A Reminder

Today has been very trying, the details are unimportant, but I will simply state that my spirit started to break until I came upon these two quotes:


The first is from Carolyn Marie Brown a Facebook friend.  "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.  (Proverbs 16:7)  So don't always try and win every battle.  Sometimes we have to let go and let God do it His way. Do your best then let God do the rest!  Know that the battle is not yours, it is God's!  Just stay in the faith, stay calm, stay in peace . . . and trust God to fight your battles for you." I was about to go to battle with a member of my family of origins and what a great reminder that my role was to stay calm and peaceful and have faith that the Lord will fight this battle for me.    

The second is from Gordon B. Hinckley:  "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around and shouting that he has been robbed. The fact of the matter is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."  


As mundane or even difficult this life has been, I am truly grateful for every moment of adversity, challenges and joy that have help mold me into the the woman I have become.  I love my Heavenly Father and I love my life!

A Second Chance . . .

The other day I was about to enjoy a very casual lunch with my daughter Megan at Carl's Jr. with my youngest grandson Zack, we did our usual, setting up a table in the play area, so we can sit and chat while Zack runs around.  Then we noticed her . . . an obviously mentally ill, black, homeless woman.  She was sitting at our usual table and was talking nonstop to herself.  I guess Mommy-radar kicked in or maybe I was just too paranoid, but I hustled Megan and Zack out of there quickly and we ate out in the normal dining area.   I had talked to the Asst. Mgr. and she told me that the woman came in quite often and they just let her sit out there.  I was struck by their kindness and realized that maybe I had over-reacted.  I felt compelled to go out and speak to this woman and see if she needed something to eat.  I quietly approached her and spoke -- she looked up at me with the most innocent, angelic eyes I've ever seen in an adult.  She completely melted my heart and I felt true humility for having pre-judged this special, sweet spirit.  Of course I bought her lunch, she really didn't want much more than French Fries, (she was trying to be very unselfish) but she got an entire combo meal.  I am so grateful for this 2nd chance, for this lesson of humility, for the few minutes of being in the presence of someone I know has to be destined for exaltation.  

So Long Old Friend

Today, I sadly bid farewell to an old friend.  They have weathered the funeral of my grandparents, cousin, favorite uncle, nephew, dear friends and my beloved son-in-law.  They've traveled to foreign countries, danced aboard a ship, tapped out rhythms at concerts, musicals and ballets.  They've walked long lonely steps when I felt utterly alone and jumped up and down with me in joy.  They've watched every one of my grandchildren be blessed, Megan be baptized, Ben be ordained as a deacon, Duane be ordained an elder and Pete be ordained a High Priest.  They've walked inside of countless temples, walked me inside of the Dallas Temple when Becky and Duane were sealed, walked me into the OKC Temple when Megan and Ben were married, and rested on my feet as I knelt in prayer.  I've worn them to weddings, practically every Sunday and dress occasion for the last 23 years.  Yes, 23 years.  The heels were chewed up by Becky's puppy she bought when she was 14 years old -- and yes, I still wore them.  I bid you farewell, you now rest comfortably in the trash (the girls threatened to bury you with me.) you've been replaced but will never, ever be forgotten.  I truly loved you.

One Long Month

Recently, we lost our courageous, kind, honorable, loving SiL. Duane, was truly gracious until the end of his journey. He greeted each person with a poised face, a smile, if he could manage it, and ended every conversation with a handshake, hug or even kiss and a tenderly uttered; "'Til we meet again." I am so proud of this great man, he has paved the way and set the example for all of us to follow. The key is to be able to combine life's great challenges with graciousness, courage, humor and love. Thank you Duane, for all that you taught our family, for being such an extraordinary example to all men on how to love and care for their family and for being NOT my SiL, but my son.

It's difficult to believe that this is the one month anniversary of Duane's passing. As difficult as these "pangs of the heart" have been, I've observed that we have knitted together even stronger as a family, developed strength, and gratefully allowed the Holy Ghost bestow peace in our hearts.

The Ring, The Ring!

ACK!!!! My dear husband dislocated his knuckle last night -- on his wedding ring finger. A friend that was with him did the manly thing, he popped it back into place. Can you say eewww??? Sometime in the middle of the night, he woke me up to let me know that he thought his finger was swelling, well THAT was an understatement. I put together an icepack and he slept with that, but this morning, he woke up to a finger about 3 times its normal size and it was a dark purple! Fortunately, we knew that our local jewelry store was able to cut off his ring, so off he went. The finger survived, but the ring was a total disaster. Well, lets hope in the fairly near future they can repair the ring.

Today is my birthday and I spent it just about exactly the way I would want to, with my family. Unfortunately, my precious, dear husband of 33 year was out of town on business, had he been here and if it had not rained, it would’ve been a perfect day. So, to celebrate my birthday I am going to introduce to you two of the most precious pieces of my heart . . .

These two incredible, beautiful women are the joys of my life. In spite of my failings, they have turned out to be the bravest, kindest, most righteous women I know. They are perfect in their imperfections. I couldn't be prouder or more blessed to be able to say that I am their mother. Thank you Heavenly Father for these two true and great blessing in my life.

Becky, my oldest daughter is fighting the biggest battle of her life, to keep her large family sane and normal during her dear husband's battle against colon cancer. She has 7 perfect children (hey, I'm the grammy I can make that claim.) and still finds time to blog, serve in the Primary Presidency at church and perfect her cooking skills. Becky, is one of the best cooks I've ever known! She's beautiful inside and out and has the most melodic laugh you'll ever hear.

Megan, the baby of the family is still relatively a newlywed, pregnant with her first child and a cancer survivor herself. She underwent surgery when she was 16 years old to remove a malignant brain tumor; it was a lengthy battle that she won. Megan is obsessively organized and neat and puts everyone else in the family to shame. She makes the most perfect dinner rolls and cookies you'll ever lay eyes on and taste. Her eyes are the true windows to her soul and like her older sister is beautiful inside and out.