Pop passed away last night with one tear rolling down his face as Mom Layton said goodbye. I am very grateful that he is no longer suffering and I know he is having a grand time with his parents and sister, Joan Bethea. Although I am happy he is no longer suffering, I am emotional that he is no longer here on this earth and a presence in my daughter's lives. I will get more to that in another blog post. And yes, these posts about Pop are my journal entries. I can't just write one thought about Pop and be done.
Over the past week so many things about Pop have come to my mind that make me grateful. I never thought in my growing up years that I would ever have the opportunity to associate with the likes of someone like Pop. How did I get so blessed!
The first aspect of Pop that comes to my mind is how he was/is the greatest example of a father. Brian has been taught by example. I thank Pop and Mom for raising respectful, selfless, virtuous children by example.
Pop was always full of sunshine in the mornings. He was always whistling or singing a peppy tune with his own made-up words. Brian has told me that his family woke up early every morning to read scriptures as a family and it made Brian grumpy with Pop's pep bursting forth. Before they would start reading scriptures they would sing a hymn (they mainly mumbled while Pop and Mom sang with joy😂). Pop and Mom tried to get their children to love singing, but none of them picked up on the love of singing. Like any other family, the kids were grumpy in the mornings reading scriptures, but it was a habit instilled in them. Each of them now has a testimony and love of the scriptures. Pop knew more about the scriptures than any person around. He lived the scriptures. He didn't lecture or judge - ever! He exemplified the Savior. And now we all listen to Brian whistling around the house and making up words to songs. It is amazing what a good example does, even when it seems like a parent feels it isn't doing anything.
Pop has always been humble. He never made his family feel that they had to be a certain way because of his leadership callings in the church. Brian never felt pressured to act or be a certain way just because his dad was Stake President. If Brian made mistakes his parents would discipline and teach him with love. They never once felt like their children had to keep up a certain persona or be a certain way. Pop was in the Stake Presidency and then the Stake President throughout all of Brian's growing up years. Brian does not remember a time when Pop was not in a leadership calling. Brian and his siblings didn't think much about their dad being the stake president. It wasn't ever talked about. The gospel was what was talked about in their home, not callings. Pop was Brian's Stake President when Brian left on his mission and when he returned from his mission. His Grandpa Layton was a patriarch and gave Brian his patriarchal blessing. Brian does not know any different. He realizes now how blessed his life has been because of the love and unity he was raised with.
Pop showed the most love to his children by loving their mom. Pop adores Mom Layton. He never once spoke unkindly to Mom Layton. He always talked about her with love. It was one of the only times I would see Pop get emotional. Pop could get upset, but he never yelled or said unkind things. Pop's children felt completely secure, safe, and loved because of the united front of their parents. Children feel loved when their parents love each other.
Pop was a farmer to his core. He loved the farm. He made it a family farm by taking the time and effort and love to include his kids in all aspects of the family business. Some of Brian's favorite memories are on the farm with Pop and his siblings.
Pop was extremely busy and had a ton on his plate with running a business and being Stake President, but he always came to his children's sports events, scouting events, and any other activity they were involved. He was able to coach some of the older children before he got so busy with work and callings. Pop always made sure that his family had Family Home Evening. Brian remembers many times being impatient with FHE and wanting it to be short. Sometimes the family would be watching a sporting event, some of those being final games, but when the time came for FHE, the TV would be turned off. Brian was always hopeful that they would be able to finish the game instead of having FHE and when the TV was turned off he would be bugged. Now those times spent with Pop, Mom, and siblings are priceless. The feelings of those FHE are what he remembers. He has gained knowledge by Pop's teachings. No game will ever compare to the feelings and knowledge gained by those times spent at Pop's feet.
I don't know where to stop. There are so many things about Pop the father. His excitement celebrating each of his kids birthdays, being Chub Rabbit on Halloween, his knowledge of the doctrine of the church, his joy over little things, his gratitude to others, and much more has shaped who my husband is as a person. I can never thank Pop enough.
