Day 5

About a week ago I asked my dad's cousin to send me a few biographies he has on our ancestors.  I've only read a few so far, but I am so proud to have such courageous and faithful ancestors who are shining examples to me.  There was one story that has greatly influenced me as I have read these biographies.  It is of my great great grandfather:

"On May 9. 1916, I was hired by Beesley Marble and Granite Works to load a ton and a half rock onto a flat car at the Heber Depot. It was nine thirty in the morning and the two boys were with me. We had the rock almost loaded, when the chain broke, letting the rock bounce back crushing me between it and some sandstones behind me.  It seemed like the boys knew just what to do.  Walter stayed with me and hailed a passing auto, while Eddie ran home to tell-mother. I was never unconscious one moment from the time I was hit until I arrived home. There were no hospitals at that time in Heber, but Dr. Ray Hatch and Dr. Russell Wherritt both came. Both agreed it would just be a matter of hours:  my back was broken and nine ribs on either side of my spine. My face was mashed and the roof of my mouth quartered, one ankle broken and my chest badly crushed. Six men helped straighten by back. Sheriff Homer Fraughton (Stella's grandfather) was one of them.  I remember him saying, "This will be the end". When I regained consciousness I said to him, "No, Homer, I am not going to die. I may even live longer than you.”  And I did, by many years. For nine weeks I had nothing but liquids, foods strained through a thin cloth and given to me in a little bottle with a long neck. Sister Jane and Sarah Ann were in attendance constantly with my kind, faithful wife, who never left my side except for brief periods of rest forced on her by the girls. This ordeal was surely a test of faith and courage on the part of my dear wife and my family. Prayer was constant in the home and the Elders were called often. Our religion had always meant much to Lizzie and me, and doubly so now, for we knew that without God’s help, I would never live."

I am so grateful for the example of my great great grandfather, James Carlile, who continually had faith and trust in God even in his trials.  His trials were greater than many people will ever face, and yet he still found joy in life and the gospel.  James ended up being able to live for 30 years after the accident.  There is so much we can learn from the experiences of our ancestors!