Kindness

The lesson in Relief Society today was on a subject I have been thinking about lately.

KINDNESS

The teacher made some points that deserve some thinking time.

1.  Kindness is a habit

2.  A kind person finds good in everyone

3.  A kind person is forgiving

4.  We should all nurture the spirit of love and kindness

5.  A kind person has a positive outlook

 By being kind, patient and forgiving 

we help soften hearts,

and encourage others to live righteously

Thank you Shelly for a great lesson.

Grandma's Gentle Words

I am a lucky girl.  Both of my grandmothers lived until just a few years ago, when I was well into my adult years.

They both taught me many great things to remember and guide my life.

One item of business that I often have time to reflect on is:

THERE IS NO ROOM IN A HAPPY LIFE FOR JEALOUSLY

I have found that if I start feeling a bit under appreciated or achieved, a good dose of good deeds for others cures that ill feeling.  When the green monster of jealousy rears it's head in relationships it usually comes out in unkind words and actions.  When you are feeling attacked from nowhere it is usually because the attacker is feeling jealous.  I find it best to try not to be that person.

Another of my grandmother's wise words were these:

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HURT FEELINGS IN A HAPPY LIFE

Sometimes it is best to resolve a matter by talking about the issue with the person who has offended you.  But, sometimes you just have to walk away and let time work it's magic.  It may be best to just lay low for a while. Then, when circumstances bring both of you together, go forward without looking back and dredging up old issues.  The two of you may always disagree, but a relationship on some level is better than none at all.  Remember TIME is your friend in this matter. Give it some time.

As our world swirls with commotion friend will be pitted against friend and families will be torn apart on issues that seem and are innocent at the start.  We live in perilous times.

Grandma also taught:

BE KIND IN ALL YOU DO

SMILE

REMEMBER TO PRAY

YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME

I am thankful for my wise grandmothers who helped me see the world from their point of view, after years of experiences they could see the good and look past the rough.

A smile makes a world of difference.  Kind words build bridges.  Time heals open wounds.  Prayer mends a broken heart.

and then...

He retired on Wednesday. On Thursday we started driving south and continued until the land ended, then we got on a big boat and continued our southward journey. Eventually we found ourselves deposited on land again and slowly started our drive northward. We made a few stops along the way. When we finally reached home again we had been gone almost 3 weeks.

Now we start the work of everyday living at home.

Our new bikes have arrived and we finished putting them together last night. We enjoyed going to the matinee to see a movie we have been waiting for and laughed and laughed. We met our daughter at the store and she gave us coupons to make our purchases in the middle of the morning.

Our friends have invited us to go to the Chinese restaurant for lunch on Tuesday--Senior Day--where the bill for both of us together will be $10. We have been walking around the lake every day and the scales are down 1 pound each--if we can keep this up for 30 weeks we will reach our goals. As I prepare our meals I fill the table with plenty of vegetable choices. I am trying to fix all of our meals at home keeping them delicious and simple.

All of our children who live in the country surprised us last weekend with a get together to celebrate our new phase of life. It was fun to see the grandchildren and their parents. We enjoyed the party and having a house full if only for sleep and breakfast before they all headed back to their busy lives. The only thing that would have made the moments better was if those in Germany could have zipped over for the night as well, but then we have tickets to go visit them in just a few days, so all is well.

Life is good and the fun times are just beginning--or so my friends tell me.

My husband retired and then.....

Dinner

There seems to be a lot of interest lately for something that is as old as time and families on the earth--Dinner.

It is true that we all need to eat.

Sometimes our choice of food and the amounts add up to too much (large portions has turned into a large me)--that is my focus lately--how to get back to the portion of food that is appropriate for the portion of me I should be.

But there is a more important reason for family dinner.....We have been reminded that as a family eats together you build family bonds that will last throughout their lives. I agree with that.

When my children were living at home we ate together most every night--most families do not do that any more. I have fond memories of my children gathered around the table and the fun conversations that came up as we discussed our day.

I also have fond childhood memories of sitting together with my siblings and parents, enjoying the meal and each others company. My mom and dad still make dinner at home most every day.

There is a group of ladies in my area who have decided to get together and exchange recipes and ideas. We are planning on meeting often to encourage each other to keep up the work of family dinners that do not add to a mother's middle section.

I am excited for this opportunity.

