Category: Family

Relationships, children, and the dynamics between family members.

Wise Men and Camels

Jeanne Leave a comment

Last week some of our family attended a live nativity. I have never done that before and was excited to see if they would really do sheep and camels, and was not disappointed. The sheep were very wooly and had to be coaxed for their appearance. I was standing so close to the pathway where they entered that I could have reached out and and greeted them with a tender touch, but, I restrained myself. As the story unfolded, the anticipated camels began their trek, each one led by a wise man. Again, I was still very close to the path, and hemmed in by the crowd and a makeshift building at my back. When I saw them coming, I squeezed against the building to make room for their surprisingly massive bodies. The first one filed past me, and I marveled at it’s immensity, especially when it seemed to balk at the crowd and whatever instructions it was receiving. Suddenly, it pulled against it’s halter and came swinging backwards toward ME! There was nowhere to go, except to brace for the impact of a huge camel’s butt bolting directly my way. In a flash it swooped past me, arighted itself and continued on it journey to the manger. Breathlessly, I said a silent prayed of thanks that I would be able to emerge from the nativity in one whole, unbroken piece! What an adventure. The animals added a delightful dimension that I shall never forget.

Animals are delightful. I would like to include some photos taken just 3 months ago in Teton National Park…Just remember, don’t get too close!




The following link is a video of the nativity:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/glad-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Christmas 2005

Jeanne 1 Comment

Today, we are using a guest poet, Sherrel E. Burgoyne. Sherrel is my aunt who passed away last June, and, as a tribute to her, I’d like to post this poem:

Maybe because they were out in the night
When the heavens were opened and flooded with light,
And they saw the angels and heard them sing
Glory to God and the newborn King
Maybe because that night they were out
They heard the message and did not doubt.

Maybe because they slept in the town
With their doors closed tight and their windows down
And they did not hear the songs from above
They did not hear the message of love
Maybe because that night they all slept
They heard not the message the angels kept.

What of us,
Where are we when the angels all shout,
Do we hide behind walls to feed on our doubt,
Or open our lives and let faith lead us out?

http://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_24-11-2017_dMIS_fMORG_xLIDyL1-A_

Into The Woods

Jeanne 1 Comment

Being close to Thanksgiving, I should entitle this, “Over the River and Through the Woods, To Grandmother’s House We Go.”, but that isn’t where they are going, nor is it the title of the painting, although, it is Thanksgiving time, and I am very grateful for all of my grand children seen in this painting.

Let us call it, “Into the Woods”. And it is a scene of my 6 grand children walking up a path. Some of the prominent intentions are:

1) They are walking into what appears to be a nice place.

2) There are 2 bears to be seen along the way. Are they friendly? The far one seems to be, but one wonders about the sneaky one on the right. Life is tricky and is not always easy to distinguish right from wrong or good from bad. The bears illustrate this.

3) Ammon sees the sneaky bear. He is holding Allie’s hand, giving him the role of protector. Ammon and Parleigh seem to be leading the group down the path. They are taking responsibility for the younger ones who follow, just as I hope they, and all of them, will do always and forever. Care for each other. Watch out for each other. Love each other. Help each other.

4) There is a bird flying high. This represents the Holy Ghost that will help to decipher the good from the bad and lead this little party safely to where they are going.

5) Now, the sad part of the painting. Notice that the children are all walking away from me. I am not with them, nor can I always be. But, nevertheless, I care and worry about them always and forever. And so this painting is dedicated to the last verse of my poem, “Give Them Wings”.

You stand at the threshold
Where I once stood,
With your back to our home
And the world in your face.
And I am glad
I am your mother (Or Grandmother).

I will miss you and wish
You were back home again,
But still I will help you
Fashion the best wings I can make
As you fly away from me.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-11-23-thanksgiving-daily?lang=eng

Handprints on the Glass

Jeanne 1 Comment

Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve been viewing old family video tapes in an attempt to organize them and reproduce them on DVDs and other digital media.  One tape in particular contained images of each of my children as babies.   It had all of their first steps, birthday cakes, Christmas dresses, Halloween costumes, and so much more.  Some went back so far that I honestly can’t remember that moment.  Time passes so quickly.  What a blessing to be able to take a trip into the past.  I’ve posted this poem before, but, here it is again:

 

Why is it that those golden days of babyhood

So quickly waste away with daily household cares?

