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So much has happened in the last month, exactly a month that Tyler and I havent had a moment to breath it seems. Thanks to all of you for your warm wishes and thoughts, they have ment more than you will ever know. I am pretty sure I can count everyone who might read this blog on one hand, but just in case there is someone who doesnt know, this is our story......
On Saturday the 21st of July, Tyler and I found out, after taking 3 home tests, that we were pregnant. This was quite unexpected and a bit of a shock so we decided to wait until Sunday to tell our parents. Sunday after church I called home and my Dad answered, we talked a bit about church and some other silly stuff I can not remember and then I told him to share the line with Mom because I had some news. Mom had just woken up from a nap so was out of sorts and while I didnt hear Dad's reaction, mom was more disoriented and confused I think than anything. Tyler's fully awake family took the news well and they were all very excited, Tyler and I were still scared and nervous.
Monday July 23rd Tyler left me to go Fire fighting for 2 weeks. This is a lot like the time he proposed and then left the next morning. I would later find out that this is the day he almost got knocked off a cliff by a rolling boulder, which instead hit and smashed the leg of the guy standing right next to him. Two near death experiences in two summer of wildland, you can see why I do not plan on letting Tyler out of my sight ever again.
Wednesday the 35th of July after some confusing phone calls wth my mom, my brother and Danielle showed up at my house and we all receive the phone call that my father had collapsed while on a YW Camp rafting trip and had died. This was by far the worst moment of my life. I had just found out I was pregnant, my husband was on a mountain somewhere out of contact, and my family was two states away all alone. My mom had tried to call the Brady's but couldnt get ahold of them, the details were unclear and all we knew was that Dad was dead and we had to get to Montana asap. I had no way to reach Tyler so i got on the internet, typed in 'Lone Peak Hot Shots' found a number and called a stranger who happened to be standing right next to Tyler. I let him know and he said he was on his way. Meanwhile the Brady's showed up while I was packing. Tyler got home, and we all crammed into the car and left at 10 pm that night for Montana. I've driven the Utah- Montana stretch more than I can count, but this was the only time it was ever done in silence, no radio, nothing but the sounds of sobbing.
We made it to the Ranch on Thursday just in time to meet at the funeral home to make arrangments and see dad. We found out that they think it was a heart attack, which seemed so unlikely at the time. Dad was in the stake presidency and we had the stake president there with us, as well as Grandpa Asay. Watching grandpa cry was the second hardest thing ever. We got to see Dad though, he looked so alive, so real. He had this grin on his face like he was about to tell a silly joke, or open his eyes at any minute. That was very hard for me.
Friday and Saturday were chaos. Flowers were comming all the time, everyone was always crying or laughing and we were frantically trying to plan a funeral and write an obituary. Tyler and I took the lead with the obituary and Michael and Danielle helped out a lot with the funeral program. David just lay around, that was hard for mom, to see him not crying or anything. Things still had to be done, and Tyler took care of the animals for us, and did a lot of chores.
Sunday all the relatives showed up and we sat around sharing all the funny stories about Dad. When he was about 30 he had written his own autobiography and it was amaizing to read. It had all the funny childhood stories, his friends names, his favorite spots, everything. What a treasure.
Monday was the funeral. There were over 1,100 people crammed into the stake center and police there to block off the traffic on the way to the cemetary. It was the best funeral I had ever been to. The spirit was so strong, the talks made your cry, made you laugh, and made you know that Dad was ok and we would see him again. It was fun to see all of Grandpa's brothers and Dad's old friends.
There were hundreds of people there who were not members and we found ourselves compforting them. We knew it was his time, we knew we will see him again, I can't imagine not having that hope.
Dad collapsed while climbing up to a cliff to jump off of into the stillwater river. There was an ER nurse and a cardiac nurse who were right behind him and started CPR within 30 seconds. He received a priesthood blessing within 2 minutes and he never regained conciousness. It was his time to go. A year ago Dad redid his life insurance, which has made it so Mom can have some peace of mind for a bit. This summer there was a family reunion where he got to see all his relatives one last time. A few weeks before he died, the whole family got together in Utah and we had the best 3 days ever, full of biking, and swimming, caves, and fun. Dad was worthy of his temple recommend, he was righteous and barely an hour before he died he had the chance to bear his testemony to the Young Women. I believe if Dad had been able to chose a way to leave, this would have been it to the tee.
While looking through his computer fils I found a list of life goals. He had completed everything he needed to do and all the rest was icing on the cake, things like become a millionare and get re-earn his pilots license. He had been able to see his two oldest children get married in the temple within a year, and found out he was going to be a grandpa.
Now, a month later, the tears still come, but it is hard to be truly sad when you think about Dad because you know he was suppose to go. The lord needed him, it was his time.
We left back for home on Thursday, Danielle had a test she had to take so we had to leave. Friday and Saturday Tyler and I bought a new car. Traded in the red truck for an x-terra and some debt. Sunday i started getting sick, morning sickness all the time. We were going to keep the pregnancy a secret, just in case it didnt carry through, but it sort of got announced at the funeral, so it's no longer classified information.
This saturday David sold his pig at the fair. EMBS (where Dad worked) said they would buy it, but a few other nice people had their hearts set on doing a favor for the Asay family as well. They all bid each other up until that 244 lbs pig, sold for 11 dollars a pound. thats about $2,600. The next highest pig was $6, and the average was $2.75.
Wednesday I started my job as a Second grade teacher, and I believe that I will enjoy it. I just have to train the little wildcats to be still first and then we can learn.
D. Scott Asay
D. Scott Asay returned to his Savior, suddenly but peacefully, while enjoying an outdoor church activity on Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
Scott, a self-proclaimed mountain man, cowboy and trapper, was born Feb. 21, 1957, in Worland, Wyo. He was raised by a nurturing mother and delighted in the many adventures that came with having a veterinarian father. Scott, who was brought up in the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, earned his Eagle Scout rank and served an honorable two-year mission in Boston. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and received a Juris Doctorate and an MBA from Brigham Young University. While receiving his education, Scott found the love of his life, LeAnn Sanderson, married her in the Salt Lake Temple and began a family.
From his youth in Wyoming to his life in Montana, he sought constantly to better himself through education, service, work and recreation. Using his great skills and knowledge, Scott enjoyed a successful 19-year career with EBMS. Although he loved his work and interactions there, his heart was always at home on the ranch or in the mountains, where he taught his children the value of a hard days work. Scott was, by definition, a renaissance man who enjoyed the adventures of the outdoors just as much as reading the classics and writing his own.
He will be remembered always for his diligent service and leadership in his family, church and community. Scott's passing leaves a tremendous void in his home, family, work and church. His pleasant personality, quick wit and integrity will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Truly, his life has been a legacy of honesty, hard work, service and love.
He is survived by his eternal companion, LeAnn C. Asay; his parents, Dave and Char Asay; his brother, Mark (Kristin); his sisters, Cindy (Dave), Kathy (Ward) and Susan (Jim); and his children, Michael (Danielle), Kristen (Tyler), Stephen, David; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
