Our poor community has had yet another tragedy to face with the passing of Dr. James D. Redd.
He was our doctor - he delivered Jason, Jesse, Jeanine, Jackie, Jeremy, Jordan and sweet Sadie. He cared for Grandma Christiansen. He "delivered" Mark's appendix! He saw us through Jonathan's odd rheumatic fever, Jeanine's MS and Jordan's early years of ulcerative colitis. He has come to our home, he has called on the phone, he has gone above and beyond - to be our doctor.
He was a member of our ward family sharing his vast knowledge of the restoration with us. Mark was bishop when they moved into our ward. He has been our ward's mission leader, deacon's quorum advisor, Sunday school teacher.
He was my boss, giving me the opportunity to work for him when he owned his own practice. He was my colleague when he sold the practice and we went to work for the health district. He taught me so much about the medical field.
He was our friend. He came to see Mark's big deer. He gave us financial support in a time of need. He enjoyed the labors of our garden. He knew trivia that no one else would dream of knowing and loved to share it with others. He admired our children and how "smart those Christiansen kids are." He acknowledged our accomplishments.
Our family will never forget our doctor, our ward member, my co-worker, and our friend.
For those who may be Willy Nelson fans, you will remember the song, "On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again. . . " Well. . . .I took a road trip! It was fun! As it was the opening of the bow hunt, and I needed to go up north to a doctor's appointment (which turned out to be a real bust), I decided to go on a "road trip." After the passing of two of my friends and contemporaries this past year, I was feeling badly that I hadn't been able to attend one of the funerals. Now isn't that dumb thinking? I should have felt badly that I hadn't gone and visited my friends while they were alive! So, I went to visit people who were and are near and dear to me. These are people who have had a big influence on me, people who have had a part in shaping me into who I am. I went from Blanding to Kaysville, to Utah Valley, to Tooele, to Salt Lake. I visited my way through Utah for 4 days! What a great time. What wonderful people. It was energizing to me. It was delightful to show up on a door step with a boquet of flowers and say, thanks for being my friend. There were sad moments to see the toll that "age" takes on us. Moments of laughter for the goofy days of younger times. Inspiration from people who have lived through experiences I have not. I'm just so glad I made time to see these people. A magical song from Wicked, the musical sums up these folks who have graced my life. . . " because I knew you, I have been changed for good...." Thanks to you all!
