And I Think to Myself....

I see trees of green

Red roses, too.  I watch them bloom for me and you.

And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue

And clouds of white

The bright blessed day

The dark sacred night

And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by.

I see friends shaking hands,

Saying, How do you do?

They're really saying, 'I love you'!

I hear babies cry

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world!

May I Quote You?

Have you ever been quoted?  Have you ever received validation by someone using your own words of wisdom?  

As our family gathered at Thanksgiving, one of our topics of conversation gravitated toward Bucket Lists.
We all divulged our personal desires and enjoyed learning more about each other.  When it came to Brian's turn, he surprised us all when he said  he would like to have something he said be considered worthy of hanging on someone's wall.

You know, why not?  Who decides which quotes end up on plaques and frames anyway? 

Imagine our surprise then, when two of our creative children took this idea and ran with it.  Robert and Josalyn decided to take Brian at his word and came up with a wildly unique, innovative Christmas gift for the whole family.

While Brian served as bishop, his ward clerk compiled a list of "Bishop Haws Quotes", quite a random collection of pithy, witty, often silly, and always uniquely wise things that Brian said during bishopric meetings.  Rob and Jos chose one of these quotes, enlisted an online designer to turn it into a cross-stitch pattern, then gave each of us the materials to create our own wall hanging; thus fulfilling an item from Brian's bucket list.

I think I am the first one done! 

It was a fun project.  As I reacquainted myself with cross-stitching, I thought about a lot of things.

  I thought about the value of thoughtful gifts, ones that needn't cost a lot of money but that tune into a unique interest of the recipient. 

I thought about a husband who quietly serves, strives to be a man of integrity, and who sets a great example for his family. 

I thought about a sister who could have done the designing for Robert if he would have known about her amazing skills. 

 I thought about what an honor it would be to be remembered for something profound we may have said. 

Potential: Mining the depths?

I have been thinking a lot about potential.  To what degree are we utilitzing our innate, God-given potential?  Are we mining clear to the depths, exploring every possibility, stretching and building every muscle?  Or are we merely skimming the surface, making do with the acceptable, leaving untapped the most valuable resources of all?

Honestly, the impetus for this train of thought has sprung from my son, Robert.  Naturally as his mother I have always considered him a wealth of brilliance, talent, skill, and of course, boundless potential.  And he has never let me down.  I have seen in him qualities of a great leader, a great scholar, a great musician.  While becoming a great missionary, a great husband, and a great father, he continues to cultivate those gifts that are unique to him.

During our last visit with him and his family, he overwhelmed us with an overview of his future aspirations.  I always expected great things from him, but he has set his sights even higher than they've ever been.  The sky is not the limit for this man; he truly seems to be shooting for the stars, setting goals that will stretch himself to perform, to lead, to tackle great challenges.

My counsel to my son?  Go for it!  You take the gifts you have been given and stretch them to their very limits, and then watch them grow even more.  I have felt from the beginning of your life that you are destined for greatness.

President Gordon B. Hinckley would give you this counsel:

‎"The Lord would want you to be successful. He would. You are His sons and His daughters. He has the same kind of love and ambition for you that your earthly parents have. They want you to do well and you can do it."

Don't stop believing in yourself, nor in giving credit where it is due, that being your Father in Heaven.  All blessings come from Him.  Determine to serve Him and He will help you always.

Honeymoons and Exotic Places

Should you, or shouldn't you?  That is the question.  Should you take a honeymoon to some exotic place, or should you spend this important "get-to-know-you" time in a familiar setting?

The data has been collected with this conclusion:  if the opportunity affords itself to go somewhere uniquely beautiful, DO IT!  Just DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

Brian and I have tried to send our married children off in a big way.  Using points from our Disney Vacation Club membership, our gift to the newlyweds has been a Disney Cruise.  Robert and Josalyn cruised in June of 2008 down the Mexican Riviera, leaving from a port in Southern California. 

Erica and Derek recently cruised out of Florida for a honeymoon trip through the Bahamas.

 
Brian and I, too, were fortunate to fly off to some far away, exotic place to begin our married lives together.  We were thrilled to have a week in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.  For both of us, it was our first trip out of the country and it sounded very extravagant and romantic to us.  For the most part, it was.  Do have I any regrets?  Yes.  We had a lousy camera that took very poor photos, so most of our memories are stored on our internal memory discs.  And as unseasoned travelers to third world countries, naivete in drinking unsafe water and eating unsafe produce had very unfortunate effects.  When you are spending 24 hours a day with someone you adore, it takes away a little of the glamour when half of that time is spent in the bathroom....

It's MY party!

August 17th.  One of my favorite days.  When I was a child my favorite thing to do on August 17th was to go swimming.  I think it is one of the reasons I love hot, summer days.  Perfect time for a birthday.

This year I totally spoiled myself on August 17th.  I ate leftover wedding cake for breakfast.  I played with my granddaughter, Evelyn.  I took her to the beautiful Salem Carousel.  I played golf with my favorite people.  And I went out for Italian food, my favorite. 

I was also spoiled by the people who love me.  Miranda wrote me an amazing poem.  Erica called me from her honeymoon ship.  Jackie called me while I was on the golf course.  Robert and Josalyn stayed a few extra days so they could celebrate with me.  Brian gave me concert tickets to see Harry Connick, Jr. in September.

I feel so blessed.  I have a wonderful life, surrounded by wonderful family and friends.  I suppose that even though birthdays add onto my ever-expanding age, they are a great time to take stock of one's life, count one's blessings, and make new goals for the upcoming years.  I love August 17th.

Zippity-ay and Heidi-ho!

There is one thing grandmothers should never miss--their grandchildren's birthdays.  Yes, I put a package in the mail a few days ago, and yes, I allowed plenty of time for it to reach its destination, and yes, I handpicked gifts that I thought would delight her.  But I am not there.  I am not with my granddaughter on her first birthday.  Feeling quite at a loss.

What a year full of love we have had, fortunate to see her several times during her first twelve months.  Evelyn's parents have done a great job recording her first year with wonderful photographs.  So here is a birthday celebration of the little lady whom I love so much.

I love you, Miss Evelyn.  You fill our lives with joy.