And one day soon we wake to find our little ones

Have stopped their testing antics and left us unaware

That we could ever wish for handprints on the glass,

Evidence of that playful mischief, now in our past.

 

I like this short clip from LDS.org:

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-06-012-moments-that-matter-most?lang=eng

 

 

Remember, Remember

Jeanne 1 Comment

I just finished a book, “The Time Keeper” by Mitch Albom. Since I have always been intriqued by ‘memories’, this book was also intriguing. It dealt with ‘time’. One quote from the book:

“You marked the minutes,” the old man said, “But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?”

Think of each moment as a grain of sand in the giant hourglass of our lives, and we hold that one grain right now. All the sand above and all the sand beneath–the past and future cannot be dealt with right now. Only one grain at a time.

Make memories, for that is what life is made of. Spend time with those you love while you have the time.

I remember precious moments in the past that give the present hope and light.. I love to collect memories and wish I could add to my collection every day. Days when I fail to do this are barren, and if there are too many ‘barrens’ in a row, life begins to feel meaningless.

We have nothing to remember if we do not savor life now. Memories are the acts of the present that bear fruit in the future.

Remember! Remember! from whence we’ve come, on trails of glory, from Thy Holy Son.
To prove on earth, our own true worth, This is our purpose, while here on earth.
Remember! Remember! to turn to Christ, so we may obtain eternal life.
Remember! Remember! The Holy Ghost, that He may guide us through Satan’s host.

Remember! Remember! Without our Lord, we could not follow His sacred word.
Nor understand His one true way, to lead us home to God one day.
Remember! Remember! His one true church that teaches us to pray, seek and search.

Remember to seek Christ when we are weak, with humble heart, sincere and meek.
The Holy Spirit will lift our soul, and help us know which way to go.
Remember! Remember! without God’s Son, we cannot return to the Holy One.

Remember! Remember! We have chosen Christ to guide us through earth’s trials to eternal life.
We need Thee, Lord, every hour and day; Thou art the light, the truth, the way.
Remember! Remember! To fast, search, serve, seek and pray,
And we will be lifted home to live and serve in our Father’s perfect eternal love one fine day.

Remember, Remember, Remember…….

http://www.lds.org/blog/think-to-thank?cid=HP_WE_1-11-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng

The Best Talker is a Good Listener

Jeanne 1 Comment

The best talker is a good listener. Why is this so?
Everyone wants to be listened to, they love to be heard, you know.
So, if we want to be listened to, by loved ones and those we meet,
Listen with full intent, to each soul that we greet.

The next part of talking is to choose our own words well.
Bring out your own thoughts carefully and be patient with those who fail.
Pray and ask for guidance to know what we should say.
The Holy Ghost can guide us who listen and obey.

Encourage those who share with us by questions to learn more:
Like, “Tell me more.” “What happened next? or “What made you feel so sore?”
When talking with family or friends, or a stranger along the way,
A listening mind and hearing heart serves us well each day.

A simple recipe on how much to talk is 1/2 when two are there,
1/3 if 3, 1/4 if 4, and less is best to others caught in sorrow, hate or fear.
The best talker is a patient and kind listener, remember this and grow,
For we can be a truer friend when we listen with heart, mind and soul.

James 3:3-5, 13. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a fire…Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

For a 3 minute video illustrating this concept in the context of a family, go to
LDS.org
and then type in “Parenting:touching the hearts of youth” in the search bar.


Adversity

Jeanne 1 Comment

Adversity can build the muscles of each troubled soul.
Without opposition, how can we choose to grow?
We learn through pain and sorrow to have more empathy.
Persecution can turn us to prayer and deeper charity.

A redwood tree grows strong and tall, but it’s roots don’t grow so deep.
Against the wind-tossed storms of life, one lone tree finds little peace.
But as they grow together, as their roots intertwine,
No gale that blows can topple those giant redwood pine.

We choose not to stand alone through our adversity.
We turn unto our loving God and friends and family.
We pray for help and plead for strength that we may overcome,
That through our trial, we may learn true wisdom from God’s Son.

