You're better than you think you are!

One afternoon last spring, while driving in the car by myself, I was feeling particularly overwhelmed, inadequate, and missing my dad's wise counsel and ability to always say just what I needed to hear. Sadness filled my soul and I began to cry. Just as I did, the song playing in my car immediately caught my attention. It was one of his. The one called, "The Quiet Grove".  I wanted so badly at that moment to know what advice my dad would be giving me to lift my spirits. I wanted to hear his words. I didn't have to want very long because as I listened to the words of this song, I began to feel him there with me. I soaked in the moment, crying even harder now but the tears were of gratitude and hope.  I listened closely to the words of the song because as I did so, I not only felt my dad's reassuring spirit, but I felt the spirit of God also calming my troubled heart and filling me with reassurance and peace. The part that resonated strongly with me is a part that says, "He who knows your heart, will comfort you". I know my Father in Heaven knows my heart, and because He does, He is able to teach and guide, and give me experiences that allow me to know He's there. He is aware and wants me to feel joy, peace, and hope in my life. I feel that He has also been allowing me to feel my dad very near when He knows I need him. What a gift! Oh, how grateful I am for that gift! And how grateful I am for two loving fathers who lifted me that day. It was a very palpable and very powerful experience as I could feel both helping me to know it was all going to be okay.

My dad's influence and spirit remain ever present in our lives. How we miss being able to hug him, scratch his back (he loved that so dang much!), listen to his voice, exchange corny jokes, eat his crazy pancakes with pure maple syrup, drive in his "grandpa" car, sit by the piano as he played, hear him say, "you're better than you think you are", and listen to him compliment my wonderful mom! However, we still feel reassured that he is where the Lord needs him to be. And we trust in that. We want to express our gratitude to each of you for the charity you have shown our family throughout these last 17 months and more! Thank you for being so kind to, and so aware of my mom. She has felt the sting of his passing more than any of us can imagine but she is lifted by your kindness, prayers, invitations, and love. We all love hearing how my dad has touched your life in some way. We all love knowing that he is remembered. Thank you for remembering him with us. For living some principle he taught you, for giving service to someone because you know he'd be doing that if he were here, for choosing to be good because that is what you felt from him. Although July 13th, 2015 will be a day that we will never forget, we have all the days prior to that date engrained in our hearts and souls forever. We were able to know Craig Larson! We were able to love him! We were able to be loved by him (he was especially good at that)! We were able to be taught by him! We were able to laugh with him and cry with him! We were able to feel and learn from his dedication to Jesus Christ and his Gospel. Those are gifts that can never be taken away. And I know that he would want you to know how grateful he is to each of you for taking care of us and for living good lives. Now get out there and remember that you're better than you think you are!!

We love you,
The Larson Clan

Papa's Flag Pole

Margie has always wanted a flag pole. She loves the 4th of July and all things patriotic, so she's always wanted a large flag hanging outside her window. When Craig passed away, many kind friends sent generous monetary gifts to help Margie.  She decided to use some of that money to erect a flag pole in her front yard.  It was installed a few days before Memorial Day.  Our family gathered to celebrate the holiday and to raise the flag on Papa's flag pole for the first time.  You can watch our little flag ceremony here.  Papa would have loved hearing little Craigers on the snare drum, Keith on the trombone, and Nils on the trumpet.  The whole thing made us smile. We are grateful for many friends and family for their generous support of this project.  Thank you so much! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSAMyvzPW4A&feature=youtu.be

Craig's Headstone

We wanted to honor Craig and design a headstone that was both inspiring and simple. Margie chose the words, "Arise and Shine Forth," which was the title from one of his songs. Lorraine was the creative force designing the perfect image and then a friend, Jon Bott, ultimately helped to create the headstone.

The headstone was put in place just before Memorial Day and we all gathered and sang the lyrics to the song which you can read below as we let balloons go.


Arise and Shine Forth

Arise and shine forth, there's much to do.
People you love depend on you.
Your light sets a standard all may see.
Oh then arise and shine forth faithfully!

Share the light, with all your might.
Serve with all your soul.
His name proclaim each day, through what you say.
Shine forth wherever you go!

Let goodness and virtue mark the way.
Guiding your footsteps day by day.
Arise and shine forth, that is your call.
Lifted by Him whenever you may fall.

Share the light, with all your might.
Serve with all your soul.
His name proclaim each day, through what you say.
Shine forth wherever you go.

I'll arise and shine forth, for now I see.
People I love depend on me.
My light sets a standard all may see.
I will arise and shine forth faithfully!

Shine forth.

News story about one of Craig's last musical projects

Craig, along with friend Brian Booth, were working on a project of arranging Gershwin songs when he was diagnosed with cancer. He never saw the project come to completion, but he had done enough that together with Brian's arrangements, a concert (actually several concerts) came together. Good4Utah did a news story about one of the concerts where his arrangements were performed:

Musician, who died composing last work, is honored with performance: PROVO, Utah (Abc 4 Utah) - Craig Larson, a well-known jazz pianist in Utah, had been working on his final work: an arrangement of George Gershwin songs.

Faith, Family & Friends: Photos and Video from Papa's Viewing and Funeral Services

Many thanks to our uncle, Wade Harman, who documented our dad's final earthly journey through photos and video.  Thank you Uncle Wade for taking so much time and showing so much love to our family throughout this entire journey.  We feel so blessed to have you!

The Funeral Program

A Fitting Tribute

We sincerely appreciate everyone who attended Craig's funeral, and we've posted the audio recording below for those of you who were unable to attend. The service was a fitting tribute and we want to thank each of you who participated to make it such an outstanding and spiritual experience. We continue to feel the strength of your prayers and love. Thank you all for your kindness and service on our behalf.