Beach Haven

Week of 27 February 1984

Grammy Beach (Mom’s mother-in-law) came home from the hospital. Mom herself was recuperating from foot surgery. She noted “really had at work today on crutches, arms and back and shoulders sore from putting weight on crutches.” She suffered from a touch of flu that week as well.

That Friday night she heard two loud booms. It turned out that there were explosions out at Thiokol where Dad worked. She was glad he was in CA for the Navy Reserve so not onsite when it happened. The building that blew up was just behind the building Mom worked in. Several people were hurt, but thankfully nobody killed. She wrote, “overhead cranes loose from M-52, M-53 doors blown off and air sucked out of building, people couldn’t breath, ran outside, many acts of heroism. News media had it all screwed up. Said 35 people killed, not true.”
​

Week of 20 February 1984

Mom talked with her mother (Grammy Miller) this week. Learned my other grandmother (Grammy Beach) had a fall that week and was in the hospital. Another relative, Florence Gower Heckman, died of a heart attack at the young age of 46.

The previous week she mentioned an upcoming surgery with no specifics. This time she noted the specifics. “Went to Logan and had foot operated on. Took wedge shaped piece of bone out of top of foot. Wired 2 bones together. Have to be in cast for 1 month. On crutches for a week.”

That note was on Friday. On Saturday she notes that she was in pain all day. She says ‘the kids’ did the housework and waited on her. Curtis came over and helped. We all played games that night. She talked to Dad by phone. He was in San Diego for the Navy and staying at the house of ‘Uncle Ted’. Ted is Dad’s uncle. When Michelle and I lived in San Diego a few years after this, we got to know him and his wife. On Sunday she complained that we kids all left her and went to a missionary farewell in Brigham City. Despite our telling her not to go to work on Monday because of the pain she said, “But must, will take it easy today.”
​

Week of 23 Jan 1984

That Monday states, “Dan stayed out too late – grounded.” The next day he was running a fever, then later that day Lisa began to have a fever also. The next day, Crystal followed suit. She doesn’t say anything about Jessie getting sick, but on Wednesday she notes that Jessie is getting better, then on Friday, she gets worse again.

This week, Dad flew out to San Diego for a trip with the Navy. After listing a bunch of chores, on Saturday Mom notes that she went to the gym and worked out, then went into a sauna. I have no idea which gym. She doesn’t say. Dad’s trip was only over the weekend, so she had to go back to the airport Sunday afternoon to pick him up. That day was very foggy. They got home late in the evening. Dad had brought her a silver necklace and a leather purse from Tiajuana. 
​

Week of 12 September 1983

Lisa was suffering from toxemia, and the family truck broke down. That was a bad start to the week. Lisa lost work time, and so did Mom as she went to Salt Lake City to help take care of her for a few days. Mom visited the temple and did some shopping. She picked up a prescription from Lisa’s doctor.

Mom was back at work on Thursday. She wrote four letters (she doesn’t say to whom). She notes, “Dan finally passed his driver's test.” On that Friday their new fireplace was delivered. I assume she means a newer wood-burning stove in the living room. Dad had his Navy Chief’s initiation that week, and Mom was up with him the night before making sure his 'uniform' was all perfect and ready. She said, “He’s a nervous wreck, but cute in his dress and wig (blue).” Yes, that's really what she meant. As one might guess, an initiation in the Navy is all about humiliation. I had a similar get-up when I crossed the equator on the USS Duluth years after this.
​
She had to work with the bank to straighten out “check protection”. I’m sure there is a story behind that, but she doesn’t share it. Lisa wasn’t getting any better, so the doctor put her in the hospital. Mom and Dad spent some time on Saturday looking for a new truck. By the time she got back down to Salt Lake City on Sunday, Lisa was doing much better.

Week of 18 July 1983

Aside from the normal list of things done during the week, There were three unique notes she shares. First, Dad hurt his wrist at work and when to the hospital. Nothing was broken. He recuperated throughout the week, but still went to work. Dan had been riding his bike to school regularly, but apparently some kids had been taking it apart while he was in class. He started to bring the bike into school. 

Despite the bad wrist, Dad had some positive news this week. He was informed that he made Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserve! They celebrated with a cake. Dad became BMC Beach. BMC stands for Bos'n's Mate Chief.