Category: Family

Relationships, children, and the dynamics between family members.

A Family Story

Jeanne Leave a comment

Here is a vacation story when I was about 13 years old. Our family (Mom, Dad, me, and my sister, who was 17) were going to Disneyland. My sister and I had planned and planned and looked at maps. We were so excited. I don’t think Mom or Dad were that excited at all, but they knew we were. We’d been talking about it ever since Disneyland opened a few years before we planned to go.

So my dad, who is a car mechanic–a really good one–gets his boss to lend him a car that has air conditioning, because we are driving there and it;s probably going to be hot, and my Mom hates to be hot.

So we took off, and along the way we stopped at Zions National Park the next morning. While we stopped and parked and went into a gift shop, something really bad happened in the car’s engine. All of the electrical wiring burned up! Without all the wires, the engine won’t even start or run at all. There’s no parts store or garage in Zions. But, my very smart and kind Dad spent the hot day out in the parking lot fixing the engine using only what he had is his small tool box–while we lounged in the gift shop and cafe…waiting..(and worrying).

He was out in the sun so long that the top of his forehead and head got sunburned, and it turned into a huge blister that covered the whole top of his head! He hardly mentioned it, and certainly didn’t complain. He actually was able to fix the car, to our great joy; however, he could not fix the AC! Over the next few hours of driving across the hot desert at night, that whole fluid-filled blister sagged down toward his eyes, making him look like an owl, but he was so determined that we have a great vacation that he did everything with joy and enthusiasm!

He seemed to love Disneyland, and he even barked like the seals in Knott’s Berry Farm..and he never complained.

Now, that was love! The kind of love families have. No one will ever love you like your family does. Try to notice the kind things they do for you all the time, and know how lucky you are to have a fun-loving family.

You know…I don’t know that I ever thanked my Dad for all he did for us on that vacation..Be sure to see the kind things your Mom and Dad do for you, and just a quick thank you sentence will mean a lot to them.

Also, when I was in grade school, I noticed a cute plush elephant in the window of the Lowe Drug store in Montpelier. I mentioned it to Mom and Dad, but they didn’t have a lot of money, and couldn’t just always buy me what I wanted. One day my Dad said he’d drive me back to school after lunch (I wold walk home for lunch) and he stopped by the Lowe Drug and bought me the elephant! I was so happy!

The Lowe Drug elephant is on the left. They are all dressed in robes I made from washcloths.

Her Hands Were Just Too Little

Jeanne Leave a comment

I stumbled across an old journal entry yesterday and thought to use it this week. My Grand Daughter, who was 4 years old at the time of the journal entry, wanted to play with her dollhouse. It was in her bedroom, but she wanted it out in the living room by me, so that she could show me all the things it could do. She was gone for a few minutes, and I was busy doing some dumb thing. She came out looking very sad and showed me her hands and said, “They’re just too little. They are not big enough. They are not strong enough!” The look on her face matched her destressing words. I then realized that she was too little to carry the dollhouse by herself. I went in her room and saw her futile efforts. I carried the dollhouse into the living room, and we had a good time examining it’s possibilities.

Don’t we all get tired, and aren’t there times when we just can’t do it all ourselves? We really do need each other, in all sorts of ways. All of us might be able to say that we just aren’t strong enough, and that our hands are too small! I hope we are there for each other whenever any of us say that, and I hope we can feel the love when the job gets done because somebody helped us.

And then there are those times when our world falls apart, and even though friends or family try to comfort and help, we are still left broken, or hurt, or in despair–beyond the reach of any hands, except those of Jesus.

President Russell M. Nelson, prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has counseled1 “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world. Turn to Him! Follow Him!”

There is nothing like His power to apply comfort, understanding, or peace to us as we turn to Him in times of need. He knows us and loves us perfectly, and suffered in Gethsemane that he might know how to succor each of us. He descended below all things that he might be able to lift us up.

.1 Conference Address. April 2023. Entire text can be found on churchofjesuschrist.org under conference messages, April 2023 “The Answer is Always Jesus.”

Paradise, Earth and Community Effort (P.E.A.C.E.) is committed to help solve pollution in all forms. This blog is an appendage of that non-profit corporation: our-peace.org

OLLIE’S SONG

Jeanne Leave a comment

Come away wee little laddie.
Lean your head upon my breast.
Come away with me to dreamland.
Close your eyes and take a rest.

Oh, wee lad, you are a treasure;
More than silver, more than gold.
You’re a gift sent straight from Heaven;
Ours to love and ours to hold.

May the stars that light the heavens
Sine their light throughout the night,
Stand a watch as you are sleeping,
‘Til the morning shines her light.

May the son1 shine down upon you;
Keep you safe and keep you warm.
May our love abide forever;
Keep you far away from harm.

Oh, wee lad, you are a treasure;
More than silver, more than gold.
You’re a gift sent straight from Heaven;
Ours to love and ours to hold.

May you always know we love you,
Little Laddie, boy of mine!

Children and Grandchildren pay tribute to their fathers and grandfathers on Father’s Day, but, today we celebrate the blessing of family…parents, children, grandparents. This poem was written upon the birth of our last grandson as an expression of love, and also as expression of gratitude to our Father in Heaven for blessing us with another miraculous grandchild, and also a tender petition for him, and all of us, to be watched over and cared for.



As always, we love to hear you share your comments and experiences with us. Also, the best family document we know of can be found by typing in ‘Family Proclamation’ in the search bar of the following website: www.churchofjesuschrist.org, which also contains a mountain of life changing information.

  1. Double meaning of coarse: Sun and Son of God, Jesus Christ
    ↩︎

FATHER’S DAY

Jeanne Leave a comment 
Father's Day is a time when children show how much they care.
Through phone calls or visits from far away, or dinners we do share.
Father's Day is time to reflect on memories from the past-
Of Dad & Grandpas dear to us.  Good memories always last.

Now, I'm a Grandpa & a Father.  Each child has helped us grow.
With the help of my best friend, her love helps us to know
True P.E.A.C.E. ON E.A.R.T.H.* comes when we serve God's family.
Helping all souls love Jesus Christ, is the only perfect key.

So when I say, "I love you all", I include all living things-
From mountains high to desert low, where all creation sings.
Dearest ones, please hear God's songs so we may live together
Throughout all eternity, in Christ we live forever.

We're happiest when each of you are happy in your lives.
We pray each dawn & eve for each of you to find true P.E.A.C.E.* of mind.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY



  • P.E.A.C.E. (Paradise, Earth And Community Effort) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to reducing pollution. E.A.R.T.H.S FORCE (Earth Action Return To Health Service Force) is a branch of P.E.A.C.E. that utilizes the unemployed poor as a work force to develop local projects to restore the natural environment. More information is available at www.our-peace.org.

More information about how to connect to Jesus Christ can be found on www.churchofjesuschrist.org

Share Glad Tidings

Jeanne Leave a comment 
Share glad tidings  of great joy  unto every soul.
When we find  something of great worth, share that truth  so we all can grow.
The Church of Jesus Christ  of Latter-Day Saints  teaches what is true.
Let us invite  souls everywhere.  Repentance  makes us new.

When we share  the Gospel's light  with others  that we see,
We must ask for  the Holy Ghost  to help set their  spirits free.
For only God  can enter in  and touch the  hearts of man.
With holy fire  the Holy Ghost testifies of  God's great plan.

There are countless souls  upon this earth  who know not  where to look.
Duty calls  us who know  to give each soul  God's Holy Books,
And share our testimony  with every willing soul.
With guidance from  the Holy Ghost, each child is helped  to grow.

Great shall be  each soul's reward, with every soul  we help save.
We share the truth  of Christ our LORD  & we build  beyond the grave.
Christ is the way, the truth & light.  There is no other way.
Share glad tidings  of great joy  and share it  every day.

In April 2023, President (and prophet) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Russell M Nelson, extended this invitation, “….study .. the account of the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites in the Americas, as recorded in 3 Nephi. Not long before that appearance, His voice was heard among the people, including these words of supplication: ‘Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?….behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.’

Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today. I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.

Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about HIs Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him! …I testify that following Him is the only way to enduring happiness.”

