Return and Report

One of the things I experienced....

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:43:00 +0000

I listened to "Wuthering Heights" this year. I had never read the book and had no idea what it was. I enjoyed it immensely! I have read or heard no more beautiful love story than this. And now some of my favorite quotes are from Emily Bronte's writings in this book. I believe these quotes describe the love we should hope to have with the one we wish to be with forever.

"...he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it."
- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."

My wish for all of you is that this is the kind of love you will experience sometime in your lives.

Merry Christmas from Virginia and Simple New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:54:00 +0000

It is six o'clock in the evening in Mechanicsville, Virginia. I am sitting here enjoying the glow of the lights of the Christmas tree and watching "Enchanted" with Cindy, Eric and Tom. Noah hasn't been interested in any of the movies we've watched today. He seems to be interested mainly in growing and all the things required to grow: eating, excreting, sleeping, stretching.

Yes, we spent Christmas in Virginia this year. Last year we spent the holiday in O'Fallon, Missouri, with Amy and her family. The day after Christmas we took Amy and her boys and went on a road trip to Louisiana so she could meet Cindy's husband, Eric. Amy hadn't been able to attend the wedding because she was expecting Benjamin within three weeks of the big event. Amy wrote about that trip in her blog, so you can look for it in her archives if you're interested.

I arrived Thursday night one week ago, and Friday morning we went shopping at Wal-Mart for some groceries. It was busier than I remember any Wal-Mart ever, even though it is hard to believe that a Wal-Mart is ever anything but crazy busy. Eric was told that the store was busy that morning because snow was in the forecast so people were stocking up, because people here don't drive in the snow. By suppertime that forecast appeared to be correct, and by the time we went to bed there were over six inches. Saturday saw more snow and when it was all over we had about a foot of the beautiful but treacherous white stuff! I took pictures of the neighbors' homes to show Noah what his first home was like. He'll have this to talk about some day. I heard that on the news they were calling this the storm of the century!

Monday we were able to see what the storm had done throughout the area. We decided to take a road trip this year, too, and this time we went to New York to see Alan, Jessica, and their family. I got to meet Jack and now I can say with a great deal of satisfaction that this year I have seen all of my fifteen grandchildren and all my spouses and their children. And all of them are wonderful, darling, terrific people.

As the year approaches its end I am spending some time considering what this year has meant and I am gearing up to take on a new one. I am not afraid of change, but I must admit that I wouldn't mind if we have a year in which we can just deal with all the new things in our lives that came as a result of the 2009 changes. And they were BIG! Lost job, found job, sold home, bought home, good-bye Utah, hello Nevada, gave up thirty-plus piano students, took on thirty-plus piano students, began accompanying four choirs at the Spring Creek schools, went to New York for Emily's baptism, got three new grandsons, saw my dad's health on a downward spiral and then on a upward climb...there may be more but this is enough to mention now. I just want a simple year. But can it be simple with six three-year-old grandkids, not to mention the other nine of all ages from eight-and-a-half down to newborns?

I'm not complaining about the grandchildren. No, not at all, for they are what and who I live for every day. I love them with all my heart, and they are what keeps my heart beating. I think I am more alive now, as though they have injected a dose of life with each hug and "Grandma! You're here!"

Well, enough rambling. This may not be read by anyone but I will be able to add this to my journal. And maybe when all the pages are put together someone might be able to make sense of my life and learn of all the things that make me who I am.

p.s.

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:53:00 +0000

Oh, yes, and thanks to Amy for another lovely background for my blog! I'm glad she is my co-administrator! She always makes me look good, witty, smart, talented, etc.

The Tenth Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:21:00 +0000

I know this is overdue, but I finally have time to sit and complete my ten days of Thanksgiving. Yet I can't list only one of my blessings tonight, because there are still so many that must be named! In the interest of time, however, I will limit it to some very special people who have occupied space in my heart for a long time--or a short time, depending on how long they've been on the earth.

