GatheringGardiners: Suzanne Marie Brown Gardiner Timeline

1951 Johanna Born Aug 19 Suzanne was always close to her older sibling Johanna in spite of being 3 years 5 months 14 days apart in age.

1955 February 2 birth, Ten years after WWII ended Suzanne was born on February 2, 1955. Dr Brown was in residency at the time and asked the Doctor over him if he could deliver Suzanne. He said yes. That is why two signatures are on the green birth certificate. She was born in the same room as Chad and Rachel and the same hospital as Chad, Rachel, Eric and Ryan. The birth occurred at 11:30 am. Suzanne was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20 inches long. Suzanne’s father was 33 and mother 30. She was a beautiful right from the start. They lived at 11322 Elmcrest, El Mont Ten years after WWII ended.

Birth certificate

Suzanne 7 weeks

Below: L to R Marjorie, Suzanne, Aunt Norma (Margie’s sister), Johanna, Norma’s husband, Roland Wadsworth Jr and Belva. Roland and Norma married in 1953. Children: Jeffrey, Janice, Julie and Jill. Roland served in WWII and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. They later divorced and Roland outlived Norma by 2 years dying in 2013 at 89. Photo taken: 1955:

Christmas 1955. Suzanne is 11 months old. Marjorie is pregnant with Jim Jr. Dr Brown was born in 1921 so he is 43, Marjorie is 31. Jim appears to have a nice collection of books. Suzanne looks well fed. Notice how well fed she looks. There is a play pen in the front room. They were common at the time.

1956 James Brown Jr. born Feb 10

1957 Judith Caroline born Nov 18

1958 Suzanne is 3.

Suzanne had thick, curly brown hair and big brown eyes. She was a happy child with a sunny disposition. Whenever she smiled, which was often, you could see her dimples. Her eyes sparkled. She just lit up the room wherever she was. People of all ages were naturally drawn to her. She didn’t know any strangers. Just friends she hadn’t met yet. I don’t think she had a shy bone in her whole body. When Grandpa Brown (Harold Brown) came to visit she used to gather up all his cigarettes and throw them away. I don’t remember him getting mad at her. He knew she only did it because she loved him and worried so much about his smoking. The other night I saw a scene from a Shirley Temple movie, “Little Miss Marker.” It reminded me so much of Suzanne. Johanna Brown Goodman

Photo and program May 1958. LtoR Suzanne, Johanna, Jim Jr, Judy. Suzanne is 3. In her dance recital she performs Me and My Teddy Bear. (top right of program) How cute can you get!

1959 Charles Thomas born Jan 1

Suzie in poke dots, August 1959 at Johanna’s birthday party at Elmcrest home.

Suzie liked to climb trees when she was a little girl. We had fun with paper dolls, too. She had a great imagination. We lived at 1132 Elmcrest Street in El Monte until she started second grade. ( 1962) Then we moved to Hacienda Heights. Johanna

1960 Kindergarten

Her childhood nickname was Suzie. Her favorite color was yellow. As a toddler she carried around a yellow blanket. I used to get into trouble for hiding it. Her favorite flavor was chocolate She liked to drink milk. One of her first words was “Cheerio” because Cheerios were her favorite breakfast food. When she first learned to talk she called anything that was round a cheerio. Christmas was her favorite time of year. Johanna

Notice the dimples.

Prayer

1960

The power of prayer is great. Prayer helps you develop faith and a testimony of the gospel. Many faith stimulating experiences have happened to almost everybody. Take for instance in our family when our home was threatened by fire. Each person said their own prayer, aloud or silently but from the heart and our home was saved. Later we learned that the northward wind that miraculously save our home, blew the fire toward another home, owned by the Smiths (Not Pres Smith). The Smith family had gathered in prayer and asked Heavenly Father to protect them. Immediately a westward wind pushed the fire back into the canyon and extinguished it. The fireman called it "a rare coincidence" that two winds should suddenly come up and save the homes. But we knew it was more than just a "rare coincidence" . That night when we held family prayer, we felt closer than ever to our Father in Heaven.

1961 First, Ms Fowlie teacher, David Philip born Nov 8

Suzanne, 6 years old, first grade. She pays 12 cents tithing on June 4th, 1961. Her bishop is Murray Cluff.

Murray Cluff ( 1907 - 1987) was a bishop over two of the ElMonte wards during the late 50's through early 70's. He was bishop of the North ElMonte ward. He had moved from one ward to the other and the stake just adjusted the ward boundries so he continued as bishop. I think his total consecutive tenure was around 23 years. He would have been our families bishop until we moved from the North ElMonte to the Los Altos ward when we moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962. Jim Brown Jr.

Suzanne on our sealing: It was a glimpse of heaven to contemplate endless association with all those dear people. I remember Kent's home teacher Brother McFarland and Brother Thielens, from Glendora Ward, Kent's folks, his Aunt Audrey, his brother Mark, Murray and Faye Cluff (my first Bishop), Felice and Mayo Smith, Joics and Gene Stone, my folks, my grandma Brown, and my sister Johanna. I'm sure that there were others (like probably Bishop Bradford and his wife), but I don't remember now.

1962 Second

James Brown: Suzanne Marie, or Suzy, is sweet and sunny with a lovely smile. She’s sensitive to her surroundings, concerned with others, and an easy child to take care of. I always think of her as being older than she is. Here again, she’s just perfect for a second child.

1962 Suzanne is 7

The address of our home through our growing up years was 2348 Turnbull Canyon Road. It was changed after we had grown and left home years latter when additional homes were built along the property next to us and the access road through that property that connected to our driveway just before the pillars became a county road. The county let the local owners make suggestions for names of the new road. Mom's suggestion of Via Cielo was chosen. Jim Brown Jr

Suzanne 1962, second grade photo. Suzanne’s tooth collection.

The roots on her baby teeth never did dissolve like they were supposed to to each time one of her permanent teeth was ready to come in, she had to go to the dentist and have a tooth pulled. She kept every one of her baby teeth. Johanna

A child's baby teeth, which often come in by age 3, usually fall out in the same order they came in. That means the lower center teeth (lower center incisors) are usually the first to go, around age 6 or 7. The top center pair is next

Cielo means heaven in Spanish. Kent

Suzanne’s 1988 California driver’s license lists her as 5 foot 9 inches tall. Kent

I am 5 foot 7 1/2 inches. Slightly shorter now. I think Judy is 5' 5” Johanna

1963 Family portrait. LtR Suzanne, Charlie, Dr. Brown, David, Marjorie, Judy, Johanna, Jim Jr.

1963 Another time when I was five or six, my brother Charles fell out of the car and injured his head quite seriously. My mother stayed with him at the hospital and my father visited at frequent intervals. Every morning and every night we asked both in our family prayers and our private prayers for our Heavenly Father's help and guidance. Just before the operation the elders blessed Charles. then it was decided that the operation was not needed. Thus the power of prayer has helped our family, not only at these times, but other times as well.

1962, second grade photo. Suzanne’s tooth collection.

1963 Third 1963 -64 perfect attendance, Feb 3 baptized by her father, wrote letter on love

Dad was called as a Stake President in 1968 and served until 1977. He was called as a Patriarch the day he was released as a Stake President and two years latter he was called as a sealer in 1979. Kent, Dad was called as a stake president in 1968 and served until 1977. He was called as a Patriarch the day he was released as a Stake President and two years latter he was called as a sealer in 1979. Jim Jr.

I was a daddy’s girl right from the start. I don’t know when I first became really aware of why or of how much me meant to me. One time when I was five, my older sister bought a beautiful paper doll. I coveted it so much I saved all my money and bought myself one just like it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough money to buy my dad a Father’s Day present after that. I was anguished. He assured me I was the best present he could ever receive, but I couldn’t’ be comforted. I never played with that doll again. Even at that early age I guess I saw it for what it really was---a worthless, destructible, material item, and began to realize how much my father meant to me in a way that couldn’t be purchased. Suzanne

1963 August 17 5 Acre fire Perils Home in Hacienda Heights

County firemen held to five acres a potentially dangerous brush fire Friday that whipped through Hacienda Heights canyon threatening luxurious hillside homes.

the fire was confined to the east side of the winding 2300 block of Turnbull Canyon Road. It reduced a canyon recreation area used extensively by children to a maze of blackened trees and white ash.

Some 25 homes were threatened. Flames raced to within 30 feet of a large two-story landmark home owned by Dr. and Mr. James C. Brown parents of six children. Huge avocado trees in the path of the blaze were destroyed.

Inside the home. Mrs. Brown said she didn't know there was a fire until fire trucks screamed into her driveway. She rushed three children who were home to a neighbor's house.

Firefighters were directed by the Batt. Chief Gary Goodwin who reported eight engine companies two patrol units and two camp crews were engaged.

Report of the fire was turned in by Larry Arnold 13, of 1835 Valecito Ave, who spotted smoke curling out of the canyon as he rode horseback across the hills. The cause of the fire was under investigation

1963 August 17 5 Acre fire Perils Home in Hacienda Heights

County firemen held to five acres a potentially dangerous brush fire Friday that whipped through Hacienda Heights canyon threatening luxurious hillside homes.

the fire was confined to the east side of the winding 2300 block of Turnbull Canyon Road. It reduced a canyon recreation area used extensively by children to a maze of blackened trees and white ash.

Some 25 homes were threatened. Flames raced to within 30 feet of a large two-story landmark home owned by Dr. and Mr. James C. Brown parents of six children. Huge avocado trees in the path of the blaze were destroyed.

Inside the home. Mrs. Brown said she didn't know there was a fire until fire trucks screamed into her driveway. She rushed three children who were home to a neighbor's house.

Firefighters were directed by the Batt. Chief Gary Goodwin who reported eight engine companies two patrol units and two camp crews were engaged.

Report of the fire was turned in by Larry Arnold 13, of 1835 Valecito Ave, who spotted smoke curling out of the canyon as he rode horseback across the hills. The cause of the fire was under investigation

1964 Fourth

1964 4th grade. Suzanne appears to be the tallest in the class. This is the only photo of Suzanne where she seems to have gained a little weight. When she went to BYU in 1973 she weighted 130 pounds. In 1988 on her CA drivers license she weighed 135 pounds. I don’t think she ever weighed any more than that. Even when she was pregnant with Brett she only gained an extra 20 pounds and lost that a few months later. Unlike the rest of us Suzanne never worried about her weight. Kent

1964 4th grade. This is the only photo of Suzanne where she seems to have gained a little weight. When she went to BYU in 1973 she weighted 130 pounds. In 1988 on her CA drivers license she weighed 135 pounds. I don’t think she ever weighed any more than that. Even when she was pregnant with Brett she only gained an extra 20 pounds and lost that soon after giving birth. Unlike the rest of us Suzanne never worried about weight gain. Kent

1965 Fifth, wrote letter to Pres McKay, "A joy to have in class"

Suzanne liked school. She did well and enjoyed learning. Johanna said she didn’t have much patience with busy work. She often wrote stories and did papers on her family. In 1978 She went back to school and took a creative writing class at CSUN in the evenings. Some of the stories she did in the class will come later.

