I haven’t mentioned my brother and sisters because I have
adopted a special standard of personal privacy.
I don’t write about anyone that is alive. That way, no one gets in trouble.
But, it has been nearly 30 years since my sister Trula has
died. It seems about time to write about
her. But, this is not a simple
biography, no dates to hang your hat on.
This is a brief remembrance of a sweet woman.
I have never been able to figure out she got her name. Mom and Dad could never remember how they
came up with Trula, but they did.
Trula was five years older than me. She was in high school before I was really
cognizant of the life around me. In high
school I remember her art work. She liked
to work in clay, throwing pots and other pieces. A piece that she was particularly proud of
was large vase. It had a glaze that was
several shades of yellow. Inside she had
dried flowers and a peacock tail feather.
I remember this pot because I once tripped and my head fell into the
dried flowers. Some bizarre little ball
of burrs landed in my eye and I was forced to visit the doctor. For a week I was soaking my eyeball in warm
water and Epsom salts. At the same time
the doctor was picking little slivers out of my eye. I remember that vase very well!
Physically, Trula was short.
Around her, I felt tall! But,
beyond height, I couldn’t measure up to Trula.
She was hard working and persistent.
After high school, she put herself through college, first obtaining an
Associate’s Degree in accounting, they later transferring to a four year
college, the University of Utah. There
she acquired her BS in mine engineering.
The one story I wonder about, but Mom swore that it was
true: Dad always wanted an engineer in the family. Neither John nor I had the interest. Me, I didn’t have the aptitude. Well Trula knew Dad wanted an engineer, so
she majored in engineering.
Dad was also proud of Trula and her intelligence. In her senior year at the University of Utah,
she won an award from the Mine engineering Department. Dad was very proud of Trula, that night.
While she was at the University of Utah, she worked at a
credit union. She helped me negotiate a
loan for my first car. I was able to buy
a brand new, metallic blue Chevette with her help.
After graduation she worked in coal mines in eastern Utah
and Western Colorado.
Trula was generous to everyone. During one of the several times that I was
unemployed, Trula offered me a place to stay if I wanted to come down and work
in Carbon County. I stayed in Salt Lake,
but her house was always open.
Trula died too young.
She had two young boys. Unfortunately, I have not kept up with these
two, but they have grown up into fine young men. I am
certain she is very proud of her two sons and her two grandchildren as well.
Trula was a unique lady.
She was kind, generous, and incredibly intelligent. To this day, I miss her.