My children, namely Michael, Alan, Amy, Lisa, Katy, and Cindy are the most fabulous people on the face of the earth! How could I live without any one of them? Simply, I could not. They each play a vital role to my well-being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I would not be if they did not exist. And they have added to my joyful existence by adding to our family their remarkable spouses: Laura, Jessica, David, Brandon, Richard, and Eric. They each add dimension to my life that makes it all that more enjoyable to be alive. Some time I will try to explain how all my children and their husbands/wives have blessed my life.

Then there are those grandchildren: Emily, Corbin, Michael, Isabella, Morgan, Kalsin, Kodiak, Julia, Miralise, Eli, Anna, Benjamin, Jack, Logan, and Noah. Ahh, there's nothing like being a grandmother! A hug from any one of my special grandchildren and any fear or worry is forgotten. I live for the next time I will see these awesome reproductions of their parents.

My parents, my brothers and sisters and their spouses and children are all so terrific! I have been so fortunate to belong to such a loving and supportive family. I love the hugs I get from my nieces and nephews. I enjoy their emails and phone calls. They are all special to me.

Later I will do a blog on my friends. There are too many and so many stories to list any of them here right now. But I am so thankful for them!

Now on to perhaps the most important blessing in my life. I will preface this by saying that I think perhaps I have given the wrong impression to those who are close to me. Going by things I hear them say from time-to-time I think they believe that I have always been such a "good girl" all my life, that I haven't strayed or broken any rules and that I always expect everyone else to be the same. Oh, my heart aches just thinking about what I might have made my children think I expected of them and what they may think of how I see myself. And how do I make them understand what I am trying to say without confessing my weaknesses and past mistakes to them?

I give myself the same advice that I have given to others. When you have repented you don't need to tell others about the wrongs you have committed. You don't need to be saved by anyone else when Jesus Christ has already saved you. And He has saved me as I have had to draw upon the power of the Atonement again and again in my life. And I have learned! I try to obey the rules now because I know what it feels like to break them and to hurt other people in the process. I try hard to do what is right because I know the agony of the broken heart that comes from knowing I have disappointed my Father in Heaven and added to the pain that my Savior experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane. I study the scriptures and pay attention in meetings and read what I can to help me learn more about the God who loves me and has given me the very breath that keeps me alive minute by minute when there are times when I felt I would rather die than face the fact that I have fallen so short of the expectations placed upon me. I give service as faithfully and as diligently as I can and in as many ways as I can because service is part of the repentance process. I love more fully and deeply because I have felt His love; it has saved me over and over again.

What people see in me today is not a person who always does the right thing; they see a person who wants to be right in the sight of God, and I pray for strength every day to be able to do better. I have so many changes yet to make.

I am thankful for my Savior and for my God. I am thankful I can pray to Heavenly Father and feel His arms around mw when I need Him; I am thankful for what Jesus Christ did for me. I am thankful that change is part of the plan. This is all very personal for me but I feel it is time to make sure that my children know that I hope they will learn these same things, and if possible not in the same ways I did. I will try to remember that as they use their agency they will have experiences that will teach them and they don't need me to protect them from the pain of mistakes. I just want to be their mother/ grandmother in the best ways I know how to be and hope they will accept my offerings to them. I love them with all my heart. And if we all try we may look forward to an eternal association with each other. Without the hope of this why even try?

The Ninth Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:50:00 +0000

Tonight before we head out to the fifth-wheeler to get some shut-eye I just want to say that although I was happy to follow Tom to Nevada, I am grateful that we only live three hours away from family. When we arrived at Lisa's house in Grantsville and walked toward the door we were greeted with shouts of "Grandma, Grandpa!" and lots of hugs. It did my heart good. We had a wonderful afternoon and evening with the Nelsons and look forward to two more days of fun and making memories with the Nelsons, Rushes, Washburns, Oswalds, and Lemons. I really am grateful that Tom didn't get a job in Alaska or Australia!

