Special Delivery

Have you gotten any Christmas cards in the mail yet? What would you say if I told you I got a Christmas card from my grandpa who passed away five years ago?  Here is the story of how it was delivered:

Yesterday, I had a sick baby to care for and lots of other things on my plate. Yet I kept having the feeling that I should go out to the garage and sort through some family pictures. I knew I didn't have time to start on that project, but the thought wouldn't leave my head. Finally, I went out and found the box I needed. I quickly looked through it, but felt prompted to open another box. I brought it inside and was disappointed to find that there weren't many photos. I did find a folder that my mom had labeled "Geneaology." Inside the folder, I came across an old Zobrist family newsletter. It mentioned my marriage to John and I thought that was fun to see. Then I noticed the newsletter also had a Christmas messge written by my grandpa. I quickly skimmed it and thought it might be nice to share with my family later in the month. I put everything back in the garage to deal with on a less busy day.

As I was making dinner, thoughts of my grandpa kept coming into my mind. Eventually, I realized I needed to pay attention and I got the message. This was something I needed to share my extended family and I needed to do it now!

Grandpa may have passed away several years ago, but apparently he wants his family to hear from him this Christmas!

So here is the Christmas message, written by my maternal grandfather, Herman Arthur Zobrist on December 21, 1987.  He refers to his parents (calling them Mother and Father or Grandma and Grandpa), Anna Allenbach and Herman Zobrist who were from Switzerland.

As we come into the Christmas season our thoughts are of the Savior and his great gift to all of us.  In fact, to all of God's children who ever came to this planet, or who ever will.  It is a great time of the year for all of us to evaluate our lives and, if necessary, make sure we are going in the right direction.
         I always think of my Father and Mother at this time of year and of all the great gifts they gave to me, and all of their posterity.  As I have been to the birthplace of my parents, I am so very thankful that they left that cold and beautiful land to come to America, that all of their descendants would have a more abundant life.  They had many trials and problems in their new home and yet they built something very important to all of us.  
         My father instilled in all of us the willingness to work and to always be honest in all of our dealings with our fellow men.  The greatest thing I remember about Grandpa was his ability to put all things in their proper perspective.  It is one thing I have always admired, and yet I was never able to do like Dad did.  To my Father, there were only two things that were important, His Family and The Church.  All other things were secondary to him, nothing ever interfered with these two prime things in his life.  Some day, I hope we can all have the Testimony he had for the Gospel and for his family.
         Many you of younger people never had the privilege of knowing your Grandpa and Grandma, but you may all hold your heads up high for the way they lived their lives, and for the heritage they left each and every one of us.  I hope and pray that all of us will try each day to live as Grandpa and Grandma would have us live. Remember they are watching us every day and hoping that some day we will all be together as a family again.  
         Let us each strive always to live up to the Heritage they left us, and that they will be as proud of us as we are of them.

Herman Zobrist           

I am grateful for eternal families, especially at Christmastime! And now just for fun, here are a few pictures of Grandpa and his parents.  To see one of my favorite pictures of Grandpa, click HERE.

Grandpa as a young man.

Grandpa, a bit more middle-aged

Grandpa's parents (and my great-grandparents) Herman and Anna Zobrist

Great Grandpa and Grandma Zobrist at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration