Lavona's Lessons

Lavona's Lessons
(read for the tribute to Grandma Richardson at the Richardson Reunion, June 19, 2013)

The time has now come to confess
How our lives have all been blessed
By the sweet lessons taught to us
From our dear mother. They are thus:

A daily record should be kept
Of life's lessons and precepts.
Mom wrote in her journal every day,
Teaching us all this is the way.

Read your scriptures every night--
It will help you choose the right.
She always taught the power you find,
When scripture reading is enshrined.

Every week have family night,
And your clan will e'er be tight.
Gathering round to be together
Will give strength in any weather.

When you’re writing your life blueprint
Make sure that home is filled with music
Voice, piano or on trumpet
Whatever the instrument.

She showed to all of her children,
The importance of serving a mission.
Indonesia, Nauvoo or Temple Square
In Mexico, the gospel to share.

Lifelong education is so important
Don’t let your minds go dormant.
Whether it be at Tempe High
In Israel or at the “Y”.

Whatever the setting or position
At school, church or on a mission,
Taught us we might as well do our best--
Showed us how at America West!

"Remember who you are" was heard
By Mom, with the importance conferred
That more is expected of us.
Our upbringing makes it thus.

The temple is a holy place.
Its importance we must embrace.
Go there often and we will learn
How to heaven we may return.

Most of all, mom taught us well
Her love for us has no parallel.
She gave her all to teach us that
Her family is the most important.

Mom, we love and honor you.
We give thanks for all you do.
You taught us how to find success.
Our lives you have always blessed.

--With love, Vernon and Melvin

Melvin and Tami Richardson Family's Tributes to Grandma Richardson

   Nearly every success I have ever enjoyed in life has been in some way or another thanks to the cheerleading and support of my dear mother. Even my current job is thanks in no small part to Mom and her looking out for me. She has always been there to encourage, inspire and help me. I sometimes wonder what I would ever have amounted to if she hadn't prodded me along the way to achieve my potential and always do my best.
   The running joke in high school was that Mom took more pictures of my friends than their own parents did. I appreciate Mom's expression of love to me by chronicling my life through her pictures and her journaling. She realizes the value of recording the past to know where we've come from, and using it to march us into an expectant future. The legacy continues as my kids look forward to Grandma taking pictures of them and recording their lives.
   Mom never slows down. Whether it's working hard or playing hard, she does everything with gusto and tirelessness. Mom has been a go-getter for as long as I've known her and has instilled in us the belief that life is out there waiting for us to experience it. There's so much to see and do and experience, and anything is possible if we keep working and trying and never giving up.
   Mom is also committed to the Gospel. She lives it fully and never wavers and expresses her testimony to her family and friends by the way she lives her life. She is constant in scripture study and prayer. She has loved sharing the Gospel as a missionary in various settings throughout her life. It's fun to hear her weekly reports of those she met and talked with and shared her testimony with in her current missionary endeavor at the Conference Center.
   I love and appreciate Mom. Thanks for all you do! I hope my ultimate tribute to you is the way I live my life and raise my children. You've shown the way.
   Love, Melvin

   Mom, when I think of you I think of dedication. You are so dedicated to all that you see is important. What a great attribute!
   Your dedication to dad was always so obvious, especially as you took care of him when he was ill. What a great and powerful example of dedication to us all!
   Your dedication to your children is easy to see. How you taught them, encouraged them to pursue their talents, how involved you have always been in their lives, and ultimatley in how wonderful they have all become. I am constantly in awe at the greatness in this family.
   Your dedication to your grandchildren is evident and they know it! They feel so loved as you come to their performances, praise their accomplishments, and spend time with them.
   Your dedication to the gospel is unwaivering and is seen by all. Your missionary service, the way you live your life, and the way you have taught your family is inspiring. There is no doubt about your love for the Savior and your desire to follow him.
   I am so grateful for your dedication and example. I love you so much and am thankful for your influence in my life.
   Love, Tami

   I love that Grandma always comes to our performances and always tries to help us. She always asks about what's happening in my life. She makes me feel special.
   Love, Kaitlyn

   I love that Grandma loves to take pictures of us so that she can remember us. I also love that she comes to our house a lot to play with us and have fun.
   Love, Ashley

   I love that Grandma is always there to help us. She's kind and I love her lots!
   Love, Lauren

   Grandma is nice. I love that Grandma takes pictures of me. I love that she plays with me.
   Love, Tanner

   I love when Grandma comes to our house and reads books to me.
   Love, Carter

   I love you, Grandma.
   Love, Logan

poem for Dean and Jennifer

DEAN AND JENNIFER

by Vernon Richardson and Melvin Richardson

January 19, 2012

Let me tell the sweetest story you'll hear,

About a love that will surely endure.

It's the tale of romance between two friends

Whose love to eternity now extends.

Now Dean was a fun but hard-working man,

Providing for his girls the best he can.

He decided to try and go online

To find a lady for whom he could pine.

He found the profile of a lovely girl,

Jennifer's her name and, Wow! What a Pearl!

Dean found someone beautiful, patient, kind.

The type of girl who is really a find.

They started to date, found each other fun

Each thought they might have found the one.

They loved their big adventures together,

Exploring new things, whate'er the weather.

Now Dean needed to go home for a spell,

To care for his Dad, who was not feeling well.

With Dean gone, Jennifer wanted to know

More about Dean's Mormon faith and so,

She met with the missionaries to learn

What it was in Dean’s church that made him yearn

For a true relationship that would last

Far beyond the date that this life has passed.

She soon developed her own testimony

And this relationship grew in harmony.

Jennifer loving on Devyn and Brielle,

And they, in turn, adored her just as well.

As the love between them continued to bask,

Dean received her dad’s blessing to ask.

So, he popped the question in the kitchen.

She said “Yes”! Making true love no fiction.

A wedding with colors of green and red

With Santa and Mrs Claus from their sled.

The Christmas wedding was just perfect

In the Thornewood castle all nicely decked.

And now Dean has taken his lovely bride

To the temple where the Spirit resides.

They've made sacred vows to God on high

That to their covenants they will comply.

We’re so excited this union is now sealed

In the holy temple, your love’s not concealed.

We’re so happy that you’ve found your true love
And now, it’s also blessed by God above.