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Eighth Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:02:00 +0000

Now it's another day. Since I'm going to Utah in a few hours and will be playing with my grandchildren tonight, I'm going to do this blog post now.

And this time I'm thankful for another day! We never know if we'll be granted another one or not, and I'm thankful that I've been lucky enough to wake up about 19,950 times and see that Heavenly Father has given me yet another chance to get it right.

Seventh Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:55:00 +0000

I am thankful for shoes. I do go barefoot a lot, especially in the summer months, but I am so grateful for comfortable, protective shoes. Some of my shoes have endured my abuse for years and I can't get rid of them because they are like old friends. Now that I have learned how very worn shoes can affect the tendons and arches of my feet, I realize that I cannot wear those old friends. But they will probably sit in my closet forever because looking at them is a reminder of many places I've been, things I've done, people I've walked beside, danced with, climbed with. Ah, sweet memories. Thanks, shoe friends.

Sixth Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:51:00 +0000

Doctors! I am so thankful for doctors! My life has a quality that it couldn't possibly have if I hadn't been blessed to have been treated by a knowledgeable member of the medical community. Thank goodness some men and women will take endure the time, energy and expense--and a number of other personal sacrifices--to learn how to help the rest of us enjoy life more fully.

And I won't even list the number of times I've had to take advantage of their skills and knowledge. I LOVE doctors! (And their nurses!)

Some people I'm pretty thankful for on Day... whatever... of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +0000

1. People who aren't very good at stuff, because I look better.
2. Ugly people, because I look prettier.
3. Fat people, because I look skinnier.
4. Dumb people, because I look smarter.
5. Really, really, really old people, because I look younger.

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Tonight I am going to mention a few things I'm thankful I DON'T have: missing limbs, blindness, cancer, missing children, abusive husband, extreme poverty, scary neighbors, no food in my refrigerator, no education, no car, no children, no friends, no idea why I'm here, where I came from or where I'm going. Yes, the list could go on and on and on. I'm one extremely grateful person!!!

And now I'm going to bed. It's been a very nice day but now I'm tired--going to get some rest at the end of this day of rest!

Fourth and Fifth Days of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:26:00 +0000

Oops! I thought about posting last night and got distracted and suddenly I was in dreamland. So tonight I'll take care of two days at once.

I am thankful for food. I LOVE food! I love planning menus, I love cooking, I love eating. For most of my life I could eat anything I wanted, whenever I wanted, and never had to worry about weight gain or any other problems. Then I reached middle age. All those years of being able to enjoy food without guilt caught up with me. But I've learned good eating habits and am more conscious of what and when and how much I eat and I can still enjoy food. Sometimes I feel guilty but most of the time I'm just glad that I live where I have plenty and never have to go hungry. I know I need to give thanks for what I have because there are so many who go to bed hungry every night and wonder if they'll get anything to eat the next day.

I am thankful for airplanes and cars and trains and all the other modes of transportation that are means for being with those we love. Because of the airplanes and cars we have been able to see all of our children and grandchildren this year, and in less than a month we'll be in Virginia awaiting the arrival of grandbaby number fifteen, Noah Badger.

And one more: I'm thankful for a good, thoughtful husband who will get supper on the table while I write in my blog. He's a nice guy.

Third Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:33:00 +0000

Paper. I am surrounded by it here in this room. The minutes from the meeting I attended tonight, the records from which I am typing the Copper Hills Ninth Ward history, family history projects, phone directories, envelopes in which I can mail letters to my friends, a fax from our wonderful insurance agent who is trying to help us set Carson City straight, the notice from the sanitation company letting us know when they'll pick up the garbage next week, music I've printed for my students, receipts and bills that are all evidence that we live and we are noticed, books, books, books, boxes, the door, the beautiful trim on the door and walls, the hardwood floor just outside the door...oops, now I'm getting into the cousins of paper. It's the paper family for which I am so grateful. The posterity of trees. Isn't it wonderful how our needs have been provided for, and we can keep it all lasting longer if we are mindful and use it all wisely.