1966 Sixth, participated in Track in Los Robles School, Jr Fire Dept
1967 Seventh, graduated from Primary, School Service Award

I remember Suzanne's love of pretty things like my mother, such as antiques, china, books, flowers, Gunnysack dresses and befriending people and strange animals. At twelve years old she had waist length brown hair and an hourglass figure. I remember returned missionaries coming to see Dad and being disappointed and surprised to find she was only thirteen and not yet old enough to date. They were amazed at her spirituality as well. Judy

In 7th grade at Orange Grove Jr. High School Suzanne had Arrambide for Art and got A’s. One of her subjects was a Rolls Royce Safari Wagon This particular car was never owned by Richard Boone. The one that Mr. Boone owned was the first (or maybe 2nd) Rolls Royce that my dad owned. It was a limo that my parents sold after my 3 year old brother, Charlie, opened the door and fell out of it while the car was moving. Charlie cracked his skull and nearly died. It was a beautiful car but my dad never again enjoyed it after nearly losing Charlie.

The safari wagon was custom-built for a wealthy woman who originally planned to take it to Africa to hunt wild game. I think WWII disrupted her plans. It had a lot of interesting features and we had fun riding in it. He later sold it to the man who invented Armor All. Many years later the family tried to buy it back but in shipping it back from the east it fell apart according to my understanding. In any case it make a nice subject for Suzanne’s drawings in 1967 as a 12 year old. Suzanne and I briefly met in Glendora early 1973 and I took her and her girlfriend Melinda Romney home. As I was dropping her off she invited me back to see her fathers Safari Wagon. At the time it sounded interesting but I thought she was too young and I passed on the invitation.

1978 Here is the same car in 1978.

This particular car was never owned by Richard Boone. The one that Mr. Boone owned was the first (or maybe 2nd) Rolls Royce that my dad owned. It was a limo that my parents sold after my 3 year old brother, Charlie, opened the door and fell out of it while the car was moving. Charlie cracked his skull and nearly died. It was a beautiful car but my dad never again enjoyed it after nearly losing Charlie.

1967 - 68 Suzanne played basketball and volleyball.

1967 January 24, Language Class

Admission One Cent

Everyone has their own private fantasies or pleasures, but I think Disneyland is every one's favorite. There are so many wonderful things to see on just Main Street alone, that one has to crane their neck to try to take it all in. But of all the fantastic things there are to see, I believe the Penny Arcade interests me most.

Even the outside of the building cries for attention. All brightly lighted in a splash of bright colors and lighted with twinkling stars it is a remnant of other times remembered only in the heart of another and older generation. Inside there are rows upon rows of polished cash register like machines, blotted out by a few small dark and inquisitive onlookers. The protruding eye slots or machines are much like oversized mouths of tea pots. By paying the fee of one cent and cranking the lever at the side one soon sees a lively assortment of blushing maidens and their love sick beaus or courageous sheriffs gunning down evil doers and a number of glorious stage coach robberies. It is like going to the theater with only a cent for admission.

But what is really fun is to imagine someone whom is not quite such a good friend as the bad guy when you are the sheriff gunning him down.

Sometimes as I watch these miniature movies I wonder if we don't really miss something in this modern and advanced world of ours.

1968 Eighth

Dad was called as a stake president in 1968 and served until 1977. He was called as a Patriarch the day he was released as a stake president and two years latter he was called as a sealer in 1979

Kent: Suzanne played the piano. In 1968, at 13 years old she played Minuet in G by Beethoven. In Santa Monica and Panorama City in our early married years I was Elder’s Quorum President. As such I held temple preparation seminars. As part of that we need a piano player and Suzanne played hymns for the group to sing to.

Judy: I remember sharing and saving money for Nancy Drew books, playing with Babies and waiting to grow into her hand-me-downs which never really fit me because of her four inch height advantage. We’d take turns reading the red, blue, green, orange, yellow purple and brown fairy tale books. Then we’d play Barbie’s with her telling the most wonderful stories. Her stories of princes, princesses, castles, rescues, good winning over evil, were much better than any of those in the books. I remember her favorite name for her Barbie was Queen Deborah, a Queen Ester heroine figure.

Oh, how said I was when she didn’t have time to play anymore. I missed her adventure stories. The ones I made up were never as good as her dramatizations. I remember her and my big brother, Jim, putting on a grand catsup gum fight in the living room while my parents were out. They were so dramatic, slapping catsup on their bodies where they were “shot”. We clapped and begged them to do it again and again. Somehow it was cleaned up before Mom came home.

1968, Eighth Grade

"Feel Joy"

I have filled the requirements for Honor Badge No 7 in the field of Joy. I chose this badge because dancing is not one of my stronger points. This type of dancing, (Ballroom style) will be useful for me when I go to Stake dances and formals.) I enjoy dancing even if I do tread upon my poor partner's feet.

It was not my idea to start dancing lessons but my sweet mother read somewhere that a dance instructor would be giving dancing lessons at Newton Junior High School for anyone who would be interested. In talking with a friend of her's, my mother found that her friend's daughter (who is my best friend) Arleen Montana would also be talking this course. Being the charming soul that she is (forever trying to improve her poor daughter's grace and poise) my mother enrolled both me and my lovely brother for 10 weeks (one lesson a week) of dancing. You can imagine our delight when we found out. I did, however meet many new friends, not to say enemies of the people I met and danced with.

Among the steps they taught me were the tango (my favorite), the fox trot, swing, box step and several others. I either can remember or don't want to. The twist and cha-cha-cha are a few of the more charming ones I would prefer not to know.

All of the boys sat on one side of the room (naturally), 90% of the kids who signed up were little seventh graders. I think Arleen and I were the only eighth grade girls and I know only three boys were, and half the time they never showed up. As a result, Aileen and I ended up dancing with little puny guys hardly taller than our elbows.

Due to the lack of boys present the girls had to rotate around so that all of the girls would have a chance to dance. As soon as each dance was over each boy dragged the girl he was dancing with back to her seat, shoved her in it and ran back to his side of the room. Not only was it hilarious, but it was rather un-dignifying for the young lady.

After each dance session was over we had free "dancing" for 10 minutes where we could, talk, stand and talk, sit and talk, sit, stand, dance to our music, dance to their music, dance, wait for our rides, or do nothing. We usually did nothing. We had a great time.

After all the lessons were through we had a party for our parents to show them what we had leaned. One parent showed up. We knew nothing and we did nothing. The refreshments were very good, however.

A few couples came home with prizes for dancing well (or in other words - in rhythm) As you can tell by this report I was not one of the winners.

Signed: Suzanne Brown, girl, Marjorie Brown, mother, Raeline Preciado, teacher and Angeline L. Burgess, Stake Beekeeper.

1968 February
Life With My Brothers and Sisters
Life with my five brothers and sisters has always been rather trying but I hadn't noticed how trying it was until a little while ago as when the youngest were left in my care.

It was the New Year's Even Dance of 1966. My mother and father and older sister were going and rather than have me alone in our big house with the youngsters they brought us in the camper with them to the dance.

All was going fine until my sister Judy decided she needed a drink of water. To do this she would have to climb over me, my brother Charles below us, and Jimmy, who slept on the floor in the sleeping bag. She was just making it passed me when I moved my leg slightly, unbalancing her. Down she came and landing head first in Charles stomach. Then, somersaulting over, she sat on Jimmy's head.

Two loud wails and one muffled one, rose high into the night. I remember wincing so. I thought how horrible it probably sounded to those at the dance. Climbing down I comforted Judy telling her she was more shocked and frightened than hurt. Then I made her stand up for she was still sitting on Jimmy. Fortunately for him he had covered his head with his pillow before the impact had hit, so he wasn't hurt very bad.

Settling Charles was easy enough. I just told him if he wasn't quiet the "boggy-man" would get him. suddenly I thought the bogey man really would come for even though the children had started clambering again, I could distinctly hear above the road, the sound of slow, heavy footsteps coming this way.

Desperately I clamped a pillow over Charles' mouth, drowned Judy in her drink of water and clasped my hand over Jimmy's mouth. But it was no use. No sooner did I hush one up, when the other would start again. I was ready to give up when suddenly I remembered the trick "Order in the court, speak monkey speak!" I cried above the wail. I yelled it so loud that little David, who was sleeping at the other end of the camper woke up. He would've added to the wailing but the meaning of the words hit him at the same time as the others.

Instantly there was an ominous silence five minutes. I realized then that the footsteps had turned away.

I looked around at my brothers and my sister and saw their own small hands clamped over their white faces; their eyes bulging to see who would be the monkey. It was then that the full hilarity of the situation hit me. In a fit of hysterical laughter I doubled up on the floor and didn't mind at all that I was the monkey.

1969 Ninth, played school volleyball and won an award, graduated Orange Grove Jr High School attended BYU youth academy, made honor roll, Presidential Fitness Award, Award of Merit

Photos: 1969 Ocelot, Orange Grove Jr High Yearbook, Melinda Romney entry. The last photo is of a BYU directory in 1973 which shows a G was the beginning of her middle name.

Melinda Romney was Suzanne’s best friend in High School. The very first time I met Suzanne, Melinda Romney was with her. I gave them a ride home in 1972 from their Laurel’s conference in Glendora which was held in the same building I attended church. I put Melinda in the front seat and Suzanne in the back which, I later found out, did not set well with Suzanne. They were both young and pretty. Because of their ages I didn’t think of them as dating material but enjoyed our conversation on the way back to Hacienda Heights. I believe she married and lived in San Diego after Suzanne and I married.

The summer between 8th and 9th grades was a big step in my life also. I went to a BYU Youth Activity Week and fell in love with the “Y”. I was voted most outstanding girl on my floor. I also got my first kiss that summer when I went to the beach with my MIA group. It was from some beach bum who I was sure was just as sweet and innocent as I was.

