Rhonda-across the street and down the hill was another friend, Rhonda. She was the baby in a family with about 12 kids. We were only five years old and she was already an aunt. We used to ride branches on trees like they were horses bouncing up and down. One time I got new red Keds, and came to show Rhonda. She was in the bathtub, so I straddled the bathtub to show her and fell in and got my brand new shoes wet. I was really sad. We spent hours playing in the little creek near our homes. Then we moved up the road, too far for little kids to walk, so I would see Rhonda at school but we didn’t play together anymore. I run into her even now 50+ years later and we hug and visit like usual.
Kati-I only remember playing at Kati’s 2 times, and maybe it was the same time just a sleepover. We rode snowmobiles around their fields. It was fun and exciting to do something I’d never done, also something I wouldn’t do again till after high school. I remember her mom made me a soft boiled egg for breakfast. It tasted good, but I’ve never had one since.
Martin-my mom would leave at Martin’s to be tended. I might have been about 6-7 years old and my favorite thing to do there was play in the barn. We would play in the tack room, sitting on the saddles pretending we were riding horses. if you click your tongue and move your hips it’s pretty close. It smelled so good, hay and leather!
Dawn-she was a not always there, friend. It seemed like I was always available to play and she wasn’t. She lived around the corner and most of the time she couldn’t play and if she could and would she was sometimes not very nice to me. I guess when you are lonely you will put up with a lot. So we played when she was in the mood, which wasn’t often.
Michael-my first “boyfriend“. We were in 3rd grade. He was adorable. Blonde curly hair, blue eyes and he thought I was cute too. He wore this fancy leather vest everyday, with long fringe on either side of the chest and across the back. It started about chest level going across horizontally and hung down to the bottom of the vest. It would dance around as he walked. One day I told him I thought his vest was neat and he took it off and said I could wear it. That‘s when I knew he thought I was cute, too. I felt so special. He let me wear it everyday.
New life-Trees with buds and flowers blooming, baby chicks, baby lambs, and babies all around. More sunshine and warmer weather. What blessings!
Pretty dresses-Each little girl wearing a new dress for Easter. It’s a special feeling to get cleaned up and put on a new pretty dress to go to church and sing and pray. To remember Jesus on Easter morning. As a little girl Easter was the only time I got a new dress, and sometimes new shoes! In my bedroom, I would hang my dress where I could barely see it in the darkness as I fell asleep. My shoes would be positioned next to my pillow in their box in my bed, so I could reach over and touch them or look to make sure they were still there. I felt so special that I could have new and beautiful things.
Egg Hunts-Fun times with kids and grandkids hiding and finding the eggs. As I’ve gotten older and can host or help with Egg Hunts it is so much fun to get everything ready for the kids to come. My Darlin and I work hard on the yard to make it look nice, and invite all the grandkids to come and hunt. The are so adorable and seeing them having fun is the best. When I was a kid, eggs would be hidden around the house. We would search and search. Funny thing is we would almost always miss one and find it a month or two later.
Sweet Treats-Baskets with treats and candy. Some people don’t believe we should give kids candy in abundance. Well, we don’t have candy all the time, but when I was a child it was so fun and unusual to get candy and a chocolate bunny in my basket. To me it gives all of us something sweet to look forward to in life. Landmark dates that keep us going and celebrating life. Treats are a must!
True Love-Most important and overwhelming is the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ who gave all for us. And our Father in Heaven who gave us a plan and way to learn and grow, because He loves us and wants us to become more! He knew we would make mistakes and need a Savior. When I think of the death of Jesus and all that happened on Good Friday I get so sad. I can think about it but it hurts to think of all He went through. I’m so grateful for Sunday morning and for His resurrection. It is finished. He accomplished what no-one else could do and because of Him we all are blessed. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son our Savior.
When I was little, I had a tricycle. I loved my tricycle, and rode it as much as I could. Some days were snowy days, and some days I was busy doing other fun things for playtime. I remember one year it was Christmas time, and I found my tricycle in the basement in Dad‘s room where he did projects. I was surprised to find it there, and wondered what Daddy was doing with it. On Christmas day I received a tricycle that looked a lot like my tricycle, but was a different color. How fun to get a new tricycle in a new color to ride and enjoy! Many years later, and many Christmases later I was one of the parents with little children to surprise on Christmas morning. In the garage hidden in the back was a Wonder horse that had belonged to Riley years before. He had outgrown it and I thought he forgot about it. My Darlin and I thought we would paint it up and give it to Alex for Christmas. Early on Christmas morning the kids woke us up excited to check out their presents! It’s always a fun time on Christmas morning. As each of the kids surveyed their gifts, I noticed Riley checking out Alex‘s horse. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. Then he said, ”Hey.., that looks a little like my old Wonder horse.” I said, “Hmmm, I thought your wonder horse was in the back of the garage.” and he said, ”Oh yeah!” and then continued playing with his toys as happy as could be. Another Christmas, Riley had asked for a mountain bike for Christmas. Weeks before Christmas came my Darlin and I had found a bike in really good shape at a yard sale and decided that this would do for Riley‘s Christmas. Christmas morning came Riley surveyed his toys and came up to the mountain bike and said, ”Hey, this bike is used!” all the kids stopped what they were doing a looked. I had to think fast and said, “Well, maybe it is. Maybe Santa gave it to another little boy that didn’t appreciate it and so now he’s giving it to you.” Riley looked at the bike smiled and said, “This is a great bike!”
