Laurel Ann Gay Gibson

By Charles Elwood Gay II

Though I had met my Aunt Laurel as a child, I didn’t really get to know her until I went to school at B.Y.U. in 1974. As I’m sure anyone else would say who knew her, I love Aunt Laurel. She had the sweetest most endearing personality, while at the same time was a very witty character.

I spent many Sunday afternoons at Laurel’s listening to story after story of family experiences, and her many experiences in the Church.

When I came to Provo in 1974 I drove a beautifully restored 1954 Plymouth, all the way from California. I had absolutely no problems with it as I drove it across the deserts of Nevada, and on through to Utah. The car was my pride and joy.

Well, one afternoon I mentioned to Laurel that I had never been to Heber City. I told her that I would like to drive up there and asked her if she would like to come along. She told me that the altitude was much higher there than down in Provo, and if she went we couldn’t stay long because of her bad heart. I agreed that we would make a quick trip of it and we were soon on our way. Up the canyon we wound until we crossed the dam at Deer Creek Reservoir. As we crossed the dam we came upon a large curve to the left, where there is a cliff running along the right side of the road and a long drop—off into the lake on the left. In the middle of my lane was a large rock. It all happened so quick and I made a quick judge ment and felt that my car would pass over the rock between the tire and the engine. I thought I had sufficient clearance, but the rock hit dead center in the middle of the oil pan. I hadn’t wanted to swerve the car as I knew it would shake up Aunt Laurel. Well the rock hitting the engine really shook her up. As I stopped the car, and asked her if she was airight, she grabbed her chest, and breathing very heavily said that she immediately needed to get to lower altitude...back down into the valley in a hurry! I quickly swung under the car and saw oil gushing out of the oil pan with each stroke of the engine.

I remembered having seen a pay phone on the other side of the dam. I quickly swung the car around, and went to the pay phone to call a tow truck. I knew that if I attemped to drive several miles to the valley, the car would be totaled.

As I flipped through the yellow pages, I looked over at the car. Laurel was motioning me back. I ran over and again she said she had to get down, NOW! Well, I had to make a quick decision, it was either my cherished car, or my Aunt Laurel. Which was more important?

I hopped in the car and we drove down, and the sound of the engine grew louder and louder as it quickly lost it’s lubrication. The piston rings, the bearings, all moving parts were scrapping and grinding, and finally came to a stop as we came to a small rise and the valley came into view a short distance off.

I got out, pushed the heap to the side of the road and immediately a pick up truck pulled over. (I later sold the car for #35.00.) Within a few short minutes we were at Laurel’s house. The most traumatic part of the ordeal for her was that the man in the pickup had a pistol in a holster sitting on the seat. That didn’t even affect me. I was just thankful to see Aunt Laurel breathing at a normal pace again, and knowing that all would be well with her.

This was a great experience for me. Not only was I brought closer to Laurel, but I learned a great lesson. I had been somewhat materialistic, placing more value in things than in people. I was taught that the greatest value in life is the relationship with those whom we love.