The Greatest Men on Earth

Most of you are not going to care about this LONG post, so if you don't want to read it, that's fine. In fact, you don't have to read any of my posts. But I love it that you do :)

We had a WONDERFUL opportunity to have my parents here for a couple days so they could attend a reunion with my dad's brothers and their wives. A little background, if you're interested. And I was taught to never ruin a good story for a little truth, so hopefully this is accurate and, if not, oh well. My Grandpa Hicken married a fabulous woman named Mazie. They had a little girl, Norma, who died when she was 10 months old from eresypilis or something like that. Then they had a little boy, Neil. Then another little girl, Elaine. Then a little boy, Jay. Then another little boy who died. Then my dad, Joseph. Then another little boy, Dale. And finally, another little boy, Robert.

When my dad was 4 years old, and baby Robert was about 10 days old or so, my grandma died of complications with pnuemonia. That was before the days of penicillian being given to humans. Thus, my grandpa was left with 5 sons and a daughter. All his extended family wanted to split the family up because there was no woman to care for the children. My grandpa was a dairy farmer in Heber, Utah and it would be next to impossible to raise 6 children by yourself and run a farm. He refused to let his children be split up, so he kept them all (except the baby who spent the first couple years of his life with an aunt and uncle) and raised them on his own as best he could. My aunt Elaine was the greatest woman on earth and kept that family together, raising her brothers and taking care of her dad even though she was just a young woman.

After a few years, he married another fabulous woman named Vay. They had one more son, Claude, making 6 sons and 1 daughter. They were married for 30 years or so, until my grandma Vay died in the early 80s. I never really knew her. He remarried again, when he was in his 70s or 80s, to another woman named Fay. They were married until she died in 1994. My Aunt Elaine passed away in July of 2000 from cancer at the age of 66. My grandpa lived until he was 94 1/2 and died in April 2002, the end of my freshman year at BYU. He was the greatest man I knew.

Since then, I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know my uncles better, especially as an adult rather than a child. I always loved them and respected them, but I was afraid of a lot of them. They seemed rough or mean when I was a child. But the more I got to know my grandpa, my dad, and my uncles, I learned that there are no greater men that walk this earth. My grandpa had to teach his sons (and daughter) how to work. There wasn't time for play. But there was time for work, honesty, God, family, and wisdom. These boys are the hardest working, most honest, most God-fearing, most family centered, and wisest men I have ever met. Among them, my grandpa used to say, there have been 5 bishops, such and such stake presidents, 2 seventies, sealers, and this that and the other, and a daughter who held every calling in the world.

Being near these men, I feel like I'm in the presence of royalty. People to be admired. I wish I had more time with them. We've been able to get to know a few much better on different occasions, but even though we don't know each other very well, when we are together as a family, there is a feeling of perfect unity. I have never come across a family that is more closely knit together and that truly understands what family is all about. I think it has 100% to do with the great challenges these men faced at such a young age and the life that resulted.

When we moved here, I got to know my uncle Bob (baby Robert) who was always the scariest to me growing up (sorry! it's true!). We worked daily with him putting our store together and I soon realized that he is my dad's twin brother. They are so alike in so many ways that when I am with him, I feel like my dad is close by. I LOVE these men! If only you could have the opportunity to know them.

They also are the best to be with when there is laughter. I have never known people to have a better laugh then these men. They laugh so hard they all cry. I love it.

So, when my dad was here, all the adult cousins in the area (meaning Bob's kids and us) were invited to a dinner with our aunts and uncles. Here's a picture I got of all the men visiting. From left to right: Dale, Neil, Bob, Jay, Braden, my Dad (Joe), Jay Garlick (Elaine's husband), and Claude. Excepting Claude and Jay Garlick, of course, they all look so much alike, talk alike, act alike, nod their heads alike. Well, that is, except Dale too. He is the nut of the bunch! (For those who care, Larry Morris works with Dale and knows him well)

Anyway, it was FABULOUS to be there that night. I never wanted to leave. Truly, each time I've been with them in the last few years, I feel like I've stepped into the Celestial Kingdom and I don't ever want to go away. They are unbelievable.

Updates for my brothers and sisters: Claire Bangerter had a baby about 6 (?) months ago, Adam Bangerter had a baby about 3-4 (?) months ago. Spencer Garlick's wife is due in July as is Alena Hicken. Lauren Bangerter is on a mission in Germany, as is Andrew Bangerter. Quinn Larsen is on a mission in Columbia and Annie Garlick is on a mission in Pennsylvania. Launa went thru the temple a month or two ago. And it seems everyone else is doing just about what they were doing when we were at the reunion 2 years ago.

I wish you could have been there. I know you're not all as sappy as I am, and you're probably rolling your eyes at this post, but it was GREAT!