1969 Suzanne in brown went to Orange Grove Jr. High School 1967 through 1969. The slightly blurred photo is of her Jr High graduation.

While my Dad never said much, when he did speak, his carefully chosen words enabled me to glimpse the tremendous wisdom and thought behind them. Often I took advantage of and profited from his wise counsel. Once, during my “kicking-out-against-the-pricks” stage in junior high, a minor civil war erupted between my mother and I over my “short skirts”. My father listened quietly during a battle to both my mother’s righteous wrath and my tearful defense. My mother washed her hands of all responsibility for my disobedience. My father was thoughtful for a moment, then concluded I should be mature enough to choose for myself what was modest and wholesome, coming to him for finality in cases of doubt. What a switch! In a twinkling I was transformed from the role of a resentful child into that of a responsible individual. I was pleased at his trust in my ability to make competent decisions, and vowed to live up to that trust. From then on I began to catch the spirit of the law and living the letter became less difficult.

Regarding yesterday’s post: Suzanne may not have done well but I got a trophy for the cha-cha! Jim Jr

Photo: Suzanne's 1969 Jr High Graduation and Johanna’s HS Graduation, same dress.

Dear Grandma,

Thank you so much for your card. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. It was very nice of you to send me that dollar too. After putting ten cents in the tithing I thought and thought about what do do with the ninety cents I had left over. I finally decided to put it in with the money I'm saving for college. Every little big counts and I'm afraid I've let my savings dwindle considerable.

Next year I start 9th grade at Los Altos High School. In four more years I will be graduating like Johanna.

Our graduation ceremonies were real nice. Every one looked so pretty in their suits and new dresses. Many girls had their hair up. My hair is so long and thick that it would be too expensive to have it done so I just washed it and curled the ends. With my brown dress my hair looked blond. We didn't wear gowns at our school. Mr. Jolley our Principal asked Daddy to give the invocation and benediction. We didn't have a main speaker and since Mr. Jolley had liked Daddy's talk at the Baccalaureate Services last year so much he asked him to give the prayers.

Johann's graduation ceremony was right after wards at Los Altos stadium. We dashed over in time to hear hers. It was very nice. All the boys wore blue gowns and all the girls wore white - their school colors. After Graduation Johanna went to the all night party at Disneyland. School let out Thursday June 19. Even though I'm glad summer is here I miss my friends already and it is only June 20!

Daddy might enroll Johanna and I for Summer school at a church organization in Brigham Young University or some place like that. It will be exciting.

How are things your way? Have a pleasant summer.

Love you, Suzanne

1970 Tenth, made a Primary Worker substitute, Youth Fitness Award, graduated Hudson School

In March 1970 Suzanne is a freshman at Los Altos High School. She is called to work in the Primary. She “keeps law and order ” before Primary starts and acts as a substitute teacher. How many 15 year-olds work in the Primary?

Friends and MIA Maid Class

Suzanne: When I was a MIA Maid Class president I went to visit and help an inactive girl who had just moved into the ward. The next year she replaced me as mutual class president. Because of that one act on my part her whole family became reactivated and were sealed together in the temple shortly before her mother died; her youngest brother and brother in law were baptized; her nephew is planning to be baptized when he is 8 and her brother is planning to go on a mission. When I try to live the gospel and act the way the Savior does, I feel a love and closeness to him that can be experienced in no other way.

1970 Letter from Margene Campbell to Suzanne

Here is one for the books. In 1970 Margene Campbell, wife of the California legislator and later Senator Campbell (on right) , wrote a note to Suzanne who was serving in the Primary. Twenty years later Senator Campbell would be instrumental in getting California to pay for a bone marrow transplant to treat her cancer. The Campbell’s were often in the Brown home and were good friends with Jim and Marjorie. He was well respected in California and Hacienda Heights. He died in 2015.

William Campbell served four terms in the Assembly — interrupted by an unsuccessful bid for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1972 — before moving to the Senate in 1976. He was minority leader for four years before leaving the Senate in 1990.Former state Sen. William Campbell, a moderate Republican from Hacienda Heights whose affable style won allies on both sides of the political aisle during his two decades in the Legislature, has died. He was 79.

Brother Campbell was also the Brown's home teacher for years. They enjoyed his visits.

LtR Gray Davis, William Campbell

Summer 1970, Suzanne is 15 and attends Camp Ceder Lake girls camp.

Cedar Lake is an artificial lake in the San Bernardino Mountains of California that has appeared in dozens of Western films. It is the centerpiece of Cedar Lake Camp, a private retreat center owned and operated by Cedar Lake Camp, Inc., a non profit public benefit corporation.^[3]

Located south of the city of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County and San Bernardino National Forest, the lake lies about two hours east of Los Angeles and two hours north of San Diego.

The lake's scenery and proximity to Hollywood made it a popular filming location. It appeared in more than forty films,^[6] including:

Brigham Young (1940)^[7]
High Sierra (1941)^[8] and
The Parent Trap (1961)^[9]

District, Teaches Primary, got an A in French

1970 Poem by Suzanne

Love, like all Godly attributes, is divinely inspired. It’s something to be sought after, and when obtained, nurtured and cherished, protected and added upon by righteous living. Love is sacrifice and giving, being stern and steadfast in truth and principle, but quick to forgive an offender. God is the source of all love. The more like him we become, the more we love. The most Godly of all attributes is the ability to love. Suzanne

1970 LtR Suzanne, Judy, David, Jim Jr, Jim, Marjorie

1971 Suzanne is 16 years old, a few months before turning 16.

1970 Brian 1

When someone I am very close to, Marie, was a freshman and sophomore in high school, she developed a big crush on Brian, an older LDS boy in a ward that shared the same building as hers. He would show up for seminary with his younger brother Dave, and visit with her in the church patio before, after, and sometimes during seminary, then give Marie, her best friend Linda, his brother Dave, and Dave's girlfriend Marcia, a ride to school in his new yellow Camaro.

Brian was 22 years old, and had recently returned from serving in the Marines in Viet Nam. Since he was older and so much more experienced than all the other boys at school and church, he seemed so much more fascinating to Marie and her best friend, Linda, a great surfer, had a marvelous tan, gorgeous thick blond hair, and sometimes grew a mustache and beard, he sang in a rock band with his brother Dave and some other LDS youth and was the best dancer that Marie had ever seen. Break-dancing was popular even then, and when Brian met Marie at school and church dances, everyone cleared the floor to watch them dance together. Everyone soon accepted Brian as Marie's guy, and it gave her a tremendous source of pride to show him off to her school friends.

While in Viet Nam, Brian had begun drinking and doing drugs, and while he never did this in front of Marie and Linda, it was nevertheless common knowledge among the kids at church, it was rumored that several boys in his ward , particularly his brother and the guys in the rock band, began to pick up the same habits. Somehow, these things just added to his sophistication and worldly mystique. Marie's parents did not approve of Brian, and so Marie usually arranged to meet him without telling her parents.

A few months before Marie turned 16, the high school sponsored a Sadie Hawkins Dance, and everyone, including Brian assumed that she was going to ask him to go with her. She hadn't figured out how she was going to get around her parents No-Dating-Until-Sixteen Rule, but she imagined that she could easily meet him at her girlfriend Linda's. As the time drew nearer for the dance, however, Marie's conscience began to bother her. Mentally she began comparing him to another young man in her ward who was a priest and senior in high school. This young man, whose name was Ken, was president of his seminary class and active in school politics. He was wholesome and clean cut, and every Sunday worthily blessed the Sacrament. Even though Marie rarely talked or associated with Ken, she watched him every Sunday sitting up at the Sacrament table, so handsome in his suit and his humble but confidant manner, and in her heart she yearned to have a boyfriend like him. The Sunday before the dance she asked Ken after church if he would go with her. He said that he would think about it and let her know. Well, the next morning, at seminary, Ken told Marie that he decided no, and did not tell her why. Marie thought that it was because he was hoping another girl in the ward would ask him. Although she was mortified, she knew that Brian was still expecting her to ask him. She debated in her mind whether or not to go ahead and ask Brian as her second choice, her best friend Linda came up to her and asked... .are you going to ask Brian or aren’t you? Because, if you're not, I wondered if it would be alright with you if I asked him to go with me?"

Marie thought about this a bit, and knew that if she told Linda to go ahead and ask Brian, that she would probably end up staying home that night, one of the few girls in the church and school who did. But she also knew that in her heart she had made a commitment to like the kind of young man that Ken represented, and be the kind of girl that he would like to go with, even though he had turned her down. So she pretended that she didn't care and told Linda to go ahead.

That Saturday night Marie stayed home with her family, washed her hair, went to bed early, and tried not to feel sorry for herself. She comforted herself with the knowledge that the next day she could call Linda and she would tell her everything that happened.

The next morning in church, Marie did not see Linda, so she anxiously called her when she got home, only to find out that Linda had spent the night in jail! and had only just been released. It seems that Linda's parents had let her go on a double date with Brian and his brother Dave and Dave's girlfriend Marcia, all of whom were LDS, even though Linda was not 16 yet. They had had a wonderful time at the dance, and after wards, went to Taco Bell. About 1 am, a police car pulled up beside them and the police searched them and the car and found some marijuana and other drugs in the trunk. They impounded the car and threw all of them in jail. They separated the boys and girls and put them in separate drunk tanks--one for men and the other for women. Linda described the terror she and Brian felt spending the night in this dismal room with prostitutes, drunks, and drug addicts, the vomit on though floor, the graffiti on the walls, the bare light bulb, exposed toilet, the foul language of the occupants, the humility of being thoroughly searched by female police officers etc. These two LDS girls, who had gone with LDS boys whom they knew had bad standards, huddled together in a corner of the jail and sang primary songs together throughout the remainder of the night, until their parents could come and get them. Charges against the girls were dropped, but Brian faced some years in jail and several thousand dollars in fines because this was a second offense for him.

Marie was stunned. She went outside to climb an old avocado tree and ponder this while waiting for her father to get home so she could tell him. Suddenly the standards that her parents upheld seemed less restrictive and more protective than ever. As she pondered this and prayed to ask the Lord to bless and help Brian, she began praying for herself too, as she realized how close she had come to spending the night in jail instead of Linda. She knew that she had no business even associating with a boy like Brian, and the more she thought about it, the harder she began to pray for the Lord's help in her life for the first time— Then as still as a summer's day, she felt the Lord speak peace to her mind and spirit, and assure her that he had been with her in the past, was with her now, and would still be with her in the future. This was a turning point in Marie's life and personal standards. A few months later she began to go with a young man who was preparing himself to go on a mission.

