Farewell

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent . O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever." Psalm 30

This blog started with the 30th Psalm and shall end with the same. I believe it reflects completely the thoughts of Cindy and the Simpson family. Cindy did not live this life in sadness nor did she want to leave it that way. She wanted a celebration. On Sunday afternoon, Floyd and the kids were gathered in the master bedroom. On the floor, near the bed was a game board and the "kids" sat cross legged, each taking their turn as they played the game of LIFE. Her passing, I imagine, was made a little easier as she left hearing the laughter and sound of the voices of those she loved most

Cindy crossed over with little regret. She lived a good life. She believed and loved, served and accepted people openly and lovingly. A task assumed was performed with energy, enthusiasm, integrity and commitment. We who knew her well understood that her irresistible smile and gentle nature were no indication that she was a push-over. Her tenacity and strong will kept her with us for many more good years than some would have predicted. Only her firm faith in God would over ride her desire to remain here with her family.

Earlier this week a dear friend and neighbor crossed the street to Simpson’s house and sat at Cindy’s bedside. Though Cindy was unable to speak at that time, a brief expression of understanding crossed over her face when this friend said, “I am here to be visit taught.” For years Cindy had been a Visiting Teacher to this dear friend, and knowing that she would not want to leave this undone, she put herself in the place to one last time feel Cindy’s warm spirit. Sometimes the spirit speaks clearly with no words. As she rose to leave her sister in the gospel promised she would report that her visit for this month was complete. While there are events coming one after the other that Cindy did not want to miss, Floyd put it best when he said "Mom is now going to be everywhere. Motivating us all".

Cynthia J. Simpson

06/28/1959 -04/10/2011

After a seventeen year battle with Breast Cancer, Cynthia Jane Simpson died April 10, 2011 in her home in Farmington, UT surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, Floyd James Simpson and her Children: Joshua Curtis and Tori Emily Simpson, Sierra and Roy Charles Shuldberg, Arielle Simpson and Benjamin Keith Simpson. She is also survived by her parents, Roland E. and Margaret Curtis and two sisters, Anne Curtis and Virginia Curtis.

Cindy was born in the pink military hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 28, 1959, and because she was part of a military family, she spent her younger years following her father around the world to places like Paris, France; Stuttgart, Germany; and Panama City, Panama. She often shared her childhood memories of these exotic places with her children. It was during these younger years that Cindy was introduced to dancing when her parents began round dancing. Dancing became one of the great loves of her life.

She went on to become a member of the Rick’s College Ballroom and Folkdance teams and was able to tour with them around the country. She then went on to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and danced on their International Folkdance team and toured places like Russia, Hungary, and Romania. After graduating from BYU with her Bachelor's degree, she moved to Ogden, Utah and was the selected as one of the student directors of the Ogden LDS Institute Folkdancers. It was in this group that she met and married her favorite dance partner, Floyd. Together they danced around the world in beautiful countries including Austria, Switzerland, and China. Cindy also shared her love of dance with children by teaching several younger dance groups in Utah and California and started her own team called Smokey Mountain Cloggers.

Cindy always had a contagious love for life and service. Her husband and children share fond memories of countless family service projects for those she found needing help. She loved spending time with youth, in particular young women. Her husband cannot recall a year during their marriage that she missed going to Girl’s Camp with the young women of the LDS church. She loved the values taught there. Her love for youth extended to Davis High School Marching Band where she was a devoted "Band Mom" for 4 years. All who met her felt of her love and passion for life. There was never a time when Cindy was not smiling. One of her greatest accomplishments in life was her ability to make anyone smile, no matter the circumstance, and never missing the opportunity to do so.

“When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.“ Lee Ann Womack I Hope You Dance

Funeral and Viewing Information:

Viewing will be held on Thursday April 14th from 6pm to 8pm at the Russon Brothers Funeral Home
1941 North Main St. Farmington Utah 84025

Funeral Service will be held Friday April 15th at 11am at LDS Stake Center 729 West Shepard Lane, Farmington Utah 84025
There will be a Friday Morning viewing from 9:30am-10:30am at the stake center.

All Are Welcome.

Setting Sail

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:

'Here she comes!"

And that is dying.
Henry Van Dyke

Cindy Simpson passed away this evening surrounded by her family.

Fair winds, good friend.

Emotions

God made both tears and laughter, and both for kind purposes; for as laughter enables mirth and surprise to breathe freely, so tears enable sorrow to vent itself patiently. Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair and madness. --Leigh Hunt

This is a favorite quote of mine. Another favorite is taken from the movie "Steel Magnolias" when the character played by Dolly Parton expresses "laughter through tears is one of my favorite emotions." Lately however, there seems to have been more tears at the Simpson home. A few weeks ago Cindy received the news that the cancer in her brain was no longer responding to the treatment. The cancer growth is aggressive. I had the honor of visiting her the day she received the news. There were many tears shed but somehow in spite of all the doom and gloom that our human minds turn to, Cindy's incredible smile, sense of humor and love of life burst forth. Over the past few weeks she has been able to visit with dear, lifelong friends, continues to have neighbors and ward members bring service and love into her home, and has the unremitting care from her kids and the tender devotion of Floyd. (I think everyone should have a "Floyd" in their life!!! Of course he feels the same about Cindy! True love!)

While she has currently lost the ability to communicate with others through speech, her eyes and smile and yes even a few stern looks of determination do the job quite well. Her worries are not for herself, but rather for others.

"What dorm will Ben apply to live in at school?" "Floyd don't hurt yourself." "Arielle needs to go shopping for the Miss Utah contest." "There is much to do before Josh graduates from the Academy.", "I wonder how Sierra is doing today!" "I need to go help Mom, while Dad has his treatments." "It is time to make band bread, again".

In the years I have known Cindy I cannot recall her ever saying the word "me" and never a "poor me" or "why me". I thought of her while listening to General Conference yesterday. Brother Bednar commented on the song the choir was to sing just after his speech "Have I Done Any Good". As the choir sang each verse I made a mental check list, "have I cheered up the sad" yup Cindy has done that, "made someone feel glad?" yup, that one too! "if they needed my help was I there?" always! With this in mind I have determined to follow her example. Those of you who might read this blog can count yourselves among the lucky folk who know and call Cindy friend.

Visits are welcomed but it is asked that you please call first before stopping by and if you do visit, it is asked that you make it short and remember two way conversations, right now are hard, so be cautious in asking too many questions. And dreaded looks of pity are not welcomed!

Now Cindy would not want this to be a "sad" post because she is not a "sad" person. She downright loves life! She loves her kids! Loves her friends! Loves Floyd! And perhaps most of all, loves the Lord. She trusts in Him. While we don't know what the future will bring we do know this. We also know that Cindy will continue to live her life with joy and has the desire to serve. Like a great wizard she waves her smile as if it were a wand and leaves a trail of joy. With the help of neighbors, aka friends, she continues to have bread for the band on Thursday. Just this past Thursday I was driving back into the neighborhood as a train of cars was leaving. Each car was filled with "band kids", all smiling and laughing seeming to enjoy life having just come from the Simpson home. Now that is magic!