A New Year

Jeanne Leave a comment

Well, 2023 is almost gone. Somehow, when unpleasant and stressful events seem relentless, we blame the ‘Year’ for it. That’s been my year: broken bones, surgery, family divorce, heartache, car wreck, hard drive crash, data breach….one on the tail of the other. I’ve been a complainer. Many days I have not been able to see anything to be grateful for. I should be ashamed.

Last week our family spent time together to celebrate Christmas. On one occasion when we were all crowded into the living room, we passed around the question: What do you hope for in the new year? All thoughts were meaningful. I was impressed. I was going to say that I hoped the new year would be more free of those stressful, unpleasant events….

…until my grand daughter said a very impressive thing. She said that she hoped that all would work out for the good, just like it had done so far this year. Those profound thoughts sunk deep in my heart. I could see her faith and her grateful humble heart. I contemplated 2023 events, and as I did so, was impressed at the ‘PATTERN’ they demonstrated; the pattern of disturbing events followed by a period of time ending in a good resolution. Time after time. And I felt grateful. I saw the lessons I learned, or perhaps should have learned. I saw the hand of God that was always there, and I saw 2023 a bit differently, and realized that perhaps I have just a bit more faith for 2024.

May we all look for the peace and light and joy waiting for the taking in 2024.

I like the hope illustrated in a poem written by my daughter, Valoree:

Mother Earth moves us into the shadow
The icy cold could penetrate to bone
In the darkness and the heart of Winter
We shelter in the warm hearth of home
Let us celebrate the coming of a New Year
The creeping approach of the return of light
With songs, thoughtful  gifts and pleasantries
We may bring out the unwilted mistletoe
A reminder to forgive and let go of grudges
And holly, with berries of bright red
For the strength of the deep roots of family
Our Evergreens stand beautiful and tall
Bedecked in ornament, Cheery and twinkling
And in the great, wild forests of the world
The sparkling, snow-covered, majestic pine
Stay green and resilient despite storm and frost
Each day the Sun will stay a minute longer
Reflect on the year!  Visualize your wishes!
Now is the time to cherish and look forward.






                  Patience is knowing the snow will melt and glorious spring will indeed come.





Alma 7:27 (from the Book of Mormon)  “and now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess….from this time forth and forever.”




































































































































































































							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
To the man who never met a sunset he didn’t appreciate…


								

					   Jeanne				1 Comment
				
				
				

							


						


				

The following was written by our daughter:  a tribute to her Dad.  It is tender and powerful and demonstrates the profound influence to be found in family relationships.  We all carry pieces of our parents and  grandparents.  Too often, the human imperfections become the focus, and we miss seeing the ‘divine’ .  Perhaps we are too fearful of what we perceive others might expect of us, and we blindly close our minds and eyes to the flecks of gold found in each of us.  Or we simply never find the time appropriate to be still and open up our hearts, and become vulnerable enough to step into someone’s soul and have a sacred unforgettable experience.  










The video above is entitled “What Matters Most” and is downloaded from the following website: churchofjesuschrist.org







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
At Samhain


								

					   Jeanne				4 Comments
				
				
				

							


						


				

Samhain is a Celtic ancient ritual celebrated October 31-November 1 to bring in the dark part of winter, to recognize the fall harvest, and also to honor the dead, much like is done in the Aztec tradition of ‘Day of the Dead’.  This year, instead of focusing on the trick-or-treat candy gatherings, we chose to focus on remembering those dear to us who have left us through death.





My daughter wrote a poem about this occasion, and, with her permission, I have featured it in this post inasmuch as it speaks of setting “a place at our fest table for those remembered most dear, in hoping to feel the warmth of their company once more.”  We did set two places at the table for Mom and Dad, and included foods they especially liked on the menu.  It was (as is) good to include them in our daily lives both in remembrance and also in knowing we can feel them near on many traditional occasions.





Our lovely Mother travels around the Great Sun as She always has
She carries human kind, the mountains, the oceans, our homes
We turn away from the Sun, and sense the cold vastness of space
The darkness comes.  Stark final harvest and bloody first slaughter
Ponder a time before the progression to modern convenience
Consider what you can give to those with less fortune
Step into the browning, fallen crunchy leaves to share in
Ancient traditions of costume, fare and lighting lanterns
The barrier between this life and the next becomes liminal
Set a place at our feast table for those remembered most dear
In hoping to feel the warmth of their company once more







Sorry this post is a few days late!  Life seems to be running faster than I can keep up.  Slow down and make memories.