My mother has met with a group of ladies that she calls her 'club' since I was a little girl. I always wanted to be part of a group like that--friends who come together for a common interest that meet often to share ideas. The last time I was visiting my mom she invited me to go with her to her 'club' meeting. I was thrilled for the opportunity. It is the first time in my life I was invited to go and I had a great time.

Well, I am off to my first 'club' meeting. I have a lo-cal recipe in hand and a lifetime of ideas in my head. I am committed to try to loose at least a pound of extra me a week until summer arrives and I am hoping this incentive will do the trick.

Dinner at home together will be the reward. What are you cooking tonight??

-Tears

Christmas 5 years ago we received a urgent telephone call from Ryan Brew, a young man in our church congregation. He had been fighting cancer for quite a few years and was finally in remission--or so we thought. On this particular day, just before Christmas, he had a terrible back ache and needed my husbands help. As the doctor visits continued over the next few days and onto months I spent quite a few hours with his mother, Pam.

Pam was a wonderful mother to her 5 children and a devoted wife to her husband, Reggie. She took care of them all during this trying time for their family with class and style. As Ryan's final days drew to a close Pam and I cried together as only mothers can. We shared many tender moments as the family tried to heal and continue living while missing Ryan so much.

Two months ago we got word that Pam was now the family member with urgent medical needs. The doctor diagnosed stomach cancer and just hours later Pam's life was forever altered. It has been a rough autumn for the family and this last weekend with her family around her, Pam said goodbye.

Pam Brew was an elect lady. She was kind and loving. She was a supportive wife and loving grandmother. She has 3 daughters that my heart aches for. For weeks we prayed for health and life, at the end we prayed for peace and a quick passing. This life is such a short span of time.

I cried with Pam at Ryan's passing. I cry for the family and myself at Pam's passing. Life is too short. I need to kiss my husband and spend a moment longer hugging my children and grandchildren as I see them over the course of the holiday.

This is the second friend I've lost this year. I guess the flip side of that is the two grandbabies I welcomed into the world in the same span of time. This is the season to stop and recognize our blessings. I was blessed to know a wonderful woman named Pam Brew. Someday I hope to see her again.

May peace of heart encircle her family as they cry this holiday and give them strength to continue on. The world was a better place because Pam Brew made it better for all she knew and loved.

-Pack It Up

I spent yesterday helping a friend pack up and get ready to move

far, far away from here.

I am sad for me.

She will be close to her family, it is good for her.

Sad for me.

We have been friends for almost 20 years, through thick and thin (literally), rebellious teenagers, eleven weddings, hospital stays and brand new grand babies.

Talking to my friend and hearing her stories always reminds me that my family is normal.

I will miss that comfortable reminder.

Even though the miles will now separate us, our memories (and blogging) will still keep us close.

Life is here to enjoy the journey,

even though the road sometimes takes a few twists and turns you were not planning on.

The trick is to keep your eyes open and smile as you go.

Travel safe, my friend. I love you.

FOOD

It is time to run FAST. I am on the food committee for Youth Conference--
200 youth
aged 14-18
3 days
9 meals or snacks
Home made cookies
Home made bread
watermelon
chicken stew
Water--LOTS of water
aprons
dish towels
and so on and so on....

Today's Thought:

There are three kinds of people:
those who make things happen;
those who watch things happen;
and those who have no idea what has happened.

I hope I have an idea. Wish me luck.

In Everything Give Thanks

I have a friend that passed away this week. Catie Dunn Stubben. She was a young mother with 3 small children aged 2-6. I had her children in my pre school and grew close to the family when Catie was first diagnosed with cancer. She was pregnant with the youngest at the time, that is how they found the cancer. Sarah was born 3 months early and thrived. She had such a desire to be a part of this sweet family.

Last year Catie brought me a sign that hangs in my front room so all can see. It says:

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

Catie always had a giant smile on her face. She found joy in everything that she did. She looked for the good in all that came her way. She and Steve were such a good team as they took care of the children and kept Catie on her medical regiments. Her mother would come from Tennessee every other week to take care of the children and then take them back with her and return again--truly an angel on wheels.

My prayers are with the family as they weep for their sweetheart and mother. May God's loving arms surround them with peace and may they be filled with hope as they remember how Catie lived.

I know that Steve with his children David, Mary and Sarah will think of Catie's wise counsel when they reflect that they are an eternal family. May we all try to remember a big smile and sweet face glowing with joy in the most difficult of circumstances and try to remember that there is always a reason for thankfulness.

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

Thank you Catie for your good example. Till we meet again.