"Funeral and One Liners," Trisha Reynolds

I'm sitting here crying missing her so much right now. She was such a strenght and a light. She literally lit up the room. As I was reading I remembered a few more things.

She planned her whole funeral. I dont know if you remember that or not. She didn't want any songs sung that were sung at Grandpa's or Lorraines (her oldest sister that died VERY young) funerals. She did NOT want anyone crying. For her eulogy she asked her siblings and friends to write down funny stories about her. I can honestly say that I haven't laughed so hard at a funeral before as I did at your moms. The one part that really got to me was when her friends sang. I can't remember which song it was...I'll ask my mom if she still has the program or if she remembers. I know one song that was sung was "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant."

I think one of the main reasons that I didn't start to write anything about your mom is because I loved her so very much. She was a HUGE part of my life and a huge part of who I am. Uncle Richard and Uncle Fred have told me on different occasions that my mannerisms and certain things I do remind them of your wonderful mother. That is such a HUGE compliment. There aren't words to express how grateful I am for the time we did have with your mom.

I want you to know that your Mom was a valiant, faithful strong LDS woman. She knew the gospel, had an amazing testimony and LOVED her Father in heaven. I've never met anyone so at ease with knowing they only had a short time left to live. Your Dad bought her a beautiful clock for an early anniversary present. She told your Dad that she would be spending Thanksgiving with Grandpa. She just knew...she didn't hesitate, she knew. Don't ever doubt it.

Okay...I need to stop crying, so I'm going to give you A FEW OF HER ONE LINERS....

Did I stutter?

Do you want to live to see your next birthday?

It's creammyyyy (talking about peanut butter-I think-I'll ask Lu.)

Shit, Damn, Hell were okay to say because they were in the bible

Ask me if I care? Even in the end...she still lived up to her word

I hope that this wasn't too much. The first story I attached was from Grandma. My mom said there are others, but she thinks your Dad has them. I have one from Rodney and one from Fred. They're both pretty short. The other is from my mom and its a few pages long. I'll try and type them up tomorrow or Friday. I love you very much and I pray that you will begin to remember more as we put her life back together for you through other peoples eyes.

Please give Rachel and your blessed little addition to the Snyder family a big hug from all of us.

Goodnight Nick.

Love,

your cousin Trish

"My Daughter," Ethyl Burningham

Dorothy Jean Burningham

From the autobiography of her Mom, Ethel Burningham:

In 1949, the Burningham family lived in Ocean Beach, California. The doctor that I had for my baby was in Chula Vista. On March 3rd, 1949 my husband and I headed for Chula Vista Hospital. We were there for a while when the doctor said it was a false alarm and sent us back home for ten days or two weeks. We went back home again until March 13th, at which time we went back to the hospital. My husband had a sterile bag in case of an emergency-if we had my baby before we got to the hospital. Dorothy was born on March 13th, 1949 to Cecil I. and Ethel M. Burningham.

She was what I always wanted-a fined featured little girl. She was beautiful and had a beautiful spirit. She was a special spirit in our home. She had a father, mother, four brothers, and three sisters to give her a lot of love and attention. All my babies had been big and fat. I always wanted a dainty little girl. When Dorothy was born I got my wish. She was small boned and wasn’t big and fat, my dainty little girl. She was my tenth baby. She will always be my baby girl. Before I was born, my mother said that my brother, Henry, who was 16 months older than me, said he was going to have a baby sister and name her Dorothy Jean. It would embarrass my mother, but everyone else thought it was cute. They named me Ethel after my cousin Ethel. That is why I named Dorothy, Dorothy Jean. I also named her after Dorothy Willardson.

Right after we brought Dorothy home, the Sleights were at our home to see the new baby. They were saying how cute she was and how they wanted to take her home with them. When they went to leave Freddy had all her bags packed.

Dorothy was really smart. I used to read to all the kids and once I read “The Three Bears.” Later Dorothy sat down on the couch and looked and acted like she was reading it word for word. One morning after she learned the ABC’s she asked what O-F-F and O-N on the stove meant. Then while I was bathing her, she asked what the H-O-T and C-O-L-D meant. She was in advanced classes in the sixth grade with another Mormon. They were the only two that were advanced sixth graders.

Dorothy could keep house and cook, but I didn’t realize it until I had foot surgery and she took over for me. She did a great job keeping the house and cooking the meals. I was very proud of her for taking such good care of me and the family.

I’m so thankful for my family. We will all be together eternally. I am so thankful for Dorothy’s sweet spirit in our home. Dorothy really married a prince in Israel, Wayne Snyder. He has been a great husband and father. They would come to see me at least once a week. Their three children have come up often to be with Patricia. They brought sunshine to our home because of their sweet personalities.

"Boobs and Ask Me If I Care," Trisha Reynolds

I would go to your house and fold laundry for hours. Your mom hated folding and never understood why I enjoyed it so much! (again not sure if it's what you're looking for...but I'll keep going) I remember once when Adam cut the back of his knee pretty badly. He was taking out the garbage and there was broken glass in the bag that sliced him pretty bad. Your mom sent us all outside so she could take care of it. It seems like there was another woman there with your mom - maybe Loretta or Patty (this was a long time ago.) It seemed like forever, but your mom came and got us when everything was all done. She and this other person put a butterfly bandage on Adam's leg and he was as good as new. One of the things I remember about that moment was that your mom remained calm the entire time and quickly took care of the situation.

I remember after your mom had her breast reduction. She was so excited to show us her new boobs! She thought it was amazing that she'd never have to wear a bra again! The only part she didn't like is how big her belly was. She didn't really think about how much her ginormous boobs hid her bulge! LOL It was too funny. I think all in all she was so happy with her boobs that she didn't really care about the belly that much-your mom wasnt vain at all that way. I do remember her talking about heaven and the resurrection. We are taught in church that once we are resurrected we will be born with our perfect body. She joked about how if she's resurrected with big boobies she'll she's going to have a word with the BIG guy! LOL (this is on a side note-Grandma saw Grandpa and your mom standing at our backdoor not long before Grandma passed away. She told us she thought they were coming to take her home, but they both just smiled and waved and then they were gone. The first thing my mom asked Grandma was....How big were Dorothy's boobs?? My mom is such a dork...) When I was a baby I spent almost every weekend with your mom and dad. I have quite a few pix of me with them when I was pretty small. I guess people kind of gave your parents a hard time because they were just newly married with this baby they'd bring to church with them on Sundays. A lot of people thought I was theirs. (I'll verify this with my mom in the morning)

Your mom would get asked all the time IF SHE CARED (she had a bumper sticker on her car.) She always just yelled right back at them-nope I don't. There are so many more stories... these are just the ones that were on my mind. I'm sorry if it's not what you wanted, but I've got something I'm going to send that I know you'll love. I'll talk to you soon!

Love Trisha