One anniversary that I wish it wasn't there

This week has been a rough one.  Tomorrow is the one year mark since my dad passed away.  I still remember that rushed day to get to Utah but the incredible night I was able to spend with my family in the hospital room with his body and spirit one last time.

I saw a few pictures of my parents when they were very very young that I'd never seen before and I wanted to share.  My mom looks so pretty!  My dad looks happy and like he's getting ready to get in trouble.  My brother looks a lot like him.

My dad LOVED the mountains.   I know he has been able to see a lot more mountains now then he was at the end of his life. 

This was the last time he was in Idaho Falls before we moved to Texas.  We had our set of things that he like to take the kids to do.

And the last time he took them fishing.

 Like I've said before, I know he is still holding my hand through life.  The spirit world is really not that far away.  Love you Dad!

Past, present, and future memories

Its been almost a year that my dad was taken from this earth and back to his Heavenly Father.  I still wasn't ready for it.  During the past month while I had been so sick, it occurred to me how many times my dad was this sick and he would push past it.  He had quite a struggle for many years.  I don't want to focus on the struggles or the hurt or the pain though.  I want to see the happiness and what was taught and learned.  So my first posting is this picture of when we came down from Idaho to pick grapes.  They were ripe and there were a lot.  What he thought would take the whole weekend took one day.  I enjoyed working by his side; laughing and teasing and talking.  It's something every parent should teach their children.

So that Christmas, Jacob made new lugs for him. I added the custom Smith Farms logo.  He always loved his lugs and always talked about not losing them.  It is a memory I will have my entire life.  We picked grapes every October. Most of the time the grapes were ready over conference weekend. We would bring a radio out Saturday morning and afternoon and listen to General Conference.  We worked while we learned with our family.
Love you Dad.

Dennis Ralph Smith

I forget that not everyone is on Facebook now a days. Here is the information for my dad's funeral services. Hopefully one day soon, I'll call and write back those of you that have been so supporting.

Funeral Services:
Thursday @ 2 p.m. at the Lindon West Stake Center. (250 West 600 South, just off of 1600 North in Orem. The road is half Lindon, half Orem. Exit 273 off of I15)
There will be a viewing from 12 - 1:45 p.m. prior to the services.

I hope this makes it to everybody that is interested. Once again, thanks for your love and support.

To see his obituary, click HERE.