A Memory to Preserve

There is a couple in our ward whom we just adore: Leland and Leila Saunders. They are an older couple who have lived in Harrisville forever, have 12 children that are our parent's ages and oodles of grandchildren, great grandchildren and even a few great-greats. When Brian and I were preparing to get married in the temple, the Saunders gave us temple/marriage preparation classes. Since then, we've kind of thought of them as our adopted grandparents.

At the ward Christmas party, they told us that we needed to come to their house to see a quilt. They insisted that we come on the way home from the party because they were going to take it to their cabin the next day. So, we stopped on the way home. We visited for a while, looked at the amazing family quilt and Sister Saunders showed me her Christmas tree. She had it covered in these little ornaments that her mother had tatted. Of course, they gave candy to the kids and told us about the family pictures on the wall. It was just like going home to Grandma Hunsaker's house. The spirit is always so strong when you enter and the love that they have is evident.

Even though it was just a few minutes, I wanted to record this memory. We absolutely adore the Saunders and hope one day to become like they are. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have "adopted" grandparents in our ward who freely share their love for us and the gospel.