crazy, sad, beautiful week.

May 2012 at his home in Orem, Utah

Mckay and I were on vacation when I found out that my wonderful Grandpa Craven passed away.  It was quite the unpleasant end to the fun time we were having, but it had a different effect on me than I expected. I was sad and shed a few tears, but it was a peculiar thing to experience such sorrow and joy at the same time. Frank L. Craven lived an incredibly full life, my sadness was only for those he left here to miss him.

We flew to Utah on Tuesday July, 17th and the funeral was the following day.
He received a military burial that brought tears to my eyes. His children ensured that the funeral did not go over 1 hour (his explicit direction) and that it was focused on the Savior and the gospel and not on him. What a thing to be apart of.

He truly was a man nearing perfection. I honestly believe that.  I am thankful that I recognized all the goodness in him while he was still on earth with us.  I'm thankful that Mckay had a chance to meet, know and respect him. I'm thankful for the man that he raised (my Dad) who is so incredibly like him. I'm thankful for his humility, dedication, integrity and happiness that you couldn't help but notice. I'm thankful for the time he spent with me and Rae as little girls, Irish dancing with us and teaching us to ride the lawn mower. I'm grateful for his enthusiasm that had me convinced at 12 years old that Chuck-a-Rama was the best restaurant in which a girl could dine!

Mostly I'm grateful for his unyielding love for the Savior and his family that seeped into our hearts created a solid foundation for his whole family.

My Grandma and her six children: Mark, Kent, Curtis, Diana, (Grandma Lyle Tyler Craven) Phillip & Frank.

 Grandma with her brother in law, my Grandpa's brother, Roulon Craven.

 The Mickey Mouse phone that all the Grandchildren obsessed over.  Also, a fishing pole & picture of his catch one year salmon fishing in the SF bay with us & Uncle Curtis.

Lest this be a sad post, which it truly isn't, I have to share a story.  I spent the few days I had after his funeral reading his life history and page after page it had me giggling at his antics that didn't fade with time.

Paraphrased from his life history: When Grandpa was in high school in Boise, ID the Snake River flooded. The ROTC, which he was a part of, were excused from school to help with the volunteer effort of sandbagging and keeping the town safe. They were instructed to wear their uniforms for identification purposes. So, the next day, Frank & Roulon Craven and two of their friends went to the meeting place to help out.  The National Guard had been called in and was already working.  When the four arrived, they were mistaken for Army personnel and when asked what the orders were, they decided that it was more fun to give them than to receive. They spent the entire day directing the National Guard working in that area instead of sandbagging as was their assignment!  They went back to school the next day and were praised for all of their hard work. (!!!)

What a man, what a life!

Pictures 3-6 via, my talented cousin Lisa.