I haven't even begun to name many ways paper (tree posterity) is displayed throughout my home: music, photographs of family, my piano, the legs of the sofa, the table and chairs, the desks, etc., etc., etc.

Now I am going to get one of my favorite papers: my scriptures. I love to read them and it is part of my routine before I snuggle under the covers. And that leads to another one of my favorite blessings, but you'll have to wait until another day to read about it. Good-night!

The Second Day of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:08:00 +0000

Music, music, music! Oh, how my life has been blessed by music! I am so thankful that my mother taught me to play the piano when I was a child. The experiences I have had in my life because I played the piano have been extensive and awesome. I know people I wouldn't have known otherwise. I have had to overcome a great lack of confidence, I have learned theory, I have developed skills that have given me opportunities to give service most of my fifty-plus years.

And my parents also taught all of our family to sing, to play the ukelele, guitar, accordion or rhythm instruments, and I have very fond memories of performing with my family from very young years--for church, schools, soldiers, the wounded, etc.

I could go on and on and on about how music has blessed my life, but I'm admittedly quite tired tonight and I'm going to get ready for bed now. You can bet that as soon as I wake in the morning there will be a song on my mind, most likely one of the pieces one of the Spring Creek High School or Middle School choirs are rehearsing daily to be able to perform at their Christmas concert. What a way to start the day!

The Ten Days of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:19:00 +0000

We have twelve days of Christmas, right? Why not ten days or so of Thanksgiving? I'm going to spend the next ten days posting things for which I am thankful. Of course, ten days or one-hundred days wouldn't be enough to do all my blessings justice, but just spending the time writing for awhile might make me ever more mindful of all that makes my life worth living.

Day Number One:

Today I am thankful for modern technology, and most specifically the things that help keep us connected with those we love. Isn't it remarkable that we can dial some numbers and in seconds we can be speaking with a family member who lives thousands of miles away? Or send a text and you can get an instant reply from halfway around the world. Friends can give road updates, husbands can get instructions from wives so they'll get the shopping done right, wives can find out from husbands what to do when the car is making that funny noise again. Daughters can call mom and ask for a prayer before a dreaded test, sons can call parents to tell the latest cute things their little boys did. All of this can take place in a moment of time. Granddaughters can call and put on a piano recital for Grandma. To me it is truly incredible.

One of my most recent experiences with modern technology occurred Saturday. Katy wanted to give Cindy a baby shower. Cindy lives in Virginia and Katy lives in Utah. Katy's brilliant idea was to do a "virtual" shower so that the friends and family could gather at her place and by web cam they could invite Cindy to join the party. Tom and I headed for Utah so I could be part of the shower, too, but the highway was icy and scary so we turned around and headed home, first stopping at Les Schwab to get studded tires for my car. We got home and connected to the internet on the computer so that we could join the party from Nevada. Alan connected so he could have a video chat with us, and while he was on he told us how we could have a conference video chat so that we wouldn't have to "take turns" talking to Cindy and the others. So once we were all connected through "tokbox.com" we could see everyone in New York, Virginia, and Utah,all at the same time, and what a thrill that was for me. I got to see twelve of my grandchildren and all but one of my children. Actually, I know Michael was there at Katy's but I didn't see him, so I saw four out of the six. I did hear his voice, though.

While I am on the phone talking to my kids or having a video chat with any of them I forget that we are hundreds or thousands of miles apart, and feel that we are in the same room and I can almost feel them breathing and that I can reach out and hug each of them.

We went to visit our friends Chris and Andrea Sunday night and they were having a video chat with Andrea's parents and brothers in Alaska. I bet Andrea would say she's very grateful for this technology, too, and I am certain her mom is thankful she can see her only grandson and not feel quite so far away.