Hate, anger and bitterness cause cankers on ones’ soul.
Repentance, forgiveness and patience help our inner peace to grow.
Adversity can be good or bad, it’s up to us to choose
To grow in understanding, or let Satan light our fuse.

We choose to use adversity to humble us to God,
To strive for help through prayer and hold fast the iron rod.
We gain strength from friends and family as we let our roots entwine.
Together with Christ’s true church, adversity becomes a tool to strengthen each heart and mind.

Real faith is something that I believe takes most of us a lifetime to acquire, if we ever do at all. I find myself in the same spot of struggling with reconciling God’s will for me, and my own plans and desires. I can have faith if I feel that God will grant me my desire, but my heart tells me that isn’t real faith, that’s just expecting God to fill our orders, and that is assuming that we always know best…The video clip in the link below addresses that very problem very well, and challenges me to ask myself, “Does it really matter?”

There is a scripture in Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon that is quoted in the video clip. What are some of your thoughts about faith, humility and adversity?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/topics/adversity?lang=eng&_r=1


The Divers

Jeanne 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago I attended the funeral for my Aunt, who was the last of all my Aunts and Uncles, and it seemed like a chapter was closing. My own mortality seemed a little too close for comfort. For those of us who have finished our era of child raising, time seems to have passed alarmingly quickly. Although this can certainly be quite depressing, it also helps us to understand the importance of enjoying the present journey…not fretting about what we did or didn’t do in the past, and not being consumed with worry over what might lie ahead. My Aunt was exemplary in demonstrating the development of talents and sharing them with others. Bit by bit, she influenced many in a positive way. Her poetry has been a catalyst to me with my own writing, and especially this poem:

The would-be divers slowly climb the steps to the top
The platform
High and intimidating, bids them “Stop!”
And yet, their feet drive to the brink
And off they go,
No time to think!

We watch below and shake our heads.
This, we will never do, we said.
Unaware that we are in the line
Pressing forward all the time.

The oldest ones have gone before
One by one,
Now in our past.
Occasionally a youthful soul
Pushed through the line.
We watched, aghast.

Our steps for now are slow and gay.
We take our time.
We sing and play,
Unaware that our steady steps
Lead us higher every day,
Until, at last, we reach the top.

How the decades fled!
We are now atop.
Some feel peace, and some feel dread.
All surprised
How short the time
From bottom to the top,
A few short years, just a lifetime,
So much shorter than we thought.

Our time will come when toes grip the rim.
Our teeth and hands are clenched,
And we are shoved or nudged,
First flying, and then drenched.

Be assured, our time is coming.
Ignore the pace…the distant drumming,
Be with those who now surround us,
Else we miss the purpose of the climb.

Only as we enjoy the journey,
Will the diving be sublime!

This link is http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/feature-films/2016-10-0002-mans-search-for-happiness-1986?lang=eng a remake of my favorite short video when I was a child. I deals very effectively with the issue of “time”.

4th of July!

Jeanne 2 Comments

I woke up this morning feeling tiny pieces of excitement that I used to feel on this day. The anticipation of a loud and happy celebration. My mind went to the dozens of 4ths that I have celebrated. The cannon blast waking up the Monroe residents who dared to sleep past 7am. The crowds at the city parks. The picnics. The special treats of red, white and blue. The parades, and the music….bands and marching. The sprinklers in our front yard, a delight to the grandkids in their swim suits. Don’t forget the slip-n-slide, and the fireworks–2 varieties 1) the small on-the-sidewalk ones that delight and terrify young ones and dogs, often lit off way before dark because they will be long in bed before 2) the big ones at 10PM. Sometimes we watched the big ones from our roof, and now we drive to them, and I still feel the excitement I felt watching them launched from the city hill, very visible from our childhood back yard. This year my heart is heavy. I have no grandkids to celebrate with me this year. No squeals of delight. No sparklers. No picnic. No swim suits. And that is precisely why I am not in the mood to post a patriotic poem today! Perhaps I’ll have more time to contemplate the great gift of freedom, and the price that has been paid, and rejoice that I am so blessed to live where I do, and to have the family that I have. Today I will thank God abundantly for these amazing blessings! What will you do today?