Something to Hold Onto Carrie Bears

Jill met Rodney the first day of law school. He was kind. They studied together, dated and married their 3rd year of law school. They started a beautiful family and when their son Noah was 3 years old and Jill was pregnant with their daughter Sam, Rodney was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. So much ache filled Jill as she lost her Rodney before Sam was born. Years later she met Jay. He was full of life and lots of energy. They fell in love and the kids adored him. Jill and Jay decided to add one more to the family and Quinn came to share in the joy! When Quinn was 4 yrs old Jay had a seizure and ended up being diagnosed with the same rare brain tumor. Jill described losing both the loves of her life as lightning bolts of grief to her heart. Through friends and her kids, Jill has been able to remember who she is and who she can be and has a new dream to create a cottage of healing for kids growing up in grief. 🏠❤️‍🩹

Ursula Barboza lost her son, Gabriel (age 4), to an accident. He was a special little boy. Something was different about him from the very beginning. She said, “There a lot of things we don’t understand in this life. It’s like a puzzle with pieces that fit together here or fit there.” Her wisdom in what she has learned from her grief journey is priceless. As a grief therapist now, she is changing lives and healing hearts. She had a daughter that was not even a month old when Gabriel died. Having to get up and take of her when Ursula didn’t ever want to get out of bed saved her life.

I love Lucy and love that I get to share a little of her with you! She’s always made me feel a part of the family and always shares her love. We talk about the tradition of music, football, Bear Lake, Survivor Nights, making gingerbread houses and more. She lost her husband Doug, seven years ago and her son a year before that. Both too soon. She shares how friends and family carry you through and help you along 🎶🏈♥️

Gena’s best friend, Desiree Cooper-Larsen died in 2021 due to complications of COVID-19. Des was a passionate teacher, leader, mentor, advocate and friend.  Her life was devoted to her husband , family, community, and education.  

Gena said that when Desiree walked into a room she filled it up with beauty and fun! That’s what happened when they met doing the rodeo thing in high school. They went to different schools but in this sport you helped each other out even though you were competitors. People wanted to be around Des. And she made people better. She qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals in barrel racing. She danced her way on stage to win Miss Lehi and won the title of Miss Rodeo Lehi.  She went on to become Miss Rodeo Utah in 1979.  She won the coveted speech award at Miss Rodeo America. She was known for her sense of style, strong determined spirit, and larger than life presence. The friendship of this dynamic duo made things happen. From PCRA rodeo fashion shows to Ogden Pioneer Days… everything done with glitz, class and fun!

Des was the heart and soul of the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration. She worked endlessly to build a world class PRCA Hall of Fame Rodeo. She will be remembered for bringing the distinguished honor of being selected as a Top 5 PRCA Rodeo of the Year for 13 years. Des is the one and only woman to chair the celebration in its 87-year history. 

To inspire those she taught and mentored she would say be “10 Feet Tall and Bullet Proof, Baby”. No doubt those words and her encouragement will carry on in all the hearts of those she influenced and loved💛🤗

I met Allison 17 years ago when her brother, Robert, died. He was their family’s rock. She describes him as the strong, silent type and a ton of fun! He was a wonderful father and husband. After his death from melanoma at age 38, Allison watched her parents grieve. “It crushed them,” she said. It was more than just an emotional loss. Their health deteriorated as well.

Years later, in 2021, Allison’s family had another loss when their dad died followed by their mom just a few months later. Kendall and Marva Hatch created a beautiful, strong bonded family. In their grief for their parents and brother years before, they lean on the strength their parents built. Marva was a shop til you drop fashionista, who loved her family and friends. She just loved people and was a huge fan of the Utah Jazz! Kendall worked in insurance and practiced law. He was an avid fly fisherman, golfer and President of the Utah Historical Society for years. They both never missed the kids and grandkids games and events. They were the most non-judge-mental people.

They didn’t die of covid but they died sooner than they would have because of covid. Allison could see it and said, “We are not meant to be alone.”💗💙

“Peace begins with a smile” - Mother Teresa. Sometimes, when we share a smile even when we don’t want to, it makes us feel better. A smile is contagious. Try the smile game. And spread smiles across the country! It’s starts with just one. Try it! Just smile 😊