PS:
Brian was released: illegal search procedure on the part of the policeman; but that incident marked a great change in my life. I began doing some intense self-evaluation and interior redecorating, so to speak. I began rejecting the standards of the world and striving to make gospel principles the foundation of my character. I began studying the scriptures and praying daily—I hadn’t been because my conscience bothered me too much when I did before. I became extremely concerned for the welfare of others and began making an effort to notice those who were left out of activities or were lonely or inactive at church—remembering my own acute self-consciousness. I was called to be Mia Maid class president in my sophomore year in high school. I centered all of my energies and ability on my girls in my class and anyone else I thought needed help. I helped bring up the activity of the class from 50% to 95%. Many of the girls who were inactive just needed to feel wanted. When a girl didn’t come to mutual I wrote her a letter or called her up.

I became very concerned about the example I set before others, realizing that the best way I could help “my girls” was to show them how to live. I couldn’t expect them to do anything that I wasn’t doing.

I also began going around with a very fine young man who soon left on his mission. Although he always been more of a buddy than a boyfriend, I sat him or (or rather the type of person he is), up as a standard, an ideal by which I have since judged all other young men. He has influenced my life more for good by the type of individual he is than any other person outside my own family.

In short, I think I really matured and grew up when I began to establish as priorities in my own life the gospel principles, think of others, and learn that the world didn’t revolve totally around me.

During High School Suzanne’s best friend was Melinda Romney. They did some crazy stuff. When I met Suzanne a year in 1972 they were going to a Laurel event together in Glendora.

Page from Suzanne’s Los Altos Sophomore HS Yearbook. Suzanne is 16.

Suzanne 4th from left three rows down from back

≈

Suzanne near pole

1971 Drivers training

1972 Twelvelth

Second love Terry Blocker

1972 August 25, 3 a.m. Dinkey Creek

Dear Terry.

What in the world am I doing writing a letter at this time in the morning. Well, it's a long story.

I'm still up at Dinkey Creek. We'' be leaving Saturday morning (26th). Dinkey Creek is really Fresno Municipal camp. About 20 families in our stake rented it for the week. And I AM BORED OUT OF MY GOURD! There are only 3 other kids my age and older....one's married, one left 2 days ago and the other is square much like my brother. I'm surprised he isn't. All he ever does is play chess all day long anyway (what a drag).

The surroundings up here are beautiful - clear blue skies, tall pine trees, creeds and fresh water ponds to swim in, a big full moon every night etc. It's great if your a little kid "cuz there's millions of other little kids to play in the dirt, mud water with. Or if I were 14 like my little sister I could follow all the 15, 15 year old guys around and giggle and be really dumb. Or if I were an adult I could sit around the campfire at night singing old songs, tell jokes and stories and reminisce about the good old days, and crochet or play horseshoes by day.

Well I figured if you can't beat 'em join 'em. so I had my first motorcycle lesson and learned how to ride it...in first gear only. Next lesson, I learn how to shift gears and let out the clutch without killing it., I played a ping pong tournament and lost twice to two girls, both younger and half my size. I sit around the campfires and occasionally even contribute a dead joke. I even sit i the dirt and the mud and the water and play with the little kids; Oh! I'll have you know my team won in volleyball twice.

Tomorrow (oops! today) I'll have a chess lesson, toss a few horseshoes and maybe just maybe I'll take up crocheting. Don't get your hopes up, though. (Sorry this writing is weird, but it's hard to write in bed by flashlight). Anyhow even with this I'm still bored. I can't stand not doing things or having to do things or something. So another girl and I put our heads together and planned some fun. We got all the kids together and played some games like spoons, jynx up, water balloon toss and a tug of war (with a mud puddle in the middle). For prizes we have whip cream, shaving cream spray cans, water guns and water balloons and we all had a rip roaring fight. then, when every one was plastered, we all ran down to the creek and jumped in, clothes and all. Above the creek there's a steep wall of rick and we climb up there and jump off. You might think you';ll hit bottom since the deepest part of the ponds about 4 feet but you don't.

So why 3 am.? I'm waiting at the hour for your letter. well after skits tonight. Delp and I ran to the store bought some toilet paper and are waiting for everybody to get really deep in sleep, then we'll plaster the place. Maybe it's dumb but when your desperate for anything. Don't make the mistake of confusing fun with immaturity. There's quiet a difference. Well it's time to wake up and get busy. Good Bye Suzanne.

PS.

Brian was released: illegal search procedure on the part of the policeman; but that incident marked a great change in my life. I began doing some intense self-evaluation and interior redecorating, so to speak. I began rejecting the standards of the world and striving to make gospel principles the foundation of my character. I began studying the scriptures and praying daily—I hadn’t been because my conscience bothered me too much when I did before. I became extremely concerned for the welfare of others and began making an effort to notice those who were left out of activities or were lonely or inactive at church—remembering my own acute self-consciousness. I was called to be Mia Maid class president in my sophomore year in high school. I centered all of my energies and ability on my girls in my class and anyone else I thought needed help. I helped bring up the activity of the class from 50% to 95%. Many of the girls who were inactive just needed to feel wanted. When a girl didn’t come to mutual I wrote her a letter or called her up.

I became very concerned about the example I set before others, realizing that the best way I could help “my girls” was to show them how to live. I couldn’t expect them to do anything that I wasn’t doing.

I also began going around with a very fine young man who soon left on his mission. Although he always been more of a buddy than a boyfriend, I sat him or (or rather the type of person he is), up as a standard, an ideal by which I have since judged all other young men. He has influenced my life more for good by the type of individual he is than any other person outside my own family.

In short, I think I really matured and grew up when I began to establish as priorities in my own life the gospel principles, think of others, and learn that the world didn’t revolve totally around me.

Back row, L to R: Dan, Terry & Kelly Blocker. Front row: Johanna, Suzanne in front of Kelly. Picture is undated. The girl on the right and below are unknown.

1973

A Dream

When I was a little girl I used to dream about being a queen someday of being one of the brightest most beautiful stars in the Heavens and of having for my husband someone as great and wonderful as Heavenly Father. I never dreamt that it was possible until I learned more about the gospel and found out that it was. I am trying to do everything I can to make it possible. I am not going to do anything that will not make it possible.

I am going to wait for that young man whom the Lord has selected for me and with him I am going to be married in the temple so that we might attain eternal exaltation with each other and every loved one and create worlds for our posterity in the hereafter. I can think of no reason that would exclude me from receiving these rights and blessings as a daughter of God. And I can't think of a reason to exclude each one of you from attaining those privileges.

I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that this church is true. I know that my Dad, President Smith and President Miner are inspired servants of God. I know because the Spirit has born witness to the truth of it to me. And I know that it will do the same to you if you will but pray and ask it. I have a testimony of the church and its programs. I know that Seminary program is inspired. I'm grateful to it for what it has taught me, for helping me increase my testimony and for the close association it has brought me with other of my Father in Heavenly children. I say these things in the Name of Jesus Christ Amen

1973 BYU till Dec of 1974 or three semisters, scuba certified, graduation from HS in June, fall 1973 Suzanne almost gets straight A-. June, Los Altos HS Graduation. Suzanne spoke at her own graduation:

1973, June, 18 years old

Suzanne’s HS Graduation Speech

One day a youth came to the great teacher Socrates and daring him,

said, "Teach me." That wise old sage looked calmly into the eyes of the defiant and impatient young man, and saying not a word, but taking him by the hand, he led him towards the sea. Farther and farther into the roaring surf the teacher led his unwilling pupil. Confused, the youth tried to pull away as the water rose up about his shoulders. Relentlessly Socrates moved out, and then, turning to his pupil, he grabbed his herd and held it under. The youth thrashed wid1y about, but still the teacher kept him under until his struggling nearly ceased. quickly he brought him to the surface, and asked the gasping youth, "What did you want more than anything else?" "Air!" the young man shouted, exasperated. "When you want to learn as much as you wanted air, that is when you'll have no need of me!

Over three and a half years ago, we, the class of '73, came to this school like the youth, with hands outstretched, defiant, impatient, and daring to be taught. Calmly, patiently., and perhaps at times impatiently, our teachers, counselors and administrators, families, and friends have led us to a great ocean of knowledge and opportunity. We received in direct proportion to what we gave. Today we walk away accountable only to ourselves for what we take with us.

We are on the threshold of life, the crossroads of the future. Now is the time when we will be making so many vital decisions that will effect our eternity. We have exalted notions, feelings, and ideas. We're un-humbled by time, nor yet have learned many of life's limitations.

Each of us marching to the tune of whatever drummer we hear, has already mapped a blue print of his life. . By the series of decisions and influences, which have led us up to this point in our lives, most of us here have already determined which direction we’ll take. It is up to us with the help that you have given us to begin now constructing foundations under our castles in the sky.

When choosing the material to build our dreams, let us look to past generations and choose that which is noble and has withstood the test of time. Let us also learn from their mistakes so that future generations can look to ours when constructing their own ideals. Among the building materials let us choose personal integrity, empathy, faith and humility, wisdom and understanding, knowledge, gratitude, and a conscience void of offense towards God and all men.

Aim for the stars, my fellow classmates for he who aims beneath them, aims too low. Never fear of shooting higher than you can reach. Remember, an arrow aimed at the sun shall always fly higher than one aimed at an object on the same level with yourselves.

“He aims too low who aims beneath the starts.” Quote on Congress building

1973 Suzanne and Terry Blocker, HS Graduation

Photo in senior yearbook.

1973 Summer worked modeling at May Co.,

1973 Fall went to BYU:

Could be Brad

1973 Suzanne went to BYU for a year beginning in the fall

In a letter to her parents she said:

Brad is really a special guy. He’s both an unusual young man and an unusually fine young man. We had a nice week together. I hope he can come up for conference……I've met and made several friends ump here. Brad has a good buddy up here, and he and his wife and I have become good friends. I went out for Pizza with them last Friday evening after Allan finished working in the BYU Bookstore. He helped me pick out a birthday present for Brad.

Letter from Suzanne to Brad fall 1973

Dear Brad,

I experienced my first snowfall!. Oh sure, I've seen snow before. Every few years my parents would reluctantly succumb to the clamoring of my brothers and sisters and I to "play in the snow", pack us into the car₁ and cart the family up to Mount Baldy. Usually, by the time we could convince them to go, it would be so late in the season the snow would obviously be in its last stages of existence. It had melted and refrozen, melted and refrozen many different times and had been kicked up and trampled upon by so many tourists, that when we finally got to "play in it", the "snow" was kind of a salt-and-pepper slush, ice. As you can see, my past encounter with snow of any kind has been limited.

