Remembering Clara Barton Johnson

Its been more than a week since Clara Johnson's funeral.  Time to share some remembrances of the day. 

It was delightful to visit with Moab friends/ Dad's first students, the Bailey's, Molly, 90 something and two of her 4 boys.  The other two are on missions with their wives in the Bay Area, Steve and Dennis are waiting for their calls.  Chatted with several of the Carlsons and a couple of Nordfelts.  Had good visits with Clara's daughters Colleen, Carolyn and Janice.  Colleen has great difficulty walking.  She was stricken with MS her first year at Ricks.  After recovering enough to a wheelchair and then cane she went to BYU  and served a mission in Guatemala, married and had seven children.  All of that was most unlikely to say the least.  She has more determination than I can imagine. 

Colleen, Janice and Jay's wife spoke at Clara's funeral.  I'd like to share just a few quotes of Clara's that they shared because they typify her simple wisdom that has blessed me.  

Clara quotes from Janice: 

They were unexpectedly, both widows within three months of Arden’s (Clara's husband) death at 97.  Janice and her children moved in with Clara to care for her.  On a very hard day for Janice, Clara said,  “Regardless [of your unexpected sorrow] you need to do what’s right.”  Those simple words gave Janice courage to keep going and just do what was right one step at a time.

In Jay’s wife’s talk she shared three Clara quotes:

 1.  “If you ain’t got no choice, be brave!”  Cowboy saying.

2.  In their early years of marriage Clara and Arden lived in a log cabin on his father’s ranch in La Sal.  Outhouse, wood heating, cooking  were the conveniences.  While scrubbing the wood floor one winter, with two children, she had an amazing feeling of gratitude as she paused to survey her surroundings.  When she returned to finish the floor the water was frozen!  

That was the Clara outlook on life that I benefited from.  

3.  “Is it hard enduring to the end?  No!  The hard thing would be not enduring to the end."

Bishop Wes Matheson’s remarks were impressive in his intimate knowledge of Clara and Arden.  Of note was the fact that they had arranged the ability for her to listen to sacrament meeting from her home, remotely,  during her homebound years.  I can't imagine anything so kind for Clara.  Simple pleasures.

This evening I was thinking of all of you and your recent and ongoing challenges and changes in your lives as I knelt for my bedtime prayer.  As I prayed I felt as Clara did more than 70 years ago, an amazing feeling of gratitude and felt compelled to tell you so.  

Its because of whatever challenges I've had in life that I know what I know.  I wouldn't trade any of it. I'm grateful.  How else would I have known the great love of God for me and every person who has ever lived.  We can't manage through life on our own.  No one can.  That is what life is about.  I know that and I'm assured that you do as well.

I'm grateful.