Anson's Poem

Anson's Poem

It is always fun to find little things in the boys' backpacks from school that give some insight into what they are thinking and how they view things.  Anson just finished studying different types of poems in his second grade class.  This was the worksheet that he used to create a poem.  It is pretty funny and also touching.  Clearly he really misses his sister and recognizes his father's aversion to screaming girls. 



First name: Devin (Dad)
2 Physical Characteristics: Brown hair, Brown eyes
3 Personality Traits: cool, funny, loyal
Sister or Brother of: Matt Shumate
Who loves (two things): Ella and me
Who fears (two things): screaming girls and car crashes
Who wishes (two things): there were no wars, my sister was still alive
Who creates (two things): laughs and pinewood derby cars
Who wonders about (two things): why people die and why school couldn't be shorter
Who dreams (two things): my sister could be alive
Who remembers (three things): Ella, his grandparents, Sea World
Who believes: Families can be together forever
Last name: Shumate

The Ella Award

The Ella Award 

Last week, we were invited to the pre-kindergarden graduation at Tanner & Anson's elementary school.  Ella would have been in this class this year and the school wanted to do something special to recognize her.  Dacia was asked about Ella's personality so they could find a little girl that Ella would have had fun playing with.  The Ella Award was presented by the principal, Ms Houck, as the final award before the closing videos and pictures. 



The "Ella Award"

This is Alley, who was presented with the award and her parents.After the ceremony, the children and their families went outside for a balloon release for Ella, just like we did at her Washington burial.  This was all planned by the school and PTO without our knowledge or involvement.

They also set up a table with Ella's picture, a pink flower and a pink balloon.  This is the Saxe Gotha Elementary principal, who came to visit our family at the hospital after the accident.  When she came into the room last May, the boys suddenly became very serious.  We should have her over more often!  Apparently the boys haven't told Joseph anything about her. 

Pink for Ella on Mother's Day

Pink for Ella on Mother's Day

The couple in the center of the above picture is our Bishop and his wife, Pame.  On the 16th of every month since the accident, she has made it a point to let Dacia know that she remembers Ella.  Some months it was a beautifully touching email and some months she brought brightly colored flowers.  Every month it was something special. 
This week will be one year since the accident and the McHugh family really surprised us this time.  As we walked into church today, EVERY man and boy had a pink tie and EVERY woman and girl had a pink bow.  Looking out on the congregation, it was overwhelming to see the entire congregation of 160 or so "remembering Ella". Her two best friends in the above picture wore the pinkest clothes they had.  Also impressive was that all of the girls' bows were handmade!  It is very easy to feel the love of our Savior when we are surrounded by such good people.  

This was taken prior to Priesthood meetings.   

Then we found that they also contacted family and friends in Washington and we were further surprised to have these pics trickle in all Sunday.  

Mom & Dad Shumate

Mom & Dad Call

Ella's best friend, Mia and her brother, Tucker.

Devin's brother Matt and his family in Spokane, WA. 

Dacia's brother Jacob and his family in Florida.  

Jacob's entire family in Florida got in on the fun!

Devin's brother Travis and his family in Tacoma, WA.

Dacia's sister, Dani and her family in Hawaii. 

And more of our friends from both the east and west coasts: