Love,
Ben
Sunday, September 12, 2010
On Your Birthday
John, a few of us met at your grave site for your birthday, where we celebrated some of the things we love about you. We missed you and wished you could have been there with us...maybe you were. :)
Love,
Ben
Love,
Ben
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you smell like a monkey, and you look like one too.
Happy Birthday John,
I remember you singing that to me before. I wish I could be in Phoenix with the rest of the family to celebrate your Birthday, but I can't. So I am sure like many others I will be thinking of you and all the rest you left behind today. I miss you allot.
Love Kaylyn
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Celebrating Our Brother John
(If you have a slow internet like mine, you may want to push play & then pause, let the movie load, then watch. It's much better than starting & stopping. I also suggest clicking on full screen. Enjoy!)
Today would have marked 32 years for you, John, and so in honoring you, this video celebrates all the good you have brought our family over the years. Because your birthday is on the 25th of August, it was often overlooked by the excitement or dread of the first day of school and the hustle & bustle of back to school shopping. So this year I wanted to do something special for you to prove that I remembered.
I remember last year all you wanted for your birthday was to see your little Megan's first day of Kindergarten and somehow you miraculously managed to get leave so you could be there. This year for your birthday we are all wishing for you to be here with us and although you physically can't be, maybe again you will miraculously manage to get a short leave so that you can. We love you and are grateful for the covenants that bind us eternally as a family. Happy birthday!
Today would have marked 32 years for you, John, and so in honoring you, this video celebrates all the good you have brought our family over the years. Because your birthday is on the 25th of August, it was often overlooked by the excitement or dread of the first day of school and the hustle & bustle of back to school shopping. So this year I wanted to do something special for you to prove that I remembered.
I remember last year all you wanted for your birthday was to see your little Megan's first day of Kindergarten and somehow you miraculously managed to get leave so you could be there. This year for your birthday we are all wishing for you to be here with us and although you physically can't be, maybe again you will miraculously manage to get a short leave so that you can. We love you and are grateful for the covenants that bind us eternally as a family. Happy birthday!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Happy Fathers Day
I wish John was here this Fathers Day. John’s kids love him so much and I know John loved his kids too. This memorials day we all went to John’s grave site together. Joshua was climbing all over John’s grave. We were about to have him stop when someone said, "Joshua always climbed all over John and John loved it." We all paused for a moment and thought John probably wouldn’t mind a bit that his kids were once again climbing all over him. I am so happy to have had such a great brother who was a great dad also. I love his kids and I am so happy that I also have Lila in our family. Happy Fathers Day!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thinking of You...
We went to San Diego 2 weeks ago and I wanted to make a beautiful sand sculpture in honor of you. But the wind was so strong that MaryKate could hardly breath. I think she's a little young to enjoy the beach, but I think in November at our Larson family New Port Beach reunion I will hold the first Annual John Larson Sand Sculpture Competition. I wish you could be there to show our neices and nephews the ropes, but I'll try my best.
On the way home I took a turn driving so James could get some homework done. As I drove I got so scared in the canyons on the windy turns with Semi trucks all around me. I could hardly breath and then I imagined you... I thought, "If John is allowed to be here with me I know he will be. He can guard and protect my little family from harm. With the thought of you as my invisible shield or lineman blocking for me, I relaxed and was able to make it through safe and sound. Thank you for the peace.
"If we can see, by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them from our sphere of action.
-Joseph F. Smith, (Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971, pp. 430-431)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Elder Bronson Titus
This is Elder Bronson Titus,
Elder Tim Salisbury and I lived with the Larsons in 1980. These are a few pictures that I had. I really don't remember which one is John. Seems like he was the younger blond son. What a wonderful family. I was talking with Elder Salisbury, (Dawn Buck told me about John) and we have been touched by this tragic event. We had soo much fun in North Phoenix. It was our favorite area. The Larson Family were the best. I wanted to type something profound to express my feelings but I won't. I will say, however, that I am so grateful for our soldiers and in particular John Larson. I am free, my family is free today because of the sacrifices of our solders and their families. I'm soo sorry to hear about your loss and I am soo grateful for you willingness to fight for freedom. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will always love the Larson's.
Elder Tim Salisbury and I lived with the Larsons in 1980. These are a few pictures that I had. I really don't remember which one is John. Seems like he was the younger blond son. What a wonderful family. I was talking with Elder Salisbury, (Dawn Buck told me about John) and we have been touched by this tragic event. We had soo much fun in North Phoenix. It was our favorite area. The Larson Family were the best. I wanted to type something profound to express my feelings but I won't. I will say, however, that I am so grateful for our soldiers and in particular John Larson. I am free, my family is free today because of the sacrifices of our solders and their families. I'm soo sorry to hear about your loss and I am soo grateful for you willingness to fight for freedom. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will always love the Larson's.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A few of Becky's memories
My memories of John…
John was born 15 months before me, so since I can remember I was always tagging along with him. I wanted to be just like him. I went everywhere he went and did everything he did. He was so patient and kind about it too. He even let me follow him to the bathroom. I was so mad that mom wouldn’t let me stand like John when I went to the bathroom.
