My Brother From Another Mother

By Lester Ann Hyde Jensen 

Soon after we moved from Raymond to Rosemary Mom and Dad got word from the Nephi Atwood family.  Dad’s beloved Aunt Jessie had given birth to a healthy baby boy, and she had died in childbirth.  The baby was named Roger.  Dad was so sad to receive this news and made plans to go to the funeral in Jaffray, BC.  Mom elected to stay home and take care of the chores while he was away.   

Before he left for the funeral, he asked mom what she thought of asking his Uncle Nephi if he could bring the baby boy home, and they could raise him.  There were no boys in our family, and mom knew how much Dad appreciated all the Nephi and Jessie Atwood family had done for him, so she agreed.  It was a good idea. 

When Dad approached the man, he called “Uncle”, with the proposal, Nephi thanked Dad for the offer, but he wanted to keep the family all together.  The oldest brother in the family, Lynsey, had offered to take all the children into his family.  Dad was somewhat disappointed but honored the Atwood’s wishes.  I had heard this story many times and felt like it might have been good to have had a brother.   

Fast forward about seventy, or so, years.  I was working as an ordinance worker in the Cardston Temple.  Roger and his wife, Carol, were called as temple workers and were assigned to the same shift as mine.  Not long after, Roger and Carol and I were sitting together at a table in the temple cafeteria.  Our conversation went to the topic of his almost being my brother.  I asked if he knew the story about that.  “Oh yes, I grew up knowing all about it.”  was his response.  I had often wondered if he knew about it.   

Since then, we have discussed the situation, how my Dad always felt grateful for what the Nephi and Jessie Atwood family did for him, and Roger’s satisfaction about being wanted by two families when he was left without his mother.  His is grateful for the home his oldest brother provided for him and for the other family who would have taken him into their home and their hearts if they had been given the opportunity. 

Every time I see Roger, he says, “Hello my Sista from another mother.”