First Impression

Garrett you are our littlest man, and I've been thinking of you a lot lately. For the past two weeks my parents were here visiting having a wonderful time when something happened. Your great-grandad passed on to another life. This post is for you, to tell you what I experienced while going to the funeral. You may not realize this but your name is no coincidence, my grandfather's name was Clearance Garrett Mahan, and your dad's Grandad was Clearance Thomas Mckasson. So we combined the middle names to give you, your name. Your uncle Scott also has the name Thomas so it holds meaning to us. Even though you've not met them I wanted to tell you about my first impression of your great Grandad Clearance Thomas. I received it through meeting his posterity, what a legacy he has left behind. I could write pages on what kind of impression they have all left on me but I will try to be concise as possible so you will read all of this.

Oh my gosh these two sweet little girls are two generations away from Grandad but let me tell you they scream McKasson! Do you see how they smiled and posed for me? They approached me when they saw the camera and asked in this small voice, "Maybe you could take a picture of us?" See how they have no fear? How they just want to show off their cute outfits? They are sure of themselves even at these small 4 year old ages, that is definitely a Mckasson characteristic, one I hope is passed on to you.

This is a granddaughter with her husband and fearless four year old. Hand hold was going on a lot that day, which you should know is a pure form of love and devotion. Something Grandad has in spades, he wrote over and over in journals how much he loved his wife and family. Are you seeing the picture that I saw?

This is the group that knew him the best, his sons, daughters, and in laws. They could tell stories, about how he affected their life and jokes and songs that he would sing. Oh, if you only knew of the music that surrounds this family the talent is something I pray that you inherit. He also passed on a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ which brought many to tears, as they knew he was going to a better place where he could be reunited with his wife who he loved dearly. I wish my inability to write thoughtful expressions are not keeping you from seeing the picture that I saw that weekend. They were and are amazing people, who I am so lucky to now really call family.

While we just finished the burial we saw this huge flock of white birds floating in the sky right above us. They just stayed in
the same spot hovering over us and someone said oh look its Grandad saying good bye. I tried to take a picture to capture the moment.....

Five grandaugthers all from the same parents (yikes!) , just kidding I learned so much from watching them that weekend. They are all so positive and happy, and even after all the crying sadness they still managed to give their mother a birthday surprise with cake and everything that night. I wish that I could live near them so I could learn to be a better mother to you boys, they have the secrets that all mom's need.

You of course know your cousin Abby, she is posing for me like the rock star that she is! We were so proud of her to mingle with cousins she was meeting for the first time. She was in heaven having girls to play with, because she so far is one out of the 6 boys in the McKasson side of the family.