What did your grandfather do for a living?

I can only relate to my mother’s father. My father’s dad died when I was 5 and my dad left home when I was 10. So I do not know too much about him.

My mother’s father’s name was James Loren Christiansen. He was born in 1898. In my eyes he was a great man. He raised 6 children. Two of the three boys went on missions. Two served in the military. One was the dean of students at the University of Arizona (or Arizona State). They all eventually went to the temple.

Grandpa was originally a farmer in Moreland Idaho. He also worked at what was called the AEC [Atomic Energy Commission] site west of Idaho Falls. Then after he retired, he drove school bus for the Moreland Elementary School.

He always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and loved to tease his wife, Thelma, my grandma. He also was always working. So was my grandma. They taught their kids to be hard workers, too. They, in turn, taught their kids to be so, too. I know when you show by example how to work, the people around you tend to learn it and follow your example. I am a hard worker. My kids all do a great job at their jobs. Example is truly the best teacher.

One of the things I always think of Grandpa is when I was staying at their house, I got up early one morning and found his teeth in a glass of water in the bathroom. How shocked I was. I did not know anything about false teeth up until then. I started screaming and ran out to my grandma and asked what they were and why were they there. Grandpa was out getting wood for a fire. Grandma went to the door and yelled, “Jim, get in here and put your teeth in. You scared Peggy half to death!” I ran to the bedroom and waited until I heard him go into the bathroom. I sure did not want to see him without his teeth in.

Grandpa and Grandma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were such a wonderful couple. I loved staying with them when I was little (when I was older, too). I was always scared to go to my own meetings at church. Grandma always taught Gospel Doctrine, so I would go in with her. I was always so amazed that she knew scriptures as well as she did. Grandpa would even help her with some of the concepts. They made a great team there as well as at home.

Grandpa had a stroke and then another one. Grandma kept him at home and helped him take care of his needs, as he continued to have strokes. My brother, Bob, was visiting one day when Grandpa had another severe stroke. He picked him up and drove him and Grandma to the hospital in Blackfoot Idaho. Grandpa died there that day. I was always so thankful that Bob was there to be of assistance to Grandma.

My family was a young family at the time of Grandpa’s death. Due to financial constraints, I decided not to attend Grandpa’s funeral in Idaho. We lived in California. I have regretted it ever since. That is one of true regrets I have in my life. He was a wonderful man, and I did not take advantage of saying goodbye to him one last time.

I loved my grandpa and still miss him. Though I do not want to pass away soon, I do look forward to seeing him again someday.