Whoever invented all of this technology is going to get a pie from me one day! I love him!

I'd add photos but there's something wrong with the technology tonight and I can't make comments on anyone else's blogs nor can I upload photos to mine. So whoever said it was perfect? These are the moments when we can be thankful for all the times that it does work!

Plantar Fasciitis

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:03:00 +0000

There are some things that we can't do anything about, and we have to learn how to deal with them as they come--losing our hearing, our perfect eyesight, etc. However, I have learned too late about some things, and one of them is "plantar fasciitis." I had not even heard of this until recently, once I had developed the symptoms. Now I have found that I have lots of friends with the condition. And I've also learned that had I properly cared for my feet I wouldn't have the crippling annoyance. Fortunately, I am learning things that I can do to relieve the symptoms. But for those of you who are much younger, I am advising you that you read about it now and take preventive measures so that you won't have to deal with this in your midlife years.

Now I'm going to put this aging body to bed. It's no longer "beauty sleep" but "restore energy" sleep. I thought I was going to have a lot more fun when I got old!

Poets

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:52:00 +0000

I am so thankful for those clever, talented souls who write beautiful poetry--thus giving us a way to express ourselves when without the help of the poet we'd be clumsy and fall short of saying just how we feel. Don't you love Hallmark cards? What would we do without them?

One of my favorite classes in high school was my English class, particularly when we studied poetry. I still have some of the poetry we analyzed back then. It was in high school when I learned a little about E. E. Cummings. One of my favorites of his is "Maggie and Millie and Molly and May..."

maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach(to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea

I love Cummings' unconventional style, and I love what I
learn about myself from this poem.
When Amy was small we went to the beach in
California and she delighted in collecting items that probably
said something about who she was.  I wonder what she would
now pick up from the leftovers buried in the sand as
the waves washed out to shore.  What would I be drawn to?
How about you?
Are you a Maggie, a Millie, a Mollie or a May?

Last year in our RS book club meeting one month we
shared poems. One of my friends shared another of
Cummings' poems which I immediately embraced
as one of my favorites.  I heard it again on a
movie last week and again it brought tears
to my eyes.  It's called "I carry your heart with me."

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

I would like to meet E. E. Cummings someday
and ask him who was his inspiration for his
beautiful work.

I like to write poetry, too, and
I've written poems for my kids
and grandchildren, but they only
hold meaning for us;
no one else would be inspired by my
work.  For example, here's a little rhyme
I wrote for my son, Michael, which described
well his contributions to our family:

"We call him the 'Fix-it Man,'
If anyone can, he can.
He'll take it apart
And get it to start,
He's Michael the fix-it man!"

(This can be sung to the tune of "Popeye the Sailor Man.")

Maybe sometime I'll post the rhymes of the songs I wrote
for my grandchildren, but I have to write a few more
before I share what I've already done.  I don't want
anyone to feel I've neglected them.

And now to you I say "adieu."

Blah Blah Blog...

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:00:00 +0000

This is just to say I'm still here, but feeling very weary at the moment and needing a nap. When I wake I'll be able to ponder on the significance of the day's events and I know I'll feel satisfied--very satisfied--at how this week is shaping up so far. But, man, I'm tired!

