Week 11 - Personal History

Share a few memories of your grandparents

JACKIE:

Our grandmother, Beverly Francis Cronin Lloyd, or as my kids know her--G.G, (Great Grandma), was a wonderful lady who was always interested in what we did and our talents. I remember Stacy and I having sleep overs at least once a month, reading books, making waffles, and playing the piano. On a few times we came, Stacy and I got to dance to some music she played in her record player- it had a story and some kid music. That was sure fun. We dressed up in characters and pretended to be act out the story. As I got older Grandma and I would like to paint. She took me to her friend Bonnie Posseli, where I learned oil painting. I did this for up to 10 years until she moved to Park City. Also, one of my favorite memories that carried onto my paintings, was when Grandma took me to ride a horse named, "Baytar." It was a white stallion. I painted the horse, and ever since then, liked horses. ( It was one of her friends that owned some horses in her ward.) I also got to ride ponies and walk the horses. That was a memorable day. I think I was about 10.

Grandpa, John Hugh Lloyd, was also really cool. (Or as my kids call him, "Grandpa."even though he is a Great Grandpa to them.) He liked to golf. Some of the time, Stacy and I would go golfing with grandpa and grandma at the Willow Creek County Club, near their house. He let us drive the cart, and one time, grandpa told me, "Now don't crash into that tree..." (And guess what I did? I crashed into THAT tree. I barely put my foot to the petal. Everyone laughed.) Grandpa liked to tell us about what we could do to improve our lives. Although, I learned quite little about his past, he always was concerned about ours so that we'd make something of ourselves and have enough money to be living on. I liked watching TV with him, or eating lunches at the club. I am amazed by how smart he was to be an Engineer, and what he did in WWII. He was proud of his accomplishments, and strived to sustain a living on what they earned. They did not get in debt, and was proud of how budgeting helped them at times of need. I know it was the LDS church and his upbringing, that got them married in the Temple, and all three kids sealed with them, when my mom was 16. He was always strong, and never weak. That's what's makes Grandpa who he is. Tough. 

STACY:
My grandma Beverly Lloyd is a very well educated lady.  She earned her PhD in education.  She did research about gift and talented students.  I admire my grandma so much.  She always taught me to do well in school and not to be afraid to be the only girl in a mostly male dominated profession.  She earned her bachelor's degree in degree at BYU.  I believe I inherited some of her traits in business and organization because I earned an MBA.  

She was always very fun to play with at her house.  She would have Jackie and me sleep over a lot.  We staying in a bedroom that had purple lilac bedding.  She did school, store and painting with us.  I enjoyed my younger years at her house.  She also was creative and enjoyed the arts.  Jackie and I did ballet and painted with her.  

My grandpa was also very fun to hang out.  He was a mechanical engineer.  Recently he helped me understand the basics of mechanical engineering and plumbing so I could pass my architectural license.  It was fun to have him as a teacher.  He always wanted me to do my best and to remember who I was.  What a tough guy!

I remember my dad's dad a little bit.  His name is Sterling Albert Meyer.  I always thought I was connected to him in a way because we shared the same initials (SAM).  I remember him vividly sitting on our living room couch when I was about 5 years old.  I know that my dad admired him because I also remember the day my dad found out his father passed away. 

     

Week 8-10 - Personal history

8.What are the names of your brothers and sisters? Describe one or more things that stand out in your mind about each of your siblings.

JACKIE:
I am the oldest Jacquelyn Marie (age at the time of this post; 38), then in order: my sister, Stacy Ann (age at the time of this post; 36), Jennifer Lynn (age at the time of this post; 33), and Jeffrey Lloyd Sterling MEYER (age at the time of this post; 31) . Stacy and I were close we are about 18 months apart and a year in school behind each other. Best thing about Stacy, was she loved Math. We'd take classes together, but no matter how I was studying, most of the time I could not grasp the math concepts! :) (Being an artist...math is SO different.) Jenny, was sweet and like me...lots of curves! When she was younger she always talked. I think that helped me talk more now. She seemed to not be afraid of things that came her way. Jeff, was interested in many things. I think he has an inquisitive mind. Liked music, sports, and all sorts of English novels/books. Liked to learn stuff. Its neat he went to Lithuania on an LDS mission, he gained so much knowledge about culture and other people.  

STACY:
I have three siblings and all their names start with the letter "J" except me - Jackie, Jenny and Jeff.  Their full names are Jacquelyn Marie, Jennifer Lynn and Jeffrey Lloyd Sterling. 
Jackie is very sweet and takes care of everyone.  She is the mother figure in our family.  Jenny is also very kind and loves to give kisses that suction off your face.  She is very good with little kids, they love her.  Jeff is fun and funny.  He can debate and speak really well.

