My Heart has been Turned . . .

Victor Dee Cram and Emily Isabella Rasband Cram

(My great grandfather and great grandmother on my mother's side)

Also known as Nan's parents. :-)

I have really enjoyed learning more about my family, and my history. There is much work that has been done, but there is still much work to do. I am just as excited about the stories and the people, as I am about getting their information for the temple. I love to learn about where I came from and who "my people" are. It brings about feelings I have never experienced; I feel a kind-of time-warp euphoria. Almost as if I am sitting right beside them, and the pictures turn from black and white -- to beautiful color. I can smell the aromas, see the homes, feel the love, and my ancestors come to life. It is really a magic I cannot describe adequately.

My parents recently sent me a little more information, and I have been devouring it. One morning, when I was not having the best of days (we had ALL been sick for a long time), I decided to plop down on the couch and soak up some family stories. As I was reading, I unexpectedly started to weep, I felt great joy, and satisfaction with life. It changed my perspective. We spent Sunday night reading it out loud as a family, and the kids really loved it. It is exciting for them to hear about how people lived, so long ago. And they are their people!

Just a few excerpts from Emily Isabella Cram history:

Their home was lovely, but after ten children it really wore out. But it was orderly and clean. "Sometimes I wonder how mother stood our gangs. Her arms were always outstretched for us, or around us. The eight loaves of hot bread, the homemade soups, Saturday night baths in the big iron tub were all a story of their own in our lives."

"A bed was kept on the front porch where many song-fests were held. It was a joy to hear Mother's beautiful tenor voice." "Mother always took the harmony -- tenor or alto -- whatever was needed." Sometimes as we all lay in bed before going to sleep, we'd all sing -- upstairs and down. We'd sing anywhere -- in front of the house, canyon parties or just riding in the car. "

Of Emily it was said: "She was such a peaceful, happy person to be around. The corners of her mouth seemed to be turned up in a permanent smile. I remember she always had pretty hands and always kept her nails manicured beautifully -- polish and all. Embell had long, strong, brightly (mostly red) painted fingernails. She loved make-up and jewelry. "We all came before mother, but I never in my life saw mother without a clean dress, hosiery, and neat little shoes on, and gloves, and a hat to match when going to town." She loved getting "dolled up". Mother dressed modestly, and was always a lady . . . she was beautiful in all her habits. Embell never wore a pair of slacks -- she didn't like them. She always wore a house-dress and silk stockings and a lovely apron.

She was the community practical nurse and mid-wife. She never expected or received any remuneration for the services she provided. "Mother delivered the Leaver twins; they were always special to her. When Lorna was born she nursed another boy. When Mark was born, she pumped, and saved the milk between nursings and a father would take it to the County hospital for one of his twins -- that could not have survived without mother's milk."

There are many more stories about her family, and I have some great stories about my father's family, too -- great stories about very faithful people. It is so exciting for me, especially, to learn about those who joined the church when it was in it's infancy and those who were missionaries when it required tremendous sacrifice.

Again . . . just a shout out to find your family. Though temple work is, of course, the goal and important -- some of the greatest things happen when you are finding out about your family. You discover who they were and why you are who you are. :-)