Confessions of a Non-Saint

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:53:00 +0000

We returned Tuesday from a trip to New York to visit Alan and his family. We took my father, Tom's mother and his autistic sister. Now, most of you know that I am generally optimistic, patient, tolerant, and happy, not wanting to think ill of anyone or treat them unkindly in any way. I won't go into any details, but I was tested greatly in all these areas during our seven days of travel (that includes the day before and the day after our flights). By the time we were getting on the last leg of our flight TO New York, I was having to bite my tongue so much that it's suprising I still had a tongue to bite! As we were approaching Albany the flight attendant approached me and bent over and whispered to me, "I want you to know you're incredible!" I was surprised! This flight attendant could not have known all the thoughts I had had, including during the first ten minutes on the plane as it was being loaded, when I determined I was going to write to the airline and register a complaint against this attendant. I had softened toward her as I observed her over the course of the two hours of delay we experienced while waiting in the plane for take-off, and how she handled herself and the passengers during the flight. My dad and I had joked with her when things were really tense during the long wait, and that helped, I think, but I really don't know why she thought I was incredible. She did have a good view of me and knew how I was responding to the needs of my in-laws and my dad, but I can't think of anything I did that would have made her think good of me. And I felt so guilty because I had had unkind feelings toward her at the beginning of the trip. Not saintly behavior!

I had to pray continually through our time in New York that I could have patience and be able to refrain from saying anything unkind to or about anyone in particular. My treatment of others was pretty good, I think, in spite of myself, but I had trouble with the "saying anything unkind about" anyone. I vented too often and I kicked myself every time. My attitude toward others could very well have affected other people's attitudes, too, and I am ashamed of that. When Pat, my friend and my daughter-in-law's mother, told me the day we were leaving that I was a "saint," I felt guilty again! Jessica tried to give me the confidence that it's alright to THINK thoughts you don't want to express out loud, and I appreciated her efforts to make me feel better about myself. But I think that a "saint" wouldn't have let anyone know she/he was even bothered by a situation in the first place.

There was a time in my life, a few generations ago, when it could have been said of me that I never said an unkind thing about anyone. In fact, I heard someone say once that if "Edna heard someone say something unkind about someone then she would hurry to say something good about that same person." But it's not so any longer. At my funeral they won't be able to say "She never sad a bad thing about anyone." Sigh. Even when I determine to start fresh and become that person who never complains, I fail after awhile.

So, there it is, out in the open: I am not a saint! All I am is someone with tooth marks on my tongue for trying unsuccessfully to be one. But I will give myself credit for not giving any details about any one in particular whose behavior made me bite my tongue in the first place!

Thirty-Four!

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Inspired by Amy, I hav decided to post in honor of the thirty-four years Tom and I have been married. Our anniversary was Friday and we were in New York so we didn't celebrate. But all of our kids called us to wish us a happy day. We appreciate their thoughtfulness. Amy was first, of course. She beat everyone to it by calling us a day early.

So what is there to celebrate anyway? Almost thirty-five years ago in October we got in Tom's car up at Weber State College and drove downtown and suddenly found ourselves in Schubach's Jewelry Store. We bought rings and then walked back to his car. He had locked his keys inside since he was so nervous. I got to see how resourceful he was while observing him rigging something to open the door. Once we were on our way I helped him realize that he hadn't actually asked me to marry him, so while driving down the road he asked me if I would and I said "yes."

We were engaged ten months, and on August 21, 1975, we knelt across an altar in the Salt Lake Temple, two kids not having any idea what they were getting themselves into, and made all sorts of promises we thought it would be easy to keep, looked in the mirrors to see how we went on and on eternally, exchanged kisses and rings, and then we were a family: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dean Washburn. We honeymooned in Southern Utah and then returned to Ogden to begin fall semester classes.

We lived in a basement apartment near WSC's campus and walked to school together every day. I soon discovered I was pregnant and Tom soon learned that my cravings were unusual--pancakes for supper, jam on my omelets, etc. But I didn't think that was as weird as pickles and ice cream!

Michael was born May 16, 1976--our Bicentennial Baby! I was so happy to be a mother; having a baby to hold, to smell, to cuddle and love and care for night and day filled the voids in my life. And each baby after that added to the joy, for there was nothing that made me feel more complete than having these little children running around filling the rooms with happy sounds. Alan was born September 23, 1977, Amy September 1, 1979, Lisa November 21, 1981, Katy May 16, 1984 (yes, the same day as Michael), and Cindy May 19, 1987. Above all the other wonderful blessings over the years, these six people in my life give us the greatest reasons to celebrate these thirty-four years together.

