I’ve been on a very long trip down memory lane this week and it’s been quite a ride.
In preparation for this post I’ve spent hours searching through many a photo (digital and otherwise) looking for any pictures that included members of the Larson family, our across-the-street neighbors and dear friends for over 11 years. My search revealed dozens and dozens of photos that included various members of the Larson family, proving to me undeniably and concretely that the Larson's have been a significant, vibrant, positive, and influential part of our lives for many years. I know that when they move to their new home next week (an hour and a half south of us) the Dickey family will experience some major heartache. Our lives will be changed significantly.
I know a blog is not the place to display dozens and dozens of photos, but I wanted to give you a small sampling of the kinds of memories I’ve been re-living this week.
Here’s some of what I found, a solid bakers dozen for your viewing pleasure…
Mary Kate and Savannah Larson, little artists – 2001
Mary Kate and Brooklyn Larson, dancing in the rain - 2003
Mary Kate, Savannah, and Brooklyn Larson, in the backyard pool – 2003
Cherish Larson and I, looking young and gorgeous – 2003
Madison Larson, helping with the boys – 2004
Dallas Larson, helping with the boys –2004
Mary Kate and Madison Larson, dance recital – 2006
Mike, Whitney Larson, and Mary Kate, four wheeling adventure – 2006
Whitney Larson, Brooklyn Larson, Mary Kate, and Savannah Larson, in the snow - 2007
Jeffrey, Devron Larson, and Jonathan, snow ride - 2008
Cherish Larson and I, neighborhood bonfire - 2009
Mike, Devron Larson, Dallas Larson and the Boy Scouts of our ward, setting off for Scout camp (just one of many that Mike and Devron attended together) – this one -2010
Mike, Devron Larson, and Richard J – Yellowstone 2010
And just one more photo, for good measure…
Jeffrey, Mary Kate, Savannah, Brooklyn and Jonathan, just this winter – 2011
It’s true that a picture says a thousand words. After viewing this smattering of photographic evidence, you see what I mean…the Larson’s have been an integral part of our everyday lives for so very long. It’s proving impossible for me to even imagine everyday life without them living across the street. At the Dickey house these past few weeks we’ve shed many a tear and spent all our energy trying to block the visions of their moving truck rounding our corner for the last time and fading away in the distance.
Maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, after all, it’s not like we won’t ever see them again, I know we will be friends forever, but I know it won’t ever be quite the same. You’ll have to forgive my sentimentality. I get attached, that’s the truth of the matter. I hate saying good-bye to the good parts of my life that make me (and my family) who we are.
Thank you Larsons. Thank you for the memories, all the good times. Thank you for what you’ve given our family over the years. True friendship is no small thing. I believe people come into your life for a reason and make their everlasting mark, for better or worse. Your mark has most certainly been for the better.
I have to throw in just one more photo, one of my favorite…
Larson family – 2011
We love you Larsons, we’ll miss you like crazy!!!!
Some of our most favorite memories…
…scrapbooking, canning peaches, backyard BBQ’s with Devron at the grill, Sunday dinners, four wheeling adventures, long walks and meaningful discussions, the day Whitney was born, Scout camps, wall papering, game nights, Cherish’s amazing food, learning to make bread, swimming in the backyard, sleep-overs with the girls, mornings and evenings of Elder’s ball, the good laughs, trick-or-treating in the snow, caramel popcorn, date nights, float tube fishing, carpet cleaning, tech support, puzzles with the girls, watching documentaries, moving to our new houses, decorating consultations, shopping with Madison, Young Women presentation fashion shows, birthday celebrations, hearing that Cherish was pregnant AGAIN, just being able to walk in your house, feeling so welcome in your home and in your lives, everything you’ve taught us about how to be good people, because you’re good people!
12 comments:
What???? Noooooooooo! This musn't happen - please tell them it's forbidden.
Absolutely unacceptable.
Oh, Jill. I am so sorry another dear family is moving away from you. It is so hard to see people we love move away from us! I wish I had been able to meet the Larson family. They sound wonderful.
That's rough. Looks like you guys had some great times together- but I'm sure there are memories with them yet to come. Some friends, you don't let go, even when they move.
My dearest Jill--as I sit here sobbing I have to admit that my thoughts this past week have also been directed towards you and the incredible impact that you have had in my life and in each of my children's lives. How am I ever going to be able to live without you across the street? (I just had to stop typing for a solid 2 minutes to get control of myself.)Thank you for your total love and acceptance, your candid honesty, and your undying friendship. You have been such an example to me in all three of these areas and many more. You have helped me raise my children, wallpaper, paint and decorate my house, and been my Sunday afternoon "Dickey store" for so long that it is almost unacceptable for that to end. You are truly an angel in my life; one that has made an everlasting difference. I know it won't ever be the same as being right across the street, but our friendship will and must continue. I promise that I will work hard on my blog! You are amazing and I love you, but boy, I have a headache now.
Wow I can't even imagine how hard that must be. I love this post though. I bet it was a memorable ride to put together all of the picts you've had with their family. I love both of these families lots, and it also makes me sad to see everyone moving away. Thanks (to both families) for changing my life for the better as well.
I really like the Larsons too and I can't believe how big those little kids all are! I have always thought Cherish was an amazing mom.
What a beautiful post. I wished I'd have known them like you did. Cherish is such a real lady, so refined, so Christlike and certainly the epitome of a true homemaker. She emcompasses it all. How I know how your heart aches right now. It's almost like saying goodbye to a family member. Devron was such a great scout leader to Spencer. They surely will leave a big hole in the neighborhood.
Let's be honest. I still can't accept "the neighbors" that replaced the John's. In fact, no lie, I pretend like they (the John family) still live there when I go home. There is something irreplaceable about families that help raise your own. Best of luck to Cherish and her family!
Jill this is Dallas... I cannot believe you put that yellowstone one of me on there!!!! >( >( i can imagine what you were thinking when you saw that one "oooooooohhh look at dallas he looks ABSOLUTELY AWFUL in this one...... we're putting it on muhahahahahahaha" uuurrrgghhhh >( >( >(
Ah Dallas, you look great in that picture. You are a handsome guy!!!!
The Savannah comment is really Cherish, if anyone was wondering.
I didn't even recognize Madi and Savannah in the last picture, they are so grown up. Is Savannah really that tall?
I love this post. it's beautiful. I am so moved.
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