DORIS KIRKHAM JOHNSON 2010
January
Doris had dinner at the Christensen’s on New Year’s Day. Phyllis was put in the hospital for her infected finger, and eventually had part of it removed. Her back was painful only when she was active. After a visit to Dr. Clinger, she received pain medication. Later in the month she noticed depression. Doris attended the shower and wedding for Lara and Jess. She talked about how much she likes Jess. Always busy with handwork including angels for Christmas; always involved with the Judys (missing them when they are gone), and doing lots of organizing. Kanda’s baby was born. Doris hosted DUP. She spent some days at Carl and Laree’s and spends time with Kristen.
February
Doris is still attending Home Evenings and DUP. She is always busy with handwork, and organizing. She attends activities with her families that live near her. It seems that everyone makes sure Doris participates in lots of fun activities. She names everyone she sees and what she does with them. She enjoyed watching the Olympics.
March
Her leisure time and health and activities remain similar, with lots of work on flags. She mentioned reading the Book of Mormon 39 times. She still goes to the temple with Maureen to do initiatory. Spent time at Carl’s and the Christensens came to visit, as well as Huntsmans. She had a project to make microwave potato bags. Maureen had hip replacement surgery. Her mouth was sore, and she worried about cancer until she finally “confessed” and was taken to the doctor to find out her dentures were irritating her jaw bone and received medicine for it. Aldon’s jaw cancer had made her especially worried.
April
Handwork, housework, DUP, Temple, Home Evening, organizing – all mentioned several times. Dale is generous with Mom every month, along with calling her often. Huntsman’s visited, and Phyllis organized Christmas boxes. General Conference was listened to. She eats with Judys most evenings, and continues with family activities with all her family including a stay at Carl and Laree’s. Went to Thanksgiving Point in Utah for Girls Gathering with lots of family women and girls. She was sick during the week she stayed in Salt Lake and was taken to an insta-care. She got to see Matthew during the week. She spends the days at the Christensen home, and with the grands and greats, and the nights at the Huntsman home and with the Grands and the Greats. At this time, Mom’s handwriting begins to get a little shaky.
April 29th: “Two ladies came today to talk to me, Jerda, and Phyllis, about the opportunity for me to have free assistance for my housework, free meals delivered, rides to do errands, get shopping done. It’s unbelievable what they’ll do and no cost to me. Seems too good to be true. Although I’m such a private person, shy. But my family is in favor. In a week they’ll start.” Mom did mentioned throughout the remainder of her journals that she enjoyed these services.
May
She continues with all her activities and group and family socializing. She enjoyed the second “Family Get-together”. She enjoyed Mother’s Day and hearing from all. A “Life Alert” system was installed. Again she spend time at Carl and Laree’s. During this year she has complained of not being able to hear as well, and Rickell works to get her hearing aids adjusted. She got to see some of Carl’s children and grands.
June
If I could make a list of things family and friends did for Mom during this year, or even one month, it would be amazing. All family names are included on it. Her major worry is her health, and she feels her mind is “slipping – don’t feel like I’m all here. I don’t want to be a bother to anyone.” However, she is constantly reading scriptures, books, praying, and being grateful for all that she has. If she is unable to attend church, she usually writes how sorry she is. She visited in Utah where we had our family reunion. Even the East Coast Johnson’s were able to come. The theme was “Because Two People Fell In Love”. Some of the Idaho people begin staying all night with Mom.
July
Doris is still very active, but a wheel chair is introduced at some activities. She spent time at Wolverine and Carl and Laree’s. She also mentions doing crossword puzzles. Huntsmans visited, as well as local family members. She also says her eyes aren’t as good. In spite of the problems, she continues grateful for her family, her activities, etc.
August
Christensen’s and I Doris visited at Carl and Laree’s the. Doris went to Utah. She got to visit with all the Christensens and many of the Huntsmans. Phyllis and Rick are moving to West Jordan. She always mentions how happy she is to be back home after a visit, especially to be with the Judy’s again. The angels are done, and she is starching them. She does mention pain and another visit to the doctor for more pain medication.