The skies had been dark and rather ominous all day Wednesday. As I hurried from my English class to the library, a girl walking behind exclaimed, "it's snowing!" I peered up at the sky expectantly and watched a few white flecks float gently along, riding a light breeze like autumn leaves sometimes do. "This is snow?” I thought. I was incredulous. I'm not sure what I was looking for. Having seen you shudder, turn blue in the face, and cringe every time you referred to the cold snow and gripping winters here in Provo, I guess I was expecting a loud thunderous announcement a legion of trumpeters or the like, heralding its advent. 'The flakes coasted gracefully along like feathers escaping from a pillow. They reminded me of the fuzzy down of dandelion seeds after you blow them. Hitchhikers, they attached themselves to the fur on my coat sleeves and took up their journey with me, bouncing along to my gait. I shook my arm vigorously and they detach themselves, once more joining the stream of others drifting by. I stuck out my hand to catch one, which alighted daintily on my palm and immediately vanished. Some flakes dropped gracefully onto my plastic notebook and paused a moment for me to study their lacy geometrical design, then melted into little droplets of water. The cement became polka dotted with little wet spots, while the flakes, suspended in their flight, rested gently on the grass and bushes. I chuckled to myself as the little white specks here and there made me think of dandruff.

The cascade increased, tumbling down like Styrofoam shavings dropping out of huge invisible bin slowly overturning. It was powdered sugar falling from a gray blanket. As it dampened the ground, I could smell the wet earth. I shrank inside my coat and hurried into the warm library and found a seat in the lounge by a window. Now the snow looked like flour falling from a sifter when you turn the handle as fast as you can. It sprinkled everything, and the fading trees, bushes, grass, and buildings reminded me of ginger snaps dusted with sugar. Figures hurrying in and out of the white veil became blurred arid shadowy Colors vanished and vision became two-tone--either white or non-white.

I sat up straight on the edge of my seat, my eyes popping, and the muscles in my stomach knotted tightly. I'm sure I must have looked very much like your sister Kimmie did when you first brought me over to meet the family--her eyes dancing with interest and her limbs taut with excitement as she squealed, Is this her?" I clapped my hands and broke the silence of the library by exclaiming delightedly, "Oh, look at it snowing!" The bent heads and hunched shoulders around me didn't move. The girl on my left looked up at me sharply and cocked her head inquisitively, puzzled expression on her face. I sunk back into the creases of the couch and bit my lip.

Gradually the white veil thinned out and lifted so gentle was not aware that it had been snowing one minute and not the next. I grabbed my books and ran out of the building into the glistening and white-washed world. The snow spread softly over everything: on the ground like a plush white carpet, and on the bushes like cream on breakfast cereal before it slides to the bottom of the bowl. The snow hung in clumps on the trees, and reminded me of a song I used to sing in Primary. You may have sung it--"Popcorn popping on the Apricot Tree". The trees were blossoming little white snow buds.

I raised my foot and planted it carefully into the flawless gleaming blanket. It sank quickly. I raised it again and watched the snow gradually fill in the imprint until the outline was furry and barely perceptible. I reached down to clutch the cold foam and only clutched wet nothingness. Scooping up a hand full of foam, I tossed it into the air. The fluff settled softly to the ground. Using both hands, I gathered another pile and compacted it into a small fist-sized ball. 1 stretched back my arm and chucked the snowball a few yards in front of me, several feet short of my mark. It felt like throwing a Wiffle ball, it was so light, and airy. Scooping up another hand full, I took a mouthful. It vanished instantly, like cold, wet, tasteless cotton candy. I pinched and pressed another band full into a small piece of ice, and I bit off a piece. It tasted like hard rainwater. The sharp air hurt my lungs as I took a deep breath, twirled around, and stretched my arms out as far as I could. I felt indescribably delicious on this brilliant afternoon. (I'm sure someday I may become so familiar with snow that I'll non-react like the students in the library, or come to dread it like you, but just for this one ecstatic moment I wanted to savor and enjoy this experience as much as possible.

1973 BYU Halloween

1973 November 9,

BYU Assignment #3, 18 years old

Dear Brad,

Brad

A Garden, Strangled by Weeds English 111, 1973

My dear,

I have been very concerned lately about the complete change that has come over you in the last few months. Indeed, I think a better word to describe how I have been feeling is disturbed, so much so, that I have not been able to eat, sleep, do schoolwork, or anything of the last three weeks. I have met a very sensitive, deeply spiritual and emotional young man whom I loved very much and who was striving very hard to live as his Father in Heaven would have him, seems to become absolutely unreasonable, hard and very proud, oblivious to any point of view other than his own selfish ambitions.

I remember the first time I met you. It was at a Regional Young Adult activity last July. You were squatting on the ground during the lunch box auction by your friend Jack and you both glanced over at me. Your friendly, easy-going smile and twinkling blue eyes deeply impressed me. It seemed forever until we finally got around to introducing our selves before the evening was over. I asked you what your plans for the future were and you replied, to be a good member of the church. I started to explain what I had meant by the question when it occurred to me what could be more important than your answer? The rest of the evening passed too quickly. It seemed there wasn’t anything we didn’t have in common, even in the books we were reading. I was touched by your patriotism, love of freedom and keen interest in American’s history and destiny; your tremendous desire to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He called you, especially in working with others to spread the gospel like you had done on your mission; your desire to someday have a family and your eagerness to teach them the gospel; your sensitivity towards and enjoyment of beautiful literature (particularly Shakespeare) and nature. I remember you said there had hardly been a better feeling in your short life as that produced by the opportunity you had to make a meal from the food grown in your own garden. Something about being close to the earth brought you nearer to God and other people. You offered to take me home and as I ran outside to tell my girlfriend I had another ride, I jumped up and down and shouted, “ I found him, I found him! He’s the one!”

We spent as much time as possible together before I had to leave for college. We went to the Los Angeles Temple Visitor’s Center with a girlfriend of mine who was investigating the church, and you bought her a copy of A Marvelous Work and A Wonder by Le Grand Richards. You came over for Family Home Evening, gave the lesson, and brought me a beautiful bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums. We went to see “Romeo and Juliet” and the beauty of the deep passion and powerful words so moved you, you wept probably the only man in the whole theatre who did, and were unashamed.

You proudly showed me your garden. The tender tops of radishes and carrots were sprouting up in green profusion. There were a few weeds that needed to be pulled you said, but it was coming along pretty well. I remember how you wanted to be completely honest with me and so told me about a rather serious mistake you made over a year ago with a girl you had been going with. It was hard for you to talk and I watched a tear roll down your cheek. I loved you and forgave you with all my heart. We prayed together, usually going into my father’s study after a date and kneeling by the couch holding hands. I had never felt such intense joy or sweet peace as I did being with you, especially in these precious unforgettable moments. We read each other’s patriarchal blessings and thrilled to see how similar both of them were. We shared our inner space and shyly told the other of our love and special feelings of rightness about the other. We wanted so much for our relationship to be an uplifting, exalting one, and we vowed to be very careful about the way we acted around each other.

While I was away at school we were both going to pray and read the scriptures daily, and you would go to the temple as much as possible. You came all the way up to see me at school for a few days and stayed a whole week. Remember when we drove up through Provo Canyon to have a picnic? That was the happiest time of my entire life. The hills were beginning to blush and turn a burnished gold; everything was radiant because we were. We held hands and dreamed of our future together. You said you loved me and of all things you wanted most in life, I was at the top. I believed you, trusted you, and loved you with all my heart.

A month passed anxiously, and I didn’t hear from you. Then came a very short, one side of the page letter. You had been too busy with your paint business to think about writing at all. You hadn’t gone anywhere with anyone but your sister since you last saw me. I was a good girl and had helped you out a lot by just being around you, but I was up in Utah among all the good Mormons and going my way while you were working at home among the Gentiles and going your way. You signed it, “Work hard, Brad.” I didn’t understand I was confused and hurt. The next two weeks were hell until I finally was able to go home and confront you.

I was surprised that you didn’t seem to mind coming by the house and talking. You followed me into the study and I shut the door. At my request, we kneeled in prayer by the couch and you gave it. This time we did not hold hands and the space between us was awkward. Your words were sweet, but they washed over me; there was no spirit carried with them to touch my heart. It was like watching a man get up to speak, seeing his mouth move, and hearing no words, or consuming a luscious banquet and walking away still hungry.

You sat in the rocking chair, leaned you head against the wooden back, and watched me coolly beneath your eyelashes, while I squirmed uncomfortably on the edge of a padded chair across from you. We looked at each other a minute, embarrassed, not knowing what to say. I plunged in and began, then periodically asked questions and commented while you did most of the talking. I stared at you, blinking, with my eyebrows knit together. You were pleasant to watch as you spoke freely and unconcerned in a calm, matter of fact way, but your words shocked me and your manner, attitude, and spirit disturbed me considerably. Was this the same man that had so captivated my heart a little while ago?

You woke up one day you said, and discovered you didn’t feel the same about me any more. Yes, you agreed that meant you must not have ever really loved or wanted me. You admitted you were afraid of man-woman relationship. You were afraid of being hurt, blowing it, or being stuck with the wrong girl. No, you were not going to do anything about trying to make sure you wouldn’t blow it. Women were silly and you had nothing in common with them. They should all be married and have children, you said. But as for you: you wanted no part of them or marriage. You had made up your mind when you were very little that you did not want any affection from anybody. (I heard you speak earlier of a certain religion teacher on campus that had been your mission president and you gave your opinion that he was effeminate. I wonder, my dear Brad, what your idea of a man is?) You would not date, and didn’t like having your emotions dependent on another individual. You wanted to be your own man, master of your own destiny. Maybe if everyone rode your back hard enough and since you can’t get anywhere in this church or the celestial kingdom without a wife you might go out and grab someone when you reached about thirty or so. Yes, you felt sorry for whomever you grabbed, but that’s just tough. Life is too exciting and you have too much you want to do. You really wouldn’t mind being a hermit except that you would miss people and you needed them, they made you happy. Anyway, all you cared about right now was getting this business venture of yours successful. No you weren’t doing it for money. You still slept on the floor and ate only one meal a day. You had moved out of the house into an apartment with a friend and while did not mention it I knew that your garden lay neglected at home, the weeds choking and strangling what little life was left. You just wanted to help other men by giving them jobs, and once the business was successful you could leave and they would be able to carry on, enjoying the benefits of your labors for several years. (I wonder, my dear Brad, if you really believe helping a person achieve economically is going to truly make them better off and bring them happiness in life.) You were going to do in life exactly what you wanted to do you said, and no one was going to persuade you differently. (You have this obsession about your implacable will and being able to accomplish whatever you make up your mind to.) You shrugged. Yes, you supposed it was pride. If going to the celestial kingdom meant you couldn’t do what you wanted to do in life, you guessed you really didn’t want to go. Like you got involved with that girl over a year ago, you did that because you wanted to. You were going to do anything you made up your mind to. Anyway, you were a good member of the church. The reason you didn’t have a job was because you were too transient; you’re here one minute and somewhere else the next. When you got to be a Bishop someday though, you were going to have the best ward in the church. (You made becoming a Bishop should like rising up in the military ranks, and leading a ward sound like running a corporation. I wonder, my dear Brad, how you ever expect to be called to such a position with your present attitude, closed-minded arrogance, and unwillingness to change or follow anybody? Well, it was getting late, you said. You were very tired and you thought it was time to go.