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
I’m Fine


								

					   Jeanne				Leave a comment
				
				
				

							


						


				

I'm fine; there is nothing whatever the matter with me.
I'm just as healthy as can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees, 
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin,
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
I think my liver is out of whack, 
And a terrible pain is in my back.
My hearing is poor; my sight is dim.
Most everything seems to be out of trim.
My days, my doctor says are few,
Every week he finds something new.
And the way I stagger sure is a crime.
I'm likely to drop most any time.
I jump like mad at the drop of a pin,
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
I have arch supports for both my feet, 
Or I wouldn't be able to walk the street.
Sleeplessness I have night after night,
And in the morning, I'm a perfect fright.
My memory is failing.  My sight is dim,
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

The moral is:  As this tale unfolds,
That for you and I who are growing old,
T'is better to say, "I'm fine", with a grin,
Cause it surely will help the shape you are in.

I found this poem (untitled), handwritten in an old file among scraps of geneological tidbits, from Bob's family.  It's not his handwriting, so I won't attribute it to him.  I have no idea who wrote it and probably should not be posting it.  If anyone knows the author, please let me know.  Perhaps his Grandma Davis wrote it.  She was very expressive in writing.

Nevertheless, I like it because it fits with events of the past few weeks.  Bob was finally able to get a new hip replacement a few days ago.  Everyone who works at a hospital looks just barely old enough to be in high school.  All of them.  His surgeon must have begun medical school in kindergarten!.  As they recorded the necessary information, they were amazed that we had been married almost 48 years.  And I reflected on our present physical and mental health--comparing it to our early years of marriage--and reluctantly admitted that we had changed.  A lot.

Bob's marathons have been traded in for shuffles to the car.  My foot was in such bad shape the night before his surgery, that I wondered how I'd get him up to surgery.  Bob's legs and ankle are generously marked from previous surgery scars.  We use grabbers and canes.

And I wondered what happened to all those decades?  Wasn't it just last spring when we planned our wedding?  Isn't getting old for our aunts and uncles and grandparents? --  but never for us!  










							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
The Crucible


								

					   Jeanne				Leave a comment
				
				
				

							


						


				

It’s been a traumatic 3 months, starting with my son last November, who developed a painful jaw infection accompanied by careless medical care, resulting in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for infection, onset of diabetes from pancreatitis and pending kidney failure.  Over-use of steroids complicated his recovery and ability to fight the infection.  those were some very tense and worrysome days, lasting into the new year.  It required a kind of patience I didn’t know existed.  But, we drew together as a family and prayers became a source of strength and healing.





I thought the new year was a harbinger of health, but then my 16 year old grand daughter presented with painful hands that quickly lost their use.  Swelling started and medical tests showed nothing.





Then, last Monday, our 18 year old grandson (all of these are in the same family) was rushed to the emergency room with gut pain and jaundice.  For the next week he underwent diagnostic ultrasound and endoscopy with gall bladder removal on Wednesday, followed by another procedure to remove more gall stones in the ducts, and finally being released from the hospital on Friday.





We all breathed a sigh of relief, only to be awakened late Friday night with news that paramedics were called in response to my grand daughter’s inability to breathe…very scary…thought to be a panic attack.





So much for the harbinger of health.  More like a trip to troubles!





If I were gold
would I think a crucible to be mean?
A dark tomb
with painful heat
that reaches to the soul,
and burns.
Those hours I would never choose.
No.
Look at me--
all cluttered.
I've gathered much along the way.
I carry to much baggage.
I want to let it go.
I pray with fervor to find a way.
The crucible!
How ironic.
The very thing that I abhor
Is now my darkened prison.
The unwanted firey trial
Seems longer than it is.
Daylight finally shoots it's glorious beam
Upon my soul.
My soul--it's free.
The baggage gone
Consumed within the fire.
In weightless glory I rise
And leave this crucible behind
For now.
Purified, changed, whole, free.
I'm finally Me.








This 2 minute video is about the value of adversity