9. What were some of the family traditions that you remember?

JACKIE:Some of the family traditions that I remember, are going to St. George around Easter. We'd go on Easter Hunts, all over the city. Then we'd collect our goodies and put it together in a huge bowl (which grandma insisted on. Actually, I do this too. Its so easier with little kids.) I loved our Easter tradition. It was so fun. The sleep-overs at Grandmas condo where we had our sleeping bags all over the whole house, the hunts, trips to the ST. George LDS Temple, and going everywhere those weekends. Another family tradition that still is important, is the names of all of us on our stockings from Aunt Melba (she kitted the stockings,) although I can't knit... we use glitter to do the same in our house. 

 STACY:
I also remember going to St. George to visit grandma and grandpa.  We would all hang out at their condo.  My most favorite thing to do was attend the Parade of Homes in St. George.  We would drive around and look at all the new built homes.  Memorial Day it was always a tradition to drive up to Ogden to visit our grandma Meyer's grave.  We still try to do it even though my dad has passed away too.  My mom wanted to stop a few years back, but I remembered saying it's tradition to go there.

10. Did your family have special ways of celebrating specific holidays?

JACKIE:
As a kid, our way of celebrating specific holidays were special in that we actually acknowledged the holidays to the fullest extent! :) Ever since we became married, I was surprised that other families (Brian's side) did not acknowledge holidays. We were in Minnesota and holidays would be fast approaching, I'd want to do something, but we couldn't get anyone to come over, we'd get hardly any responses if they were getting together, so, most of the holidays there in MN- were us, and his Mom. It was quiet. But, in comparison, here in UT... For, St. Patrick's Day, we'd get all dressed in GREEN, get together to have green food or goodies, go to a parade (if there was one), and do some crafts. (maybe because our ancestors were Irish...we liked this holiday a lot.) And, it wasn't just one of us, it was all of us getting together. Other holidays were equally important where we'd make a plan and do a lot of things for a whole week until the holiday was over.     

STACY:  We really liked to make each holiday fun and exciting, especially birthdays!  My mom would always arrange for fun birthday parties at some place.  My favorites were Wheeler Farm and the Lion House.  We also spent Christmas Eve at grandma's house a lot of times.  My family and John & Rick's family would all be there.  My mom loved giving each kid a present for Valentines and  Easter.  4th of July we would sit by Alta View Hospital and watch the fireworks.  My new favorite holiday since I have had kids is Halloween.  That has been so fun to watch Johnny, Paige and Jackie's kids get dressed up and go out trick or treating.

 

Week 7 - Personal History

What kind of hardships or tragedies did your family experience while you were growing up?

JACKIE:
I think the big hurdle in our family, due to hardships and tragedy, was after Jenny's accident 1998. With Jenny being life flown to the LDS hospital that January morning, we were on edge to wither she would come out of her coma. She had to be on a medical coma for a time so she could heal, but initially, we did not know if she would be okay or be come out alive. I remember Stacy and I praying, after hearing word at college, making the drive to the hospital and seeing Jenny on a bed and moved to the critical patients rooms. We were guided to the church room in the hospital and another room where we were to be counseled by our church leaders (the bishop). I think we were all on edge to what the outcome may be. Everything else just looked so, unimportant. School, friends, jobs, etc seemed so trivial and we tried our best as the days passed by, until Jenny awaked. It was early one morning, Jenny called Mom. I'll never forget her surprise as Mom told us about her call. She did not know it was her! And, that was the day she "Awoke." We then helped her do therapies after and walking exercises in the months following. I am so happy, to have my sister. I just love her. When I had my accident with Silicia, on the way to work, I did not want to be in the hospital. It seemed I asked God to make me okay. And he did. When I had my accident I did not go into a coma, thankfully. However, It was in the hospital I learned about Silicia, my passenger and friend. It still makes me sad she died. I can't quite get over it, but having family nearby has helped me heal, as with the Church.

STACY:
I agree with Jackie that the first biggest hardship was Jenny's accident.  I learned what was really important in life and the thought of losing one of my family members was hard to think about.  We watched how Jenny was in a coma and then she worked hard in the rehab unit.  She progressed and improved and it was amazing to see her progress.  I felt bad for Jeff at the time because while we were all visiting Jenny at LDS hospital in Salt Lake, he was mostly home alone in Sandy.  I believe that this experience made us all a better family unit.  We learned how to pull together and support each other.  Also, mom showed me in the hospital when Jenny was first in intensive care a coat that had a label that said Bish's clothing.  Her grandfather was known as Grandpa Bish.  I will never forget seeing that coat label.  We knew that Bish and other family members were there to watch over us that day to make sure everything would turn out okay. 
Another hardship was Jackie and Silicia's accident.  Silicia passed away that day from the car accident.  This happened June 7, 2003.  Silicia was my best friend since high school.  That was really hard to deal with the death of someone so close and so young, she was 27.  I was very grateful that I had met her at the mall the night before after a blind date she had just been on.  As I was driving back to my apartment in Salt Lake afterwards with another friend Deidre, I remember that we had talked about angels.  I believe she is still with us.