One time I wanted to be in a ninja club with him and my older siblings. John voted me to be in it, but the majority voted me out. I didn’t get to be in it. I was so sad. John comforted me and always would remind me that he wished I could go with him into the secret meetings in Ben’s room.
John would take care of me.
I remember countless times that he took the blame for me. One specific time, I took some of the cookies Mom had made for visiting teaching. Mom was mad because baking cookies without burning them while taking care of eight kids was quite the task. She lined all us kids up and told us we couldn’t leave until we told her who did it. The older kids were getting mad because no one would fess up, and they had places to go. John knew I took the cookies, but he told my mom he did it so I wouldn’t get in trouble and the older kids could go.
One of my favorite memories of John was going to swim lessons every summer. We went through every class they had waiting for Kathy to learn to swim. It was always fun being in his classes. We had a good time swimming, daring each other to do crazy tricks of the high dive, and playing around (probably a little to much). One time one of our teachers had a huge booger by his nose. We were laughing all class about it, but wouldn’t tell him why we were laughing. A parent told him about it at the end of class. We called the teacher some name like boogey the rest of the summer.
John and I played outside with the cul-de-sac clan any time we could. We played spaceship in our olive tree. Kathy would have her quarters at the first branch. I was a little higher up, but John was the bravest, and he was always at the top.
We played at the Kaufold’s all the time. Usually Jimmy and John played in Jimmy’s room and Elaine, Kathy, and I in Elaine’s room. However, every now and then we would go in the back yard together and have GI Joes save the barbies. The boys would pretend that someone would try to hurt our barbies, then they would have to start a war to defend us. The rest of the time they sat on one side of the back yard fighting. We were on the other side preparing for them to come home.
In the Wendt’s backyard, we would have dance contests. Danny Brown usually one because he was the judge, but one time John one. I was so proud that my brother could beat Danny. John wasn’t that great of dancer back then, but over the years he became a good dancer. He learned to swing and move girls around the dance floor pretty smoothly.
When John was determined to do something he did it. Whether it was Jumping a picnic table on rollerblades, kissing 10 girls in one day, or Marring the girl he fell in love with before he had to go back to Texas, he made it happen. One time when we were kids, he was determined to ride the sit and spin longer and faster than all of us kids in the Wendt’s back yard. We all took our turns. Then John got on. He went so fast and so long. He beat us all by a long shot. We were all amazed. He stood up proud, smiled, and then turned around and puked his guts up. I learned then that it didn’t matter what it took, if John wanted to do something, he did it.
One memory I have, John and I became notorious for. We had to stay at the table and finish dinner. Everyone else was done, and mom had to go somewhere, so we where there by ourselves. We didn’t like the squash. However, we found that the squash was good for something. If you mixed it with the spaghetti, it helped the spaghetti stick to the wall very well. The brand new wall paper my mom had just put up that day was covered in our spaghetti/ squash mixture. My mom was a little mad, to say the least. She kicked us out of the house and told us we would have to sleep in the back yard until we promised to clean the wall. We were determined to live out there the rest of our lives. But when it got dark, we decided we would rather face Mom than the wild animals that come out at night. The wall never came clean. My mom left it up for years and it always made for a good story when company asked about it.
John was the best brother you could have as a teenager. He was the most fun, craziest, kindest guy around. Everyone loved him. Because of that he had the largest circle of friends, and he included me in it. Every weekend we were together doing some big group date or activity. It was awesome. John was the life of the party. I am grateful he let me tag along.
John always included everyone. He didn’t like anyone feeling left out. He always made a special effort to make everyone feel special. I think that is why all of my friends and almost every girl I knew fell in love with him, or at least kissed him.
John had a way with people. He could make anyone smile, and if within five minutes of talking to John a stranger felt like John was there long lost best friend. One time, we were staying at a beach house in Mexico. We were down at the beach. The guy at neighboring house was down there too. I said hi. He just looked at me like with this grumpy look. I thought he was scary. John started talking to him. In two minutes they were laughing together. He ended up being real nice. John was that way. He brought out the best in people. He made them feel good about themselves. I was jealous of his ability to see people for the good in them, and how he could bring it out.
Another example of John’s ability to make friends easily with people is when John came to visit me in Tucson. He took my kids and his to the zoo. I had always wanted to feed the Giraffes at the zoo, but I was never there in time. I would ask a zoo keeper if there was any way we could feed them. They would tell me, “If you come at the right time, you can.” Well when John started talking to one of the zoo keepers, the guy was instantly a friend to him. He took John not only to feed the Giraffe, but into the Giraffe enclosure where the zoo keepers feed them. He worked magic with people.
John was able to work magic with people because he truly loved them. He loved serving them. He would do anything he could to help. I still want to be more like him. Unfortunately I can’t follow him around everywhere he goes anymore, but I can still try to emulate all of his amazing qualities. I love him. I will miss him greatly, and my kids will miss their "Crazy Uncle John".
