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Sunday was the girls' day off. All she asked of them was that they attend Sunday school and sacrament meeting. If they did this, they could go to the depot and see the trains come and go. This was really a highlight in their young lives. Thirty years after the death of her daughter, Annie, Karen passed away quietly at the age of 93 and was buried on John's birthday. John lived 5 more years and enjoyed visiting the Manti Temple, which he helped to build. In January 1926, John attended church and within the week he was also taken home in a quiet way to join Karen; he was buried on her birth-day. Yes, they were happy they had COME TO ZION and now they were together again and could enjoy the fruits of their labor forever. Source: This story is taken from family records and the authors own person-al experiences. (Lucille Seely, born March 8, 1890.) THE FIRST SILVER CHRISTMAS TREE Reva T. Jensen Santa Maria, California Senior Division Honorable Mention #1 Short Story Sunday evening stories were always a happy time when we sat around the pot-belly stove, watching the wood crackle and the flames fly up the chimney while Grandma, her bright eyes dancing with memories, told of the times of long ago. When Grandma told a story she gave it secret sounds of beauty. Her long years of vital living added credence and authenticity to every word. The story I liked best was one about the first Silver Christmas tree. In the eighteen hundreds, Christmas trees were all green; no one had invented the spray can of white snow or silver tinted paint to ornament Christmas decorations. So, Grandma's first silver tree was one to remember. In the late fall, Grandpa always made his last trip up the rugged, winding, rocky road into Manti Canyon to cut firewood to prepare for the long winter months ahead. On this last trip he always brought a beautiful pine tree with lush green branches that served as a Christmas tree for the family. Strings of popcorn and cranberries were handsome decorations, all made by the children of that home. Nine children helped prepare the tree, while Grandma played the organ and Grandpa sang "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas." Years come and go, and child- -69- |