We've lived in Roosevelt, Utah, South Haven and Portage, Indiana, West Jordan and Grantsville, Utah, and now Spring Creek, Nevada. I don't know if this will be the last stop for us or not. But everywhere we've lived we've tried to "bloom where planted." Tom has demonstrated his skills at gardening and home maintenance in all of our homes and has set an example of finding pleasure in hard work. Our children have all followed his example. He also has a terrific singing voice and I am pleased that all of our children have taken after their father in that regard. And they are all intelligent and good-looking as he is. They are very fortunate to have such a father.

Now we are expecting grandchildren numbers 13, 14, and 15. What grandchildren have added to my life I don't think I can describe adequately. I am so thankful to my children for having the courage and desire to bring children into the world, and I have loved watching them as parents--and I can say they have done an outstanding job of loving and teaching and training their little ones! Our oldest granddaughter was baptized last week, and I was so pleased to see my son Alan worthy to take her into the baptismal font and perform the baptism. And I got teary-eyed when Alan began to cry while confirming Emily and blessing her with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Every year from now on there will be at least one of our grandchildren baptized. At the age I am now and having experienced all that I have, I know without a doubt that the most important thing we can learn in this life is that we are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us. I am grateful my children are teaching their children the lessons they learned in their youth.

So after thirty-four years it is easy to take a look and see what there is to celebrate. It hasn't been easy, in fact we've had some extremely trying times over the years. But we are still working together, drawing our family around as often as possible, getting to the temple when we can, and looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

Happy Anniversary to us!

What Goes Around Comes Around....

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Today I loaned my car to a friend with three young children so she can get out and do a few things. Now, if I hadn't thought of it myself and made the offer first, and she had to ask me if she could borrow my car, how could I possibly have said "no" when my own daughter is halfway across the country from me, has no family around to help, and finds herself in the same situation--no car, young kids, can't go anywhere? And she has a good friend who did for her what I would have done if I had been there and could have helped. I realized all this after I got home from taking my car to Chelsea. Thank goodness for friends (my children's friends and my friends)! And Sandi's at the top of my list for many reasons; today it's for taking me to town because I didn't have a car to get me there. I've learned we never have to do it alone. There's always someone eager to help because they've been helped before, too.

Peace and Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Edna) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Thinking this would be a quiet evening, I thought it a good time to shed my clothes and just wear a bathrobe while I washed all the laundry. I'm kind of funny about getting the laundry done and having dirty clothes in the hamper. So the load of whites was swishing around in the washer and I was standing at the sink washing dishes and Tom was outside working in the garden when the doorbell rang. I was expecting a call from Sandi, my friend, but not anyone at the door. I went in the spare bathroom and peaked out the window to see who it was. Relief! It was Sandi, so I felt it safe to answer the door. I invited her in to visit so she could tell me all about the meeting she had just attended. When she was on her way out the door another vehicle pulled into the driveway. It was the scouts, and I suddenly remembered they were doing the Friends of Scouting Drive tonight. I hollered at Sandi to yell at Tom for me and tell him to come in the house! Then I ran to my room, got the checkbook and wrote an amount for them. Not hearing Tom, and only hearing the doorbell, I hurried to get dressed, and then luckily Tom came in and took the check to the door. I went back to the dishes again and heard Tom's phone ringing, so I rushed to answer it since he was outside again. Finally I finished the dishes, put the wet laundry in the dryer, and in a few minutes I can go to bed. All my kids should be in bed or nearly there by now and all my neighbors should be unwinding so I think it's safe. So much for a quiet evening!

(If I had been quick-witted Rebecca, when I saw it was Sandi at the door I would have flung it open and greeted her with, "Welcome to my brothel!" Maybe I would have asked her if she was bringing her application for employment. And only people in Nevada would understand...)