John was born 15 months before me, so since I can remember I was always tagging along with him. I wanted to be just like him. I went everywhere he went and did everything he did. He was so patient and kind about it too. He even let me follow him to the bathroom. I was so mad that mom wouldn’t let me stand like John when I went to the bathroom.
One time I wanted to be in a ninja club with him and my older siblings. John voted me to be in it, but the majority voted me out. I didn’t get to be in it. I was so sad. John comforted me and always would remind me that he wished I could go with him into the secret meetings in Ben’s room.
John would take care of me.
I remember countless times that he took the blame for me. One specific time, I took some of the cookies Mom had made for visiting teaching. Mom was mad because baking cookies without burning them while taking care of eight kids was quite the task. She lined all us kids up and told us we couldn’t leave until we told her who did it. The older kids were getting mad because no one would fess up, and they had places to go. John knew I took the cookies, but he told my mom he did it so I wouldn’t get in trouble and the older kids could go.
One of my favorite memories of John was going to swim lessons every summer. We went through every class they had waiting for Kathy to learn to swim. It was always fun being in his classes. We had a good time swimming, daring each other to do crazy tricks of the high dive, and playing around (probably a little to much). One time one of our teachers had a huge booger by his nose. We were laughing all class about it, but wouldn’t tell him why we were laughing. A parent told him about it at the end of class. We called the teacher some name like boogey the rest of the summer.
John and I played outside with the cul-de-sac clan any time we could. We played spaceship in our olive tree. Kathy would have her quarters at the first branch. I was a little higher up, but John was the bravest, and he was always at the top.
We played at the Kaufold’s all the time. Usually Jimmy and John played in Jimmy’s room and Elaine, Kathy, and I in Elaine’s room. However, every now and then we would go in the back yard together and have GI Joes save the barbies. The boys would pretend that someone would try to hurt our barbies, then they would have to start a war to defend us. The rest of the time they sat on one side of the back yard fighting. We were on the other side preparing for them to come home.
In the Wendt’s backyard, we would have dance contests. Danny Brown usually one because he was the judge, but one time John one. I was so proud that my brother could beat Danny. John wasn’t that great of dancer back then, but over the years he became a good dancer. He learned to swing and move girls around the dance floor pretty smoothly.
When John was determined to do something he did it. Whether it was Jumping a picnic table on rollerblades, kissing 10 girls in one day, or Marring the girl he fell in love with before he had to go back to Texas, he made it happen. One time when we were kids, he was determined to ride the sit and spin longer and faster than all of us kids in the Wendt’s back yard. We all took our turns. Then John got on. He went so fast and so long. He beat us all by a long shot. We were all amazed. He stood up proud, smiled, and then turned around and puked his guts up. I learned then that it didn’t matter what it took, if John wanted to do something, he did it.
One memory I have, John and I became notorious for. We had to stay at the table and finish dinner. Everyone else was done, and mom had to go somewhere, so we where there by ourselves. We didn’t like the squash. However, we found that the squash was good for something. If you mixed it with the spaghetti, it helped the spaghetti stick to the wall very well. The brand new wall paper my mom had just put up that day was covered in our spaghetti/ squash mixture. My mom was a little mad, to say the least. She kicked us out of the house and told us we would have to sleep in the back yard until we promised to clean the wall. We were determined to live out there the rest of our lives. But when it got dark, we decided we would rather face Mom than the wild animals that come out at night. The wall never came clean. My mom left it up for years and it always made for a good story when company asked about it.
John was the best brother you could have as a teenager. He was the most fun, craziest, kindest guy around. Everyone loved him. Because of that he had the largest circle of friends, and he included me in it. Every weekend we were together doing some big group date or activity. It was awesome. John was the life of the party. I am grateful he let me tag along.
John always included everyone. He didn’t like anyone feeling left out. He always made a special effort to make everyone feel special. I think that is why all of my friends and almost every girl I knew fell in love with him, or at least kissed him.
John had a way with people. He could make anyone smile, and if within five minutes of talking to John a stranger felt like John was there long lost best friend. One time, we were staying at a beach house in Mexico. We were down at the beach. The guy at neighboring house was down there too. I said hi. He just looked at me like with this grumpy look. I thought he was scary. John started talking to him. In two minutes they were laughing together. He ended up being real nice. John was that way. He brought out the best in people. He made them feel good about themselves. I was jealous of his ability to see people for the good in them, and how he could bring it out.
Another example of John’s ability to make friends easily with people is when John came to visit me in Tucson. He took my kids and his to the zoo. I had always wanted to feed the Giraffes at the zoo, but I was never there in time. I would ask a zoo keeper if there was any way we could feed them. They would tell me, “If you come at the right time, you can.” Well when John started talking to one of the zoo keepers, the guy was instantly a friend to him. He took John not only to feed the Giraffe, but into the Giraffe enclosure where the zoo keepers feed them. He worked magic with people.
John was able to work magic with people because he truly loved them. He loved serving them. He would do anything he could to help. I still want to be more like him. Unfortunately I can’t follow him around everywhere he goes anymore, but I can still try to emulate all of his amazing qualities. I love him. I will miss him greatly, and my kids will miss their "Crazy Uncle John".
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