We were fortunate to live in Grandpa Shumway's home and help care for him in Cheyenne. He was extremely self sufficient and always amazed us how he never allowed his sight to slow him down. He would tell us that we were the ones who were handicapped because we needed our eyes so much! He taught Brooklyn how to walk. He would hold her hands and walk her back and forth in the living room. When I was in the kitchen fixing dinner, he would hold the babies (I had 3 under the age of 3 while we lived there) and play his harmonica for them. He taught my 7 year old and 5 year old to sing a round with him. He would also take them with him to his magic shows to be his little assistant. He loved it when I would play hymns on the piano and he would join in with either his harmonica or violin. He loved music and participated in several bands and played often in nursing homes. He introduced me and the kids to the snoot flute! We had a lot of fun with that one. Last month my 10 year old son Taige played me a song with his recorder using his nose instead of mouth to blow the air needed to make the music. It was a nice clear sound and I immediately thought of Grandpa Shumway and his snoot flutes!
He swam approximately 4 x's a week and always went out with the missionaries. In fact the missionaries is why he owned a car! He was always available for them to go and teach. He would run errands with me so I wouldn't have to take the kids out of the car when I would go to the Post Office, etc. He even went Trick-or-Treating with Jodi Wilson and I one year. Talk about the blind leading the blind! We were trying to find a specific nursing home to Trick-or-Treat at, and we were completely lost. He was sure of the direction we should go....... He's without sight and Jodi and I can get completely turned around in a shopping mall! We were quite the trio. I think it took us an hour before we finally found our destination. We were all laughing so hard by the time we actually figured out where we were and where we were going!
He swam approximately 4 x's a week and always went out with the missionaries. In fact the missionaries is why he owned a car! He was always available for them to go and teach. He would run errands with me so I wouldn't have to take the kids out of the car when I would go to the Post Office, etc. He even went Trick-or-Treating with Jodi Wilson and I one year. Talk about the blind leading the blind! We were trying to find a specific nursing home to Trick-or-Treat at, and we were completely lost. He was sure of the direction we should go....... He's without sight and Jodi and I can get completely turned around in a shopping mall! We were quite the trio. I think it took us an hour before we finally found our destination. We were all laughing so hard by the time we actually figured out where we were and where we were going!
He had such a strong testimony and was such a wonderful example to us in so many ways. I remember going to church (Mark was in the Bishopric at the time & already there), and walking in with Grandpa Shumway along with 2 little ones that couldn't yet walk, a toddler and my preschooler and 1st grader. It was sometimes quite the act with grandpa on one arm, holding onto the hand of the toddler (Chase) and me trying to hold Brooklyn and then Taige in the carrier. Because of his hearing, we always sat in the 4th row from the front. I never liked to be late - I always felt like we made quite an entrance! One time Chase was on the other side of Grandpa (age 2 or 3), we had a couple of my children in between us and I was at the end of the bench. During the Sacrament I passed the tray of bread to Grandpa and he continued to pass it down the row to Chase who after he took a piece, took another and then another as Grandpa patiently held the tray waiting for someone to take it. I was out of arm's reach, so Jodi Wilson who was sitting right behind us quickly reached over the bench and helped out before Chase had completely gotten his fill!
He was always so complimentary and would tell me how nice I looked even when I was in my robe with mascara under my eyes. He would compliment me on the house and make me feel like a gourmet cook no matter what I served. I was proud of the fact that we were able to get his cholesterol level way down!
I remember cheering him on as he carried the torch during the time of the Olympics. He never stopped learning or achieving spiritually as well as academically. He faithfully attended the Temple. When he moved to St. Louis, my Uncle Ray and Aunt Linda were Temple workers and enjoyed seeing him there weekly. Grandpa Shumway was from the same place my Uncle Ray's father was from in WY, and was able to share stories with my Uncle about his dad that he had never heard. He was a blessing to all who knew him.
Grandpa Shumway
November 27, 1921– March 26, 2011
He was always so complimentary and would tell me how nice I looked even when I was in my robe with mascara under my eyes. He would compliment me on the house and make me feel like a gourmet cook no matter what I served. I was proud of the fact that we were able to get his cholesterol level way down!
I remember cheering him on as he carried the torch during the time of the Olympics. He never stopped learning or achieving spiritually as well as academically. He faithfully attended the Temple. When he moved to St. Louis, my Uncle Ray and Aunt Linda were Temple workers and enjoyed seeing him there weekly. Grandpa Shumway was from the same place my Uncle Ray's father was from in WY, and was able to share stories with my Uncle about his dad that he had never heard. He was a blessing to all who knew him.
November 27, 1921– March 26, 2011
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