September
Another visit to Carl and Laree. The Judy’s are preparing an apartment for Mom upstairs in her old bedroom, and the old children’s room. Doris visits Utah again. This is the month Doris decides to discontinue going to DUP and Home Evening and she is released as a Visiting Teacher and VT Supervisor. This was hard for her, the participants, and her whole family. Too much pain, but she still enjoys life with her family. Mom was honored at a VT Meeting where they told of her 60 years of VT with only two visits missed.
October
She enjoyed General Conference with Kristen’s family (who also take her places, stay all night with her, etc.) Doris’ handwriting gets more shaky. She enjoys another visit at Carl and Laree’s.
Oct 8th: “It’s Maurice’s birthday today. What is he doing!? I want to hold his hand.”
Another change in medication.
Oct 11th: “To Whom It May Concern: I am hurting so bad, leg and back, painful every step and even at nights in bed. Sometimes in the night I come here to the living room, sit back in the chair Jerda and Kirk got for me. It helps a little. I think – when I ‘go” will the pains immediately stop. They will.”
Note-CJC 2011: As I condense this journal, it is hard to decide what to include. In spite of her pain, Mom is very optimistic, but I wanted her descendants to know about her physical condition, and realize that she was definitely getting ready to “go”.
She enjoyed a visit from Dale. Another change in medication. Christensens visited and Doris always mentions when she can go to Kaleb’s activities, and Nick’s ball games, as well as events concerning other grandchildren.
Note-CJC: The highlight of the months was Mom’s Surprise Birthday Party in Kristen’s Ward Building. I put in the following quote as many of you attended the party.
Saturday 16th: The family (so many came). They had a surprise birthday party for me at Kristen’s Ward Building. Many tables set for us. Fancy decorations. About 50 present. We had a lovely dinner (thanks to Jim’s BBQ) prepared by many. Someone always serves me so I can just sit. One of the happiest days of my life. I felt so honored! Many went up front and presented talent, stores. Dale announced Kristie’s pregnancy. They all sang the “Family Song.” “Today we Untie.” As we say goodbye, we’ll think of the time when soon we will meet and then, our love renewed will give us proof of Heaven on Earth again.” I received many gifts.
Doris attended the Girls Gathering in Sandy at Phyllis’ new home. She talks about not being in pain when she can sit down. She road with Maureen and Bryan to a Salt Lake Family Halloween Party. She is beginning to have the sacrament brought into her at home.
November
Her family is still staying with her often. She is falling more often, but continues to go to football games, family homes, a baptism for Jaxon, etc. Another quote:
Nov 6: “I just can’t get over how good everyone is to me. They all help me to walk, or I would fall down often. They make sure I have everything I need. I would like to think Maurice may sometime see how good the family is to me. I’ve had a happy days, in spite of all the pains in my back and leg.”
Doris was thrilled when Phyllis and Jerda offered to get her family Christmas Gifts!!!!!. All wrapped and sorted. She was very pleased. She enjoys that her children and spouses like to meet once a month. Jerda has started leaving her breakfast, as well has dinner. She mentions that she doesn’t feel like doing much handwork. She went to Huntsmans in Utah for Thanksgiving. At the end of November, she moved upstairs into a darling apartment that the Judy’s prepared for her.
December
She continues to talk about the help she receives from everyone, including her “housekeeper” Judy that she likes so much.
Another quote: Dec 7th. I was reminded of _Pearl Harbor today and remembered I heard just as I entered home, coming from church on that day. The President of the U. S. said, “This Day Will live in infamy.” I often wonder how much longer I’ll be here. I hurt! She does fun Christmas activities with the Judy’s, Kristen and her family, Carl and his family. She enjoyed an “I remember” letter from Dale, and the Family progressive Christmas Party. She had a wonderful Christmas with the Judys. Phyllis and Rick came to visit afterwards. Many Huntsmans attended the New Year’s Party.
NOTE-CJC: I had very mixed emotions as I tried to condense Mom’s journal for her. I hope I didn’t leave anything out that would have meant something to anyone. She mentions all her family constantly – especially the Judys, the Nelsons, Rickell, Carl’s Family, and the Gordons who are nearby. also impressed with how much her family helped her through this hard year. Mom’s family was the most important thing in her life. I was impressed with her positive attitude in spite of the pain, and hope this came through in this journal entry without this journal sounding too negative. CJC
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