Story of the Life of Irene Stratton Flake
Born March 18, 1907
"As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I know a record should be kept of this life that our posterity may know of our accomplishments, our desires, and of our activities. Also as I realize the changes in travel, transportation and communication that have come about in my lifetime, I know I should write of these things. I am impressed with the strides forward that the Church is making. I realize that many important things have happened during my lifetime.
I feel that I am greatly privileged to live in this dispensation of the fullness of times with the gospel restored. I am grateful for the priesthood my husband holds and honors. I am grateful that I can share these blessings with him if I am worthy.
I am grateful for my companion and for the eight children we were privileged to have come to our home. I hope we can live worthy to be again with Layne Kent. The Lord called him home when he was just ten days old. I am grateful for the privilege of the seven children had had of receiving their endowments and of being married to good companions in the temple for time and for eternity. They have all had the privilege of completing full-time missions and working in the Church positions to which they are called. All of the children have graduated from college. I am grateful that I can say at this writing that each of our children with their companions and their families are faithful Latter-day Saints."
Following this introduction, she included the following in narrative of her life story:
Life is God's gift to you. What you do with life is your gift to God.
Life is for learning, improving, repenting and serving
One life and one alone, we have to live upon this earth.
One life in which to learn so much - to seek, find and prove our worth.
So many dreams there are to dream - and many things to know and o.
So many peaks to climb, so many pathways to pursue.
So waste no time on fruitless quests that get you nowhere in the end.
The gift of time is your's to squander, or with care to use and spend.
It's folly to postpone good deeds. Tomorrow never comes, they say.
The future times belong to God. Your only chance is now today.
She then wrote the following, putting her picture to the side:
"So let me live that when I died,
A tear will come to every eye.
In every heart, there'll be a spot,
An empty place where I am not.
So let me live that when I'm gone,
Kind thoughts of me will linger on.
And folks will say with grief inside,
I sort of wish she hadn't died."
(Irene doesn't give reference for these sayings and poems.)