While you were talking I had been rooted in my chair, my eyes fixed on you in a kind of fascinated trance. Your image and the colors had gradually faded away until I sat looking at the pale form with small dark holes for eyes and a black rag for hair. The form had seemed a little transparent and it was as though I weren’t seeing you there at all. It was as if I were looking at your spirit. It was a strange sensation and I had to repress a shiver. The weird feeling stayed with me even as I stood and looked at the door that shut behind you for a long time. Finally I shook my head and said over and over, “he’s crazy, he’s really crazy.”

Your words and the feeling I had listening to you speak, have haunted me ever since. I don’t know why, but that experience was like suddenly coming upon your garden and discovering the once green and tender life choked and dying, strangled by weeds.

1973 BYU Directory

1974 Met Kent, May Reed Bradford, a favorite teacher of Suzanne's writes her a letter. Dec

The photo above is of the Brown family in the spring of 1974. Johanna’s first son Ben is the infant held by Dr. Brown.

1974 Wednesday July 10, 19 years old

Know Your Religion

Supposed to go to Grandma’s do dinner with family but changes in plans: grandparents went to Solvang got to go to Education week. Tried all day to get in touch with Buddy Hughes so he could come with me, but couldn’t reach him. I had a lot of things I needed to do that night but wanted to go to Education Week in Laverne stake. Went to Truman Madsen. Saw Kent there. For some reason felt like talking to him (never before was interested.) I enjoyed it. I asked him to walk me out to the car and he asked me out. I was surprised…pleasantly. (If this is the right thing for me to go HF make it possible

July I go to a Know your Religion talk in Claremont to hear Truman Madsen speak on the “Steak and the Sizzle”. He tells us that women like the sizzle or romance and men just want the steak or affection. I am sitting on the front row and spy Kent on the back row and decided to walk back and sit next to him. Afterwards he walks me out to the car, an old Jaguar, and we talk for a long time and eventually he asks me out to a Dodger game. When I get home I realize that it is the same night as a friends wedding reception that I really want to go to. I beg my mother to change the date but she won’t let me.

Kent: It is interesting to me how many things have to fall into place to make our marriage happen. In 1973 I had to live in Glendora, be teaching a Sunday School class next to the phone on a certain Sunday and walk out and see Suzanne in the hallway on the phone. Her brother had to be hours late picking her up for her to be on the phone. I struck up a conversation and offered her and her friend a ride home. The timing was perfect.

One year and four months later, in 1974 she wants to go to Know Your Religion with a friend. But she can’t reach him. So she goes alone and when she sees me sitting up front by myself she walks up and asks if I would like to sit by her. I say yes. Six months before I get temple worthy and begin attending the temple again. Suzanne has grown up a lot during the intervening year at BYU and has had four relationships since she was 16. She is ready to date. Again, great timing.

In the middle of something as miraculous as it seems like good fortune. But looking back all I see is the Lord’s hand.

From the time Kent took Melinda and Suzanne home from their Laurel activity until they met at a Ed Week talk was 1 year 4 months 17 days.

1973, Time passes
1973 Kent drives his newly restored MGBTD around San Gabriel valley and occasionally he considers visiting Suzanne, however he discards the idea when he considers how young she is. He also sees her at a couple of dances but because she is so young he doesn’t approach her.

First Date

1974, Friday July 19

Dodger Game

Planning to go to Dodger Game with Kent. Remembered it was Wayne Hedges Wedding Reception. Had been planning to go for a year. I entertained the idea of throwing myself at Kent’s feet and crying out my dilemma. My mother discouraged me. I got ready for game and went, resignedly. Had a simple delightful evening. Was very surprised and glad my mother discouraged me from carrying out my plan. We he said he didn’t believe in using physical forces on children, I hugged him (or rather his arm.) I couldn’t resist. I decided right then this Kent Gardiner was really something worth looking into. He fascinated me (sat on floor)

Between their first meeting on July 10 and the first date was 9 days. Next date 4 days, next date 4 days, 3 days, 3 days, 1 day, 2 days, 2 days etc.

1974, Tuesday July 23

Broadway Plaza

Kent picked me up from work. We went to the top of Broadway Plaza to their cocktail Lounge that revolves around: Angel Flight. We had orange juice. Then we had dinner at Marie Calendar pies. His interest in communication fascinates me. He kept teasing me and putting me on the spot so I confronted him. I told him how Bishop Cluff had a crush on his third grade teacher and so threw a rock at her. I asked him if he was throwing rocks at me. He admitted he was (I think he has a crush on me).

Third date

1974, Saturday July 2

Schubert Theater

We went to the Schubert Theater so see “A Little Night music” The play didn’t do too much for me but Kent sure did. I couldn’t believe how much he turned me on. It was frightening, a little because I enjoyed it so much. I would have liked him to kiss me so much I was afraid he would. After the play we walked around century Plaza Hotel. As he was leaving (walking out to the car) my mother suggested he come in for cookies and milk. I ran outside, hoping I could catch him. I did and we had a nice chat. I think he was feeling a little bad because he knew I didn’t really like the play. I’m glad we talked and he came in.

Kent was really beginning to affect me. I was terribly infatuated with him and very physically attracted to him. So much so it embarrassed me. I wanted to do the right thing really bad so I began praying to ask heavenly Father that I could hurry up and start to really care for him so I could get those “lustful” feeling under control.

There’s such a difference between love and lust I know that when you really care for someone, you are concerned with their growth, happiness and fulfillment more than your own gratification and desires. I communicated this strong attraction for Kent to my dad. He said that when he and my mother were going to gather there was really a strong physical attraction between them. But he loved her so much he didn’t want anything to happen to her that would hurt her. She often told him that he made her feel precocious and treasured. I decided that I wanted to love Kent that was. I decided to try concentrating on serious spiritual things when I was with him.

He excited me so much that in a week’s time I went out and bought nail polish lipstick, earrings, and really began to fuss over how I looked and what I wore. It was all so ridiculous I felt like I was 15 and had never been interested in anyone before. I was getting a kick out of watching my own reactions.

1974

Kent and Suzanne meet at Ed. Week, July 10

First date, July 19, Kent Suzanne, Dodger Stadium

Marie Calendar Pies Date July 23

Schubert Theatre July 27

Hollywood Bowl July 30

First kiss August 2 (we had dated 3 weeks, 2 days before kissing)

Disneyland August 3

F.H.E. with Browns, August 5

Date to U.E.S., August 7

Queen Mary, August 9

Dinner at Gardiners, August 11

Hollywood Bowl, August 13

Montclair Plaza, August 14

Listen to Classical music, August 15

Castiac, August 16

Luau, August 17

Decide to marry, August 20

Hollywood Bowl, August 23 with Jim and Marjorie

Suzanne goes to BYU, Beg Sept.

U.E.S., Kent begins work, August

First poem from Suzanne:

1974, August 5,

Love
Tonight I told Kent Gardiner that I was beginning to love him very much. It was our sixth date. Crazy.

To love you
After so short a time
Is as natural as if
You had opened a door
Walked in
And sat down beside me.

It seems incredible
That anything like this should ever happen to me
I’m really not complaining;
I’m just wondering what
I ever did without “we.”
You are springtime after a long winter.

Your mouth is warm
I think I could get drunk on your kisses.

Analysis, summer 1974

(upon thinking of Kent at 1/15)
Kent's his name

Psych's his fame--

Words, words

ESP is for the birds

Let's keep this field respectable

Burgess in a plane worked be rejectable

Bore, bore

The world's a whore

The body's desired by all mankind

No one wants me for my mind.

What? What?

Repetitious of a brat.

Let's grow up in this hayday

And listen to what I've go to say

Kent's his name

Psych's his fame

A big world he's got to tame.

The longest poem Suzanne wrote to me was Desert Boy. Two weeks ago I read a book on near death experiences. Millions of people have had experiences where they die, see the spirit world and come back to life and tell about it. They talk about cities, trees, flowers, homes, classrooms, missionary work, seeing relatives and/or Joseph Smith and Jesus. While I view my 20 years with Suzanne as filled with joy and healing, the poem could also be viewed as prophecy of our future life together. Kent

Come, desert boy and walk with me awhile…
And together we will look
For the beautiful celestial city
Where Enoch, Abraham, and the Gods
Dwell.

I will make for you an oasis
Of love and acceptance,
And with a balm of understanding
Soothe your dry aching feet
From the hot desert sand.

I will fill your heart with a
Melody of joy,
And together we will laugh,
And weep,
And discover the hidden treasures
Of life
That most do not see.

We will bask in the light of the Son,
And run through the fields of prosperity;
Sit under an oak of righteousness
And listen to the warbling song of
Truth.

We will draw long upon the cool waters
Of purity
And raise a brimming chalice
To the thirsty and dry;
We will feast upon the nectar of
Service,
And breathe deeply the sweet fragrance
Of forgiveness.

We’ll wear stewardship as a garland
And pluck the flowers of opportunity;
We’ll sift through golden shafts of knowledge,
And create a bouquet
As a gift,
For anyone who wants it.

We’ll walk a path of diligence,
And take from the timber of faith and obedience
Lumber to build temples,
Sturdy and strong,
That will shield us from storms
That will surely come.

