Happy Birthday Grandpa!
So, today May 21, 2012 is my Grandpa Larson's birthday. My grandpa died when I was 7 years old and I loved him very much. I only had seven years with him (which is more than any other one of his grandkids) but I still remember a lot about him. Not only that but I constantly hear story after story of how "Leo Larson made such an impact and changed people's lives." When I took a college Psychology class at Dixie my professor was really good friends with my Grandpa and loved him to pieces. I am pretty sure that is the only way I got a good grade in that class (thank you Grandpa! haha). I know I haven't been very good at blogging but I was listening to a song that my friend Rachel and I arranged of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and "O My Father" (video below)and my grandpa just kept coming to mind. I sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" when I was 7 years old at his funeral and now everytime I hear the song I think of him and how "he is always near me though I do not see him there, and because he loves me dearly I am in his watchful care." There have been many times when I have felt my grandpa close to me, especially when I sing. I am so grateful for that.
Some memories I have of my Grandpa are first his disgusting saltine crackers he would ALWAYS eat. The actual cracker wasn't the gross thing it was the pound of butter that he would stack on top of the cracker before he ate it. He loved them though. I remember sitting on his bed a lot and drinking my juice while he drank his diet coke as we watched a Yankees game. To this day if you ask me what my favorite baseball team is I will say the Yankees, even though I don't remember the last time I have watched them play. I love them because my grandpa loved them. He would always have me draw pictures on his back too and that was like the greatest activity as a little five and six year old. My grandpa loved to hear me sing and perform. He would drive from Page to Kanab all the time to watch me perform. I always knew he was always so proud of me and loved me so much. He always pretended that the name McKenzie was to hard for him to say so he would always call me "Mac". I thought it was THE FUNNIEST thing when he would say that.
Not only was he the greatest Grandpa in the world he had the best testimony. We have a video of him baring his testimony to the youth of the ward when he was bishop and I love listening to it. He also served as a Stake President and was loved by so many people in Page. He had the attitude of "forget yourself and go to work". He knew life wasn't easy and how valuable hard work is. I am grateful for that because he has taught that to all of his kids including my Mom who has also taught it to me. All of my aunts and uncles are great workers as well and are all strong in the gospel. I know he is so happy about that. Him and my Grandma, Kathy Larson are two of the most amazing examples I have in my life. Even though my grandpa has been gone for 14 years my Grandma has continued to dedicate her life to serving her family, and that is an understatement. Its amazing everything that she does for all of us! I consider her one of my very best friends and am so grateful to have such an amazing family and examples surrounding me wherever I go! So, Happy Birthday Grandpa. I am so happy to know that we can all be together again. I love you!! 