by Willis Robinson
A high schoolteacher to most of the Blad children,
A Bishop to the whole Blad family,
and, second husband of Jeanne Blad
The miracle begins when you shake hands with a Blad. The handshake usually turns into a hug but is always accompanied by twinkling eyes and smiling face.
I remember when Father and Mother Blad and daughters would walk into an otherwise calm and cool choir practice, being held in the little old church in Panaca. The Blad spirit took over and nothing was ever quite the same again; the music was sweeter, the refreshments tasted better and the spirit of love filled the place.
Blads come in many shapes and sizes but often, after being run through the Blad press, other lives become more open, honest, and well rounded in depth.
Every person influences every other person in the world by their personal radiation; with this family however, the positive is accentuated, "put downs" and criticisms are held to a minimum; love blooms with creativity and production following.
A Blad family get together is something. Instead of the usual formal greeting, male Balds often end up in a wrestling match on the floor or lawn. In the open society of Blads, peace and love blooms while great quantities of food are consumed. There, ponderous religious and social problems are discussed and sometimes resolved. They also sound off in other ways; many weddings, funerals, and choral services of various kinds are brightened and sweetened by a Blad solo, duet, trio or other ensembles.
One Blad gene also seems to have some sporting blood involvement. These people are great competitors, all in fun, they will do their utmost to out do you in baseball, ping pong, football, track and field events, as well as fishing, hunting, or tiddlewinks.