The Donald Davis family assembled, united, and supported the eldest of its sons as he finalized preparations to serve God on a mission.

As Hugh traversed the concluding year of high school and subsequent year(s) in college, significant concern existed within the minds of his parents.  Hugh had always been energetic, active and fully engaged in the many aspects of his young life.  His unswerving aggressive nature in confronting life with ‘both hands’ often gave them pause as they held their collective breath.  Observing this precious son’s ‘high wire’ traversal of life’s ‘tightrope’, they naturally ‘held the reigns’ a little tighter in a concern that he might inadvertently misstep and bring the ‘whole thing’ to an untimely and tragic end.  However, such a ‘tightening of the reigns’ by these ‘unseasoned’ parents (who’d only recently received their ‘certifications’ as trained in the art of raising pre-teens) only served to strengthen Hugh’s drive and determination to ‘direct his own life’!

Having only recently uprooted the family from its familiar ‘Wasatch Front’ homestead; and having settled ‘for the time being’ in Great Falls, Montana (a locale from which the ‘ends of the earth’ could be observed), Hugh found himself in a circumstance where he could not stay with the family to continue is college education.  (The only college in town was a parochial Catholic college and certainly unsuitable for a young man anticipating a mission.)  This was of even greater import inasmuch as a military draft had been invoked in the country and young men of Hugh’s age were being compelled to serve in a combat theater in Vietnam, Southeast Asia.  Deferments were available for those pursuing a college education and choosing to serve a mission for the Church however.

It was determined that Hugh would return from Montana to attend Weber State College and live with Grandma Davis in nearby Ogden, Utah until such time as he was eligible to serve a mission.  With that, Hugh left and commenced his life separate (for the first time) from the family and under the watchful eye of our dear (and strict) Grandma Davis.

As our lives carried on with the many challenges that seemed to arise daily, we would hear from time to time how Hugh was doing.  All seemed well for a time until it was voiced (in quiet tones) that Hugh seemed to present an activity level that unhinged Grandma and she voiced concern to our parents.  Upon further consideration, it was determined that Hugh would be sheltered with Aunt Marzetta in Layton, Utah and we’d see how things went there.  Clearly Hugh’s energy and unbridled determination to fully engage his life had startled Grandma and challenged Aunt Marzetta.  Nevertheless, Hugh continued to attend college (thereby preserving his tenuous freedom) and prepare for his mission in the midst of flurry and fluster.  As he received his call from our ward there in Great Falls, a sigh of relief gradually settled over the family- it looked like Hugh would be ‘alright’!

As Hugh completed his preparations and entered the mission home in Salt Lake City, it was determined that the family would coalesce around Hugh in the final days prior to his release to his mission in the New England States.  It was in the days immediately prior to this release that this rare ‘formal’ picture of the family was taken.

Inasmuch as it was uncertain whether Dad could get the time off, arrangements were made for Mom, Reed and Tammy to travel to Utah a day or so before us to be with family there and finalize our attentions to Hugh.  As I remember it, Dad got home from work (a 60 mile drive in itself), gathered myself, Jay and Rick and lit out for Utah in our 1957 Chevrolet Belair (pink in color).  Dad being tired already, he’d drive most of the 9-10 hours through the night.  Through Butte, Montana, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and then finally into Salt Lake, we’d hurry to get there in time for a meeting that was to be held in the tabernacle on Temple Square where Hugh would speak along with the other couple hundred missionaries finalizing their preparations at the mission home.

Though the circumstance was somewhat demanding, I remember the time as also somewhat pleasant.  I believe Dad was in good spirits that Hugh’d traversed the past tenuous years and had directed himself in a most satisfying way.  I also think that with the ‘end in sight’, he was allowing himself to ‘believe it’ and rejoice in the celebration of Hugh’s choices.  This atmosphere of relief and joy spilled over into the boys in the car and we all breathed easier as we collectively sped toward his ‘farewell’.

Arriving in Salt Lake with but a few hours prior to the ‘farewell’ meeting, Hugh was able to arrange a short break from his preparations in order for a portrait to be taken.  As Mom and Dad discussed the importance of this portrait, I was astonished to realize that it would be over 7 years before the family could gather again for another portrait.  Ticking off the years one by one, it became apparent that one of the sons would be on a mission and the present hour provided a singular time in which to capture the significance of the moment.  Even more, such a portrait would serve to warm the hearts of parents as they temporarily released their treasured ‘boys’ to the care of their Father in Heaven.  A reminder of sons and family would strengthen lonely parent’s hearts as their sons served in faraway places for extended periods.  As the minutes ticked by and uncertainty loomed, finally Hugh emerged from the mission home and greeted his father and brothers.  We were all very happy to be reunited and enjoy the brief time assembled together.

Mom had arranged with a portrait studio, and we quickly drove to meet the appointment.  It was in this atmosphere of reunion that the picture was taken.  All had experienced a harried schedule that day.  Those that’d driven all night were weary.  Hugh had quickly arranged a brief respite.  But with all that, we, as a family, were truly happy to be reunited one last time from many years to come.  Younger children were excited to see their absent elder brother.  Younger brothers were proud of their older brother and his endeavor.  Parents were pleased, relieved and somewhat resolved to Hugh’s continued absence after a few brief hours reunited.  Overall, upon review, it is my considered opinion that the overriding expression of the family in this portrait is the joy of reuniting (if only briefly) with one of its own who’d been absent for an extended period!  It is valuable to note that such a joy can be so influential as to ‘come across’ in a portrait taken under such circumstances so very long ago.  Such a reunion awaits us all in another place at another time.

Following the portrait, Hugh was returned to the mission home and we all prepared to attend the farewell at the tabernacle.  As the missionaries filed in they were orderly and reverent – an impressive sight for a 17 year old such as I.  With a brief introduction, the time was turned over to the missionaries who were to bear a very brief (~1 minute) testimony.  (The logistics of so many missionaries would not permit any longer.)  As we all watched for Hugh’s turn, we quietly waited to hear his words.  Surprisingly, I do not remember anything that Hugh said.  However, I remember well the sense of pride I felt in my ‘big brother’ expressing sincere interest in ‘serving his God’ as a missionary.  It was during those few moments that I, his younger brother, determined with a little more resoluteness that I would also, one day, serve my God in like manner.  This resolution would proved necessary a couple of years later.  (But that’s another story.)  The influence of my elder brother was felt that day from several hundred feet away – an influence for good that did not subside, ever!