And when they come..
When mountains of despair
Overshadow you,
When valleys of loneliness yawn to
Engulf
And hot winds of hate
And insensitivity
Lash you and whip you about…
I will not leave you;

I will stand by your side and
Together
We will look for the dawn
That also,
Must surely follow the night.

How long our paths lie parallel
I cannot say’
But if I bring warm rains
Of compassion
That fall softly
Upon the vast wastelands
Of your soul,
Until it is fertile
With the promise of harvest
And rich with life and hope;
If the journey was pleasant
And the city
Brighter,
Closer
More with reach;
Then
Come, desert boy and
Walk with me awhile.

1974 September 8

Campus Plaza – Proposal

Suzanne: Kent asked me to marry him tonight while we were sitting in the gutter. I told him yes.

Suzanne: After I got settled in Campus Plaza, Kent came up to see me that first weekend in September (7th and 8th). I remember sitting out front with him on the curb with our feet in the street gutter talking about getting married when I said to him, "Hey, do you realize that you've never officially asked me to marry you?" And so he said, by the way, would you marry me? Of course I said yes. Then I called to some passersby, "Hey! This guy just asked me to marry him!" They looked kind of askance at us, and we laughed. Our courtship and love had come along so quickly and naturally that we had just began to assume that we would get married.

We tentatively set January 18th as the date. I wanted a few weeks after I got home from this semester at BYU to get ready. Kent really wanted to get married in December during his 2-week vacation from teaching. We made a list of pros and cons, consulted other people, and prayed about it. Then we changed the date to Dec 21. I panicked once--it was so soon and we would have to do everything while apart from each other. But then I felt good about it after talking and thinking about it some more.

We called up my parents and told them. I remember that my mother wasn't too thrilled with the timing. She was planning a trip to Egypt and Israel with my grandmother and was overwhelmed at the prospects of marrying a daughter off a couple of months after her return--especially when this daughter was going to be several hundred miles away at school up until just before the wedding.

We decided to have the reception at my folk’s home in Hacienda Heights. It was big, less formal and easier to decorate than the church cultural hall, and there is a nice warm feeling about a home that we wanted at our reception.

Suzanne had this photo below done in the fall of 1974 at BYU while we were writing back and forth waiting to get married. It was her wedding gift to me and my favorite photo of her.

1974

Kent and Suzanne married, Dec. 21 12:25 pm by Pres. Evans

Honeymoon, Dec. 26, to Carmel and up to San Francisco.

1975

Chad conception in Malta

1976

Chad Gardiner born, May 8, 9:45 am 21inches/8lb 11oz

Chad smiles, May 22

Chad holds head up, May 23

Chad 25 inches, 11 pound 7 oz, June 23

Chad blessed, July 4, by father

Chad solids, July

DPT shot, 26 inches, 14 lb 4 oz, Aug. 1

Chad tries to stands up, Aug. 22

San Diego, Sep. 9

Chad talking, Nov. 8

Wedding

Suzanne: 1974
My mother asked the son of a friend to take our pictures for us, and the florists told us to order two weeks in advance. Kent and I decided we would like too play classical music at the reception on our stereo and if possible ask my former piano teacher if he would play a few numbers – particularly from such composers as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, because Kent and I enjoyed several of their pieces of work at the Hollywood Bowl this past summer for our dates.

Allen Lohrke took pictures for us at the reception. My old piano teacher Brother Abraham Ardean Neighbors played the piano and his wife Edna sang.

Honeymoon:

August 1975, First vacation to Malta to meet my grandmother Hope:

Suzanne journal entry for January 22 1976

As Laurel advisor I can see so clearly the effect a girl's family has on her life, priorities, attributes my activity in the church, eats. One's family molds one's characters, and it is the exception or rare when an outside person will have such a dramatic influence ion one's life as to change values, goals, patterns of living. Now I understand the church's position in supporting the family, strengthening the home, and being a vehicle of the family in bringing salvation to all members. The following are some examples that I have seen as Laurel advisor in Santa Monica I Ward and Panorama City Ward.

1. Tammy's parents divorced when she was 3 months old. She always brings this up. While she is found of her uncle, she has never known a real father -daughter relationship. All of us must develop a relationship with our Father in Heaven but until then, we need someone close to us as a "Father Ideal" who can put his arm around us , listens with warmth and sympathy, give us counsel and direction. He must be a non sexual symbol who can give a girl security, sense of worth and value so she does not need to find cheap substitutes for love and fulfillment.

Tammy has never seen a true righteous love between a man and a woman so she therefore has no comprehension be of what real love is...or any desire or need to obtain out,. Her parents haven't shown it to her, and she does not see her aunt and uncle as having this kind of desirable relationship.

Tammy sees her mother as being a poor example of happy and righteous living. According to her, her mother has been immoral and done some mean things to her etc. So Tammy has no womanly ideal to identify herself with. Her mother and she have a poor relationship...a non communicative, resentful power struggle. Tammy sees herself on the same level as her mother, rebels against discipline band authority. Both of them have said they feel the other sees them as a competitor, a sexual rival - both striving for the same men's attentions. When the sensitive relationship is gone - so is the power to influence. Consequently Tammy committed fornication at 13 years old with a 30 year old man who was still legally married. She discussed this with the Bishop 2 years later at 15 years old. While she discontinued sexual relations, she still thought about being with him. We lusted after him and committed adultery with him in her heart.. Thus she never completely 'abandoned the sin'. Therefore never repented. The Savior told a parable of a man who threw out an unclean spirit and since he didn't replace it with anything the former unclean spirit got 7 others and came back to fill the void. The Savior also said that when a person recommits a sin it's a sign all his former sins return. We'll when Tammy was 17 years old and just last month. She net a 30 year old fellow at her aunts and uncle's place. He was staying with them because his wife had thrown him out of the house and was divorcing him on grounds of infidelity. She invited him over in the evening a few days later while her mother was at work (she works nights). They committed adultery that very night and did every night for 2 weeks straight until he left town for a month on a "business trip" he supposed to return the 1st of February to go to divorce court, Tammy says,. She doesn't expect to see him when he returns., She went to a clinic and is not pregnant, nor does she have VD. She says she can't honestly feel sorry for what she did. She doesn't have a conviction that what she did was wrong. She says she has not been immoral in between the first and fellow (13 and 17 years) She did say the fellows she has dated however have now become male prostitutes and that the reason she Initially liked them was purely physical. I am rather dubious since she at first lied to me about her physical involvement with Jerry the last fellow, until I trapped her into admitting it was much deeper than she had at first indicated.

Tammy's relationship with God and her mother has continued to deteriorate. She feels her mother is suspicious about her activities. Last night when she couldn't have her black friends over she took her Mom's car and left home, hasn't been back yet.

Chad born May 8, 1976

Kent says that while dad (now Grandpa) was holding him up and sucking the mucous out of his lungs it seemed forever until he began crying and breathing. I remember he was all purple with white stuff on him. Then he gave a weak cry and turned pink. His apgar score was 9 out of a possible 10. I began to shiver and shake uncontrollably while dad sewed me up and the nurse cleaned Chad. When Chad and I were finally bundled up warm, he was given back to me to hold. As I did I was filled with joy and the Holy Ghost as I held my perfect little son. Kent and I wept, and I still weep as I recall that special moment. Chad was born in the same room (in San Gabriel Hospital) by the same doctor (Grandpa Brown) that I was 21 years previously. I got tucked in bed and Kent wrote down his impressions of that experience. He kissed me goodbye, went to take more pictures of Chad in the nursery (he took some a few minutes after birth), and went over my folks' place to sleep for a couple of hours before coming back to see me. I drifted off into a peaceful, blissful sleep. Grandma and Grandpa Gardiner and Gayle G. Reese, Mark and Karen Gardiner visited me as well as my mother and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Brown. I was on such a "natural high" I couldn't sleep Saturday night. Cathy Carlson, my former M I A president was my roommate. She was in the hospital to have her seventh child (my dad delivered a 9 lb 11 oz boy Curtis) She and I enjoyed each other's company.

LtR Suzanne, Chad, Belva, Marjorie about July 1976,

This is a shot from the balcony of 651 North Hill Street. The four apartments sat behind the home of our bishop Goldie Schiess. We lived upstairs next to Yuelle Menzie. Yuelle ran parking lots in Santa Monica and did very well. His wife was the granddaughter of the Patriarch of the Church, last name Smith. We had people smoking pot below us and the other apartment had a Vietnamise family who we really liked. By this time Suzanne stopped working at the temple and took care of Chad. The Brown’s gave us an old station wagon so Suzanne had transportation. We love the Schiess family. Goldie’s wife was in a wheel chair because someone at an airline dropped her coming out of a plane. He was the Bishop and was very helpful getting me up to speed at the EQP. I loved Belva and Marjorie. They were amazing women. They were always very supportive and helpful to us. I had all my books in a bookshelf in our front room. Marjorie suggested moving them. I did and liked the look a lot better. I made camera memory boxes with black and white photos and some old cameras in boxes instead of books. Marjorie was filled with good ideas which I always appreciated.

When Chad was a few months old we moved to 14172 Osborne Street, Panorama City. The home cost 34k, had two bedrooms and an enclosed back yard with a brick wall. The road was somewhat busy but it was our home and we loved it.

1977

Chad stood in crib, Jan. 2

Rachel Ann, Suzanne goes through temple for, Apr.

Rachel Conception, April 30

Chad walks between things, May 8,

Chad illness, dehydration, Christmas

In August 1977 Suzanne is a few months pregnant with Rachel. During this our 3 summer together Suzanne went to Arizona to visit Martha Jane Human’s home, and to look up other relatives related to Martha. Martha died in 1969 and Suzanne knew her well. Suzanne took an avid interest in her Jones line. Here is the card she sent back to me:

More on Martha Jane Human: https://gatheringgardiners.blogspot.com/2009/08/martha-jane-human-1875-1969.html

The photo was taken in 1956 with Suzanne on Marjorie’s lap. LtR Johanna, Jimmy, Martha Jane, Marjorie and Suzanne.

1977 Christmas:

1978 Rachel born:

Suzanne: I did not seem to notice the stitches, the convulsive shaking, and the afterbirth cramps—they were nothing compared to what I’d just been through. The nurses wrapped the baby and I each in warm linen. We paused for pictures outside the nursery. Then I handed Rachel to the nurse and was placed on a firm, smooth bed in a dark room of the adjoining wing of the maternity ward. Ah, it felt so good to feel the bed’s hard surface press against my sore back, and see my flattened tummy. Kent kissed me and went out to call his parents.

