there.
One time Diann and I were told to go to Barlow’s to change the water and we road Old Tony.
Dad told us not to ride through the big mud puddle on the corner over there because Tony like to roll in it when it was hot. It was hot that day and we didn't listen to him very well and went through the puddle and Tony rolled in it with us on him, how we didn't get hurt I'll never know.
Needless to say Dad happened to be on top of hay stack and seem the whole thing, he was mad but don't remember how we were punished.
As I got older Dad did hay custom hauling for people and I went to work with him and drove the Lundal trailer . I also got to help stack some of the layer when the hay wasn't too thick. Dad and I always milked cow together or take turns milking and doing chores, He love to squirt milk into our mouths from the teats, Maybe that is why I don't like milk now. Also we always had cats to feed milk , then there were the bottle fed calves, in the winter when it was lambing time, he was known to bring lambs into the house.
Can't forget all the hours that he spent helping me with my 4-H calves and Horses, it was really time to share his talents with me too. It was not just us he set such an example to it was all the kids who he worked with in 4-H and his church callings, they all loved him.
We worked hard and I'm so glad he taught me how to work and take pride in what I did,
I'm sure I complained a lot then. But we always got to play hard also, we went on picnics, he'd take us to Indian Hot Spring, we would go camping, with Aunts and Uncles and their families.
In the winter he'd have us out pulling us on old pick-up hood, ( I think that what it was ) in the snow. Oh! It was so fun to work and play beside him.
I remember trips to Park Valley to visit Kunzler , trip to see our cousins in Salt Lake, there were many places that we went.
Every morning we'd go out and do chores , come in and have breakfast, morning prayer around the breakfast table, then going over the plans for the day. If it was school, it was go to practices after school, home and do chores and then back for games or mutual. He made sure he went to all of our sports, softball, volleyball or basketball. The support was so wonderful to have. Oh there were movies at the Grange too. That was a ball.
Sunday was for church, and a day to visit family this when we found our selves at grandma and Grandpa Frost or one of the Aunts or Uncles. I always knew that Dad had a testimony, I don't remember the stories he would tell about his mission, but just that he'd let us know of his love for the gospel in them. Temple trip where a big deal too in our house when I was young, It was a long drive to go so we stayed with grand parents.
At Uncle LaVere’ funeral, Dad gave the closing prayer, and while he was giving that prayer I felt then that Dad knew Jesus personality , Dad was not just saying a prayer he was talking to
Him on a one to one basic. I don't know if any one else felt it, but I know it, what a testament to me.
Thank you, Dad for being such a strong influence in my life, there were many times I seemed to make bad choices but He was always there to pick me up and Love me unconditionally. Because of this I know that I became a much better person, and stronger in my belief. Of the gospel. There are many more memory’s that keep popping up. Love you very much and really miss you. Thanks for still being there. I know you are still watching out for us. Am looking forward to that day we are all together again.