As children, we never realize the sacrifice our parents make to provide for our needs and our wants. It isn’t until we become the parents that we see how much love really goes into the gifts that are given. My parents were doing the best they could, and me and my Darlin as parents were too. The most important part of getting and giving gifts is understanding the heart of the person giving it. Most people are doing the best they can and we should appreciate that.
Teaching our children to love and appreciate what they have and what they get is the very best gift we can give them, and I’m so grateful my parents gave me that gift!
We found a cute little China shelf on KSL classifieds and bought it to make a hanging place for coats, etc. in the entryway. We removed a few shelves and added hooks. It turned out pretty cute and I used the top two shelves to decorate for each season.
After 5 years or so, I was ready for a change and we needed more hooks and places to hang the coats and purses when family visits. So my sweety and I made a plan.
You can’t tell in this picture, but there are two cupboards in the bottom of this bench. The one on the right was for Tayzie to stay in while we were gone. Just so you know there was a wire door inside the wood door, so Tayzie was not closed in the wood cupboard without air and a way to see out. She loved it. The other one was just storage. So because we were still using the bench part we just took the top off and sent it to thrift store.
So here is the bench part without the top. We planned to paint it all the same color at the end.
My Darlin added a bench to either side of the cupboard, headboard, and a shelf.
Here’s another angle. We’re going to have lot’s of places to hang things!
And here it the finished project! It is perfect! We love it and it last for years and years. I love that me and my Darlin can do so many projects around the house ourselves. I’m super excited to see how well it works when the family comes for dinner!
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we don’t have paid clergy. Everyone helps and serves. We often take turns doing responsibilities. Right now the leader of our congregation is a wonderful man whose full time job is to work at the local fire station. He donates his time without pay to help members who need help, and to keep us all organized.
A congregation is called a ward. There are lots of people in a ward, maybe 500 or so. There are organizations within the ward that are for specific groups. There is the Primary, where the little kids meet. The Young Women and Young Men where the kids that are 11 years old up to 18 meet. The women’s organization is called the Relief Society, it’s almost 180 years old. The Elders Quorum where the men meet. When we go to church after our big main meeting called Sacrament, we go to our separate rooms and learn some more about God, life and being good.
I starting wondering if I could remember all the responsibilities/callings I’ve had in my 60 years. I’m sure I’ve missed some and we don’t really serve until we’re 18+ years old, so in the last 42 years I came up with 29 Callings or responsibilities I’ve had in my life.
Nursery-18 months-3 years old
Missionary-I served in Texas in the 80’s for 18 months
Sunday School-17-18 year olds
Teaching Relief Society
Relief Society-2nd Counselor
Homemaking Leader-Relief Society
Teaching Relief Society-Spiritual Living Lesson
Teaching Relief Society-Compassionate Service Lesson
Relief Society 1st Counselor
Relief Society President
Young Women-Camp Director
Relief Society-Visiting Teaching Coordinator
Ward Librarian
Primary Teacher
Relief Society-Homemaking Leader
Primary Teacher
Scout Leader-Wolves-8 year olds
Assistant Camp Director
Primary 2nd Counselor
Young Women President
Primary Teacher
Relief Society Teacher
Primary President
Family History Consultant
Ward Missionary
Relief Society Teacher
Young Women MiaMaid Adviser
Primary Teacher
Family History Consultant
I have always learned lessons from my callings. Some I learned more from than others. And sometimes the ones I learned the most from were because they were very hard for me.
When you get a calling, the secretary to the Bishop calls you and says, “The Bishop would like to meet with you, can you come ______,” Then you worry until you see him about what he wants. I’ll be honest, sometimes I knew what he wanted. I had already received a feeling or confirmation in my heart/mind about what was coming. Those times I didn’t worry as much, because I knew God was calling me. I knew He would help me to serve. Not that He wasn’t calling me for other callings. I believe the Bishop and his counselors pray and ask God if so and so is a good fit for this or that calling, at this time. Maybe I’ve felt it in my heart when the calling was big.
When I was just 29 years old I had just had my third child. I was in the middle of motherhood. Up to here, with the daily routines. I was very overwhelmed, but I knew I was going to be the new Relief Society President. I don’t know how to explain it, but I knew it was coming and I knew I could do it. As I met with the Bishop, I thought about all the things going on in our little home. I thought about all of the things God was asking me to do, and all of the time I would need to spend loving and caring for the sisters in our ward. As I was set apart by the Bishop and he placed his hands on my head and pronounced blessings and promises which I knew would help me, a feeling of peace came over me.
Some how I found time to visit, organize and love all of the sisters in our ward. I had chosen to quit breastfeeding my new baby a few months after he was born, and realized it was a blessing that I could just hand him over to his dad if I needed to be somewhere, or help someone. I loved serving the women in our ward and felt so blessed by their love and goodness.
A few months into my calling as Relief Society President, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I was pretty much maxed out. I don’t know how I did it, except to say that Father In Heaven had been helping me to complete my responsibilities. He was blessing me with some strength I didn’t even know I had. I also learned that many sisters in our ward had depression. One of the sisters said she had prayed that God would call a president that actually understands depression. I did, and the Bishop was checking on me often to see how I was doing. I would let him know that I felt like I could keep going, I knew I was being sustained by heaven and all of the