My dad appeared some time later, dressed in his customary suit. Placing his hand on my head, he whispered. “Well, you have a beautiful little girl. She has pretty features looks a lot like you did when you were born. You were a pretty baby her head is a little flattened, but that will straighten out. Near as I can tell she looks all right—none the worse for wear I called Mother; she sends her love you know what I put in the hospital report? ‘This is the most beautiful little baby girl ever born in this hospital” he laughed softly, “a grandfather’s prerogative. Well, try and get some sleep now. You did a good job, honey. I love you. “ He kissed my forehead. I smiled and sank into the darkness and a kind of soul sleeping.

1978

Rachel Gardiner born, Jan. 24, 10:05 pm 21inches/7lb 9o

Rachel, has grown 2 1/2 lb, 2 1/2 inches

Rachel blessed, March 14, by father

Rachel Accident, falls from stove, May

Chad is 2 years old, May 8

Rachel stands next to things, July

Hawaii, Kent and Suzanne, August

Disneyland, with Chad Labor Day Rachel walking, Nov.

Christmas, Rachel dolls, plastic Santa

Suzanne took fall class at CSUN

Hawaii:

1978 August

Hawaii
Suzanne and I go to Hawaii with Madeline Hunter the principal of our school to speak at a conference. We enjoyed Hanauma Bay with clean water and fish, swimming in the "toilet bowl". The slippery slide was great; the flowers Banyan trees, volcano, beaches, lush growth were inspiring. Suzanne liked the rain forests, the history of King Kamehameha and his family, the beaches, waterfalls, and fern grottos. It was a lovely romantic time away from everything.

1979

Rachel 1 Year old, Jan 24

Chad is 3 Years Old, fire trucks, motorcycles, and popsicles

Hearst Castle, Kent and Suzanne, Apr. 26

Disneyland, with Chad Labor Day

Chad's Pre School

Christmas, Chad is a Wiseman, Spiderman Big Wheels

Suzanne Passed Sears Defensive Driving School, took writing class at CSUN

JCB released as Stake President and called as a Patriarch

1979 Rachel by Suzanne

My brown and round, chortling imp

rocking unsteadily on dimpled buttocks,

stretches clasping hands and quivers wishing

that desire had wings to fly her to me.

Squealing, squirming, wordless mouthing

she wrinkles up a three toothed grin

and gleefully waves some chewed up string

triumphantly over a brown silk head.

Then slyly stalking, awkward waddling

she pounces my protruding foot

and fist clenched dangling wail-fully mourning

bites my near but innocent knee

Stamping her foot in righteous wrath

She grinds her teeth and spews forth bubbles

then squeezing her middle and exploding giggles.

I carry her warm and purring to bed.

1980

Eric birth, entered Stake poetry Fair. wrote Other Mothers for stake competition

Moves to Hyssop Ln. house, March 22

Eric James born, March 26, 9:15 p.m. 21inches/8lb 2oz

Eric due April

Chad is 4 Years Old, road builder trucks

Eric blessed, June 15, by father

Went to S.L.C., took Eric, 4 1/2 months

Chad swim class at COC, July

Eric 2 Teeth, 5 1/2 months old

Eric crawled, 6 months

Eric sitting up, 7 months

Edward Britein dies, Oct. 8

7 1/2 months Eric weaned

Superman, Chad reaction to candy, Halloween

Christmas

1981

Rachel went potty, Jan. 3

Eric 6 Teeth, Jan. 11

Rachel 3rd Birthday, Jan. 24 likes Snoopy, Fisher Price,

Blanket

Rachel 23 pounds Mar.

Eric 1 Birthday, Mar. 26

Mary, Rachel was in play, Easter

Reagan shot by Hinckley, Mar. 30

Star Wars, May 3

Rachel decides between make up and candy, May. 3

Rachel nursery, refuses to go, May 10

Chad 5 Birthday, May 8 dinosaurs, star war

Canada trip for Kent with 81 students (one week), May

Nat. History Museum, Chad May

Disneyland, Rachel didn't like Haunted Mansion, June 1

Rachel learns colors, June

Chad Gymnastics, June 21

Carpentaria Camping, July 10, 11

Swimming, Rachel begins with dad, July

Big Bear with Browns, July 21

Rachel wears Red sandals, summer

Chad 1-Day Kindergarten, Mrs. Neary

El Capitan camping, Aug. 16

Eric says 5 words, Aug. 30

Rachel gymnastics, Sep. 6

Rachel Pre School, Sep.

Chad Spells Zoo, Sep. 7

Chad Reads Dad and Liter, Sep.

Eric run over almost, Sep

Eric only wears diapers, Sep.

Eric bottle thrown away, Oct

Rachel princess, Halloween

Christmas, Rachel is a pink flamingo, gets Lil. Red Riding

Hood

Christmas, Eric got train, car, telephone

1982

No Crooks testimony

Rachel graduates from nursery, Jan. 1

Rachel 4 Years Old, stove, scared at King Kong

Rachel San Diego with Grandparents, Mar. 14

Rachel 1st Talk, in church, Mar. 7

Eric left in car by mistake, Mar. 7

Magic Mountain, liked Jet Stream, Mar. 27

Rachel Strawberry Print, Easter

Rachel new shoes, on wrong feet, Easter

Mission called on a Suzanne, June

Solvang, June 11

Rachel dance lessons, September

Ryan conceived late Oct.

Rachel fun 4 Fours

Christmas falls in love with Christmas Music, Barbie

1983

Big Bear with Bluncks, Jan.

Rachel 5 Years Old, playhouse, make up, tights, Annie

Record

Van, Bought a Blue Plymouth

Eric potty trained, Feb. 18

Eric cowboy boots to bed, Mar. 12

Eric 3-Year Birthday, Mar.

Rachel F.H.E. lesson on Jesus, Mar. 27

Chad T Ball, April 10

Chad 7 years old

Kings Canyon camping, Beitlers May

Disneyland, June

Ryan is born, July 22, 9:22 am 23inches/9lb 1oz

Rachel Late bird in Kindergarten, learning to read, Aug

2 grade. Mrs. Harrison

Ryan blessed, Sep 4, by father

Eric Preschool, New Beginnings, fall

Robot, Halloween

1984

Suzanne Served in the YW organization

Rachel 2 Teeth pulled, Jan

Rachel 6 Years old, Pollyanna doll, yellow

Eric 4 Years old Birthday, Cowboy boots, gun, car

Ryan crawls, March

Chad is 8 years old

Baptized, May 12 Tracy and Jenny attend

Salt Lake City, June 27

Suzanne goes to reunion, Aug. 12

Ryan 2 Birthday

Ryan Convulsion, August

Ryan Walking 10 steps, Sep. 2

Ryan good walking, Sep. 14

Eric Fun 4 Fours, Fall

Eric Joy School, with Ritchie, Nicholas, Danae, Fall

Ryan operation on scrotum, December 2

Christmas, Eric is a angel and Wiseman

got: knight rider, Gobot, _

1985

Rachel 7 Years old

Rachel tooth, pulled by dad, Mar. 24

Chad Worked on Lancaster house 12 hours, Mar. 24

Eric 5 Years old, Knight rider, hot wheels, Book of Mormon

Chad Dinobots, April

Chad 9 years old, transformers, shockwave, prime and

sound wave

The Week following Memorial Day, Ashley conceived

Kings Canyon, 4-mile hike, difficult, May

Harbor Trip, Nov.

Muscles, Dec.

Christmas, Rachel art Chest, rock tumbler

Christmas

1986

Ryan electrocuted, January

Ashley born, Jan 22, 7:45 pm, 21inches/7lb 2oz

Rachel 8 Years old, surprise party

Rachel baptized, Jan 25 by father

Ashley blessed, Feb 22, by father

Due date is Feb. 29

Ashley cries for first six months of life

Eric Chicken pox, End Feb.

Heather born, March 11,

Eric 6 Birthday, Mar. 26

Acton Property bought in foreclosure, June 10

Ryan Birthday

Rachel 3rd Grade, Mrs. Geiran, July 28

Ryan explosion averted, August 12

J.T. and Kris married Aug. 16

Camping, Summer to Reds Meadow, Bishop

Chad 5th Grade, Miss Kloe, Miss Zaslov

Christmas, Rachel gives her "Snowball" bear

1987

1 Birthday, got pop up toy, seat cover

Ryan Joy School Graduation, June 4

Ashley burned with Easy Off, June 20

Ryan Birthday party, Aug 1, July, cars, sunglasses, balls,

boats, popsicles

Camping, July 22

Catalina trip with Chad and Dad, June

Marjorie dies, July 22, 9:15 pm

Ryan falls from playhouse, First of Aug.

Caught first fish, Aug. 2 at Reds Meadow

Eric 2 Grade, Aug. 16

Eric chips tooth in fall from skateboard, Sep.

Eric/ Rachel Beach favorite, Santa Monica, Sep. 6

Britain Trip for Kent and Suzanne

Oct. 1 14 30's style depression for Kent and Suzanne, Aug(c)Feb

Eric hit in head with bat, Christmas

Christmas, Ashley got Telephone, popcorn popper

1988

Rachel soccer Regionals

Star Scout, Feb. 17

Close escrow on big Val Verde property

12 years old

Eric baptized, Mar.

1994

Suzanne dies on Monday

Kent: Suzanne played Be Still My Soul on the piano often during her fight with cancer.
1994 Death September 26

1989 Brett birth May 8, Cancer discovered in November

1990 Kent and Suzanne Stevenson Ranch 25307 Keats Lane, January

The church changes financial policies

Irene Thomsen dies February 20, Glendale, California

Kelsey Langlois born April 4

Suzanne gets a bone marrow transplant almost dies

Audrey Scholl dies October 17

1991 Missionary fund equalized

Jeff marries Andrea Picciotto August 17, Los Angeles, California

1992 Ryan Matthew is born March 24, Pasadena

Lisa Hennessey marries Louis N. Feller May 23

1993 David James Gardiner born July 28

1994 Karalee Blunck marries Craig Flinders April 23

Chad Graduates from High School

Brian David Gardiner born July 22

Chad at COC the 1st semester

Suzanne dies September 26, 6:30 pm in Kent’s arms

1994 Sunday 16 Ashley sang "I know my Father Lives" in Primary today while I accompanied on the piano, playing the right hand only. A few days earlier I had heard Ashley picking out the notes on the piano by ear.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Suzanne Marie Brown Gardiner Timeline