The Good Things in Life

There is so much good in the world all around us. Each one of us has so much to be grateful for. I have been so blessed by each one of you and the talents you share with me and the whole family.

My relationship with you is my treasure, a gift for which I am thankful every day.

People addicted to vices are slaves to their addiction. All they can see is the vice. It impacts their focus, attention, relationships, and abilities.

Addictions destroy opportunities and lives.

There are too many good things in life to give up for addictions. Too many.

Making music

This doesn't take a lot of explaining. It speaks for itself.

Words

I was reviewing my journal this week, and I came upon a fond memory:

We had a fun outing this week I shall always remember with fondness. Dad & Mom came up to go with us out to dinner and then to Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah to see the play Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond. We went to dinner together at Market Street Grill, and then we drove to the U. Mom and Dad pointed out sites such as the sorority and fraternity houses, things that had changed and things that were the same, and they shared experiences with us of how and when they first met. I remembered the stories vaguely but it was good to hear them again. Dad told how he had first seen Mom, or rather a picture of Mom, while he was serving his mission. His missionary companion had her picture. He later met her briefly at a skating party, but they were both with other dates on that particular evening. So it wasn’t until after this that Dad actually dated Mom. On his first date with Mom, she had invited him to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. That was the time the turkey hadn't been fully cooked. Mom remembers it with abhorrence. Dad just smiled. That's always been one of my favorite stories.

We soon found our seats and enjoyed the performance featuring Donny Osmond, which made it particularly special for Linda, since she has always been a raving fan. 

A wonderful evening indeed.

This is one memory I can enjoy time and again because I wrote the experience down in my journal and am able to remember it in detail and relive it each time I read it. Knowing how much my parents enjoyed that evening made it exquisite for me.

I know these are just words on a page, but they bring to life memories so warm and close to my heart that I get to relive them vicariously.

Thanks for letting me reminisce. Firsts

It was mom

To all the special women in our lives, thank you. We love you.

Mother's Day Special - Music and the Spoken Word

Mother Memories

Motherhood

Mom

Heartbeat symphony

Often when having too much fun, we think there must be something better we should be doing. Sound familiar? 

But this time around, I am working on exactly what I think is top priority in my life right now. Yet composing personal histories shouldn't be this much fun. You be the judge.

When I was a boy in Castle Valley, I remember tilling the ground, planting the fields of vegetation in the deep, red soil, then weeding long rows of Silver Queen corn. I'm sure I never thought at the time that I would long for those years gone by. But today, I relish working with the soil, planting seeds and sucklings, and nourishing the sprouts to reach their full potential. Perhaps this is one more way we replenish the earth and show appreciation for the abundance we have been given. Certainly we live through challenging periods—difficult as they may be at the time—so we can later recall the sweet melodies of life and relive the memories that are ingrained in our hearts. These chords are for our benefit, and we want them rooted in our own children to perpetuate the symphony of our lives. 

By capturing these stories in our personal histories, we not only save them for our posterity, but we revive them in our own minds and hearts. If we fail to remember these experiences and forget to enjoy the sweet memories of our lives, then perhaps that is the greatest loss of all.

Relishing former times with hindsight gives perspective during the challenges we face today.

Yes, reliving today's and tomorrow's memories could very well be the most fun we ever have.

Therein lies the treasure.