Remembering Rachel

My daughter-in-law, Jenny, is working on a project: a book about Rachel Stubbs McTeer. She enlisted my help to scan dozens of photos that were in my possession. What a trip down memory lane! It was bittersweet to re-live those days gone by, but I wouldn’t have missed the closeness I feel to my dear daughter. I remember the cuddly sweetness of her baby self, her elementary school enthusiasm and innocence, her beautiful red hair, her determination to win for her swim team at Orem High School, her love for God and Church, the fun of her college years, her joy in her mission to Adelaide, Australia and then her love for her husband and two daughters. Rachel, I do remember you. I miss you. I love you.

Baby Rachel

Nathan and Rachel (4 years old)

Rachel, Anna, Amy

Rachel and Nathan learning piano

Preschool activities

Joy and Rachel at high school graduation

Orem High School graduation 

Getting ready for college date

Rachel, Julia, Zack

Stephen and Rachel

Rachel and roomies

Amy with Rachel just home from Australia

Rachel's Writings from January 1982

I got a tape recorder for Christmas and I got pick-up sticks. Today I waited in the wrong place for my family after Primary and they went home without me. I wondered where they were after everyone left so I went in the bishop’s office and asked him to call them to come and get me. Dad said I was his tithing.

Family Photo 1982

This little article from our family newsletter, Glimpses of Heaven, breaks my heart. Rachel often got lost in the shuffle of a big family. How I would like to hug her tight and tell her that I miss her today, although I may not have noticed her missing on that day. She was remarkably self-possessed and independent. Was that because she had to be or did I not worry about her because she was that way? It worked both ways, I suppose.