Memories of Belinda Craft

 

                My family lived in the Garden 2nd Ward in Pleasant Grove from November, 2001 through May, 2005.  During that time, we had many interactions with Belinda, and she quickly became a very good friend to me.  I admire so many things about Belinda, and even though we've been out of the ward for 7 1/2 years, I still think of  her kindness and good examples very regularly.  She has made a lasting imprint on my heart that will be there forever!

                First and most importantly, Belinda's incredible faith will always astound me!  I remember her telling me about an institute class she attended, taught by Brother Judd, who said he had read his scriptures every day for something like 30 years.  Belinda took that to heart, and never missed a day of scripture reading as far as I knew.  Maybe she did, (and if so, that would make her human) but her example of striving with all her heart to be faithful has always stuck with me.

                Belinda ADORES her husband and kids!  You could just see it in her face, and in the way she talked about her family.  There was always a twinkle in her eye every time she talked about any of her family.  She truly believed she had the best husband and kids in the entire world, and put all of her energy into being the best wife and mother she could be… and because of her care (and your dad's) you are all exceptional children and wonderful people!   I am positive that she will be a guardian angel over her family now -- she loves you all too much to not be involved in your lives!

                Belinda is a wonderful friend.  Every time she saw anyone she knew she immediately got a huge smile on her face, gave them a big hug, and was thrilled to see them!  She made everyone feel like they were her best friend.  She was always interested in what was happening in other people's lives, and was really sincere in her concern and care for others.  I remember calling her a couple of times asking her for help with homeopathic remedies for my daughter, Haylee's, horrible diaper rash.  Belinda told me about Acidophilus and several other remedies, and spent lots of time on the phone with me making sure she'd explored every option.  Her knowledge helped me a lot.

                Belinda's excitement and energy for life were contagious.  She put her all into everything she did.  I remember how excited she was about the new faux-finish paint job she had done on the kitchen walls in their Pleasant Grove house.  She wasn't boastful at all, but just excited to have done something she thought was really beautiful to make her home somewhere she and her family liked to be.

                I have always looked forward to receiving the Craft family Christmas card every year since we moved away from Pleasant Grove.  They were always so creative and fun, especially the one the first year the family moved to Lehi and bought the farm.  I still remember the family picture with the animals out in the pasture.  I will miss her creative ideas to explain the family's doings for the year.

                Belinda was great at documenting events with pictures!  She always had lots of pictures of fun family events around her home.  I remember the beautiful family picture hanging above the stairwell of the Pleasant Grove home, and the pictures of all her children down the hall.  They were all beautiful and framed in such good taste.  They show how important her family is to her.

                I remember Belinda often talking about her house being a mess, and not very organized.  First of all,  I know it was much better than she gave herself credit for.  But also, if it was messy, it was because she was out serving other people instead of cleaning her own house.  That's what the Lord would want anyway. 

                And on the organization subject, I remember the big brown basket Belinda kept on her kitchen counter with files for each family member, her phone book, and a file of "To Be Filed" papers that needed to go in the file cabinet later.  She taught us in a Relief Society Homemaking night about her filing system, and I bought myself a basket, and still use her filing system in my home today. 

                Belinda had fun with life and didn't take things too seriously!  I remember one time at a ward party we were in the gym and our little Sara and your Joshua were about a year old.  They had been running around playing together, and Paul and I were talking with Stan and Belinda.  The kids came running over to us and I picked up Sara and Belinda picked up Joshua.  With a tiny encouragement from Belinda, they gave each other a little kiss.  It was so cute & a fun, silly memory our family has about "Sara's first kiss."  Belinda helped us with her fun lightheartedness to have a fun experience, and we're thankful for her playfulness. 

                Even before Belinda passed away, I would quite often find myself thinking of Belinda's example when I was making a decision for myself.  I will continue to think of her great examples always, and feel so blessed to call her my friend.  I look forward to being able to see her again someday and thank her personally for all her lasting impressions on me.

                We continue to pray for your family and love you all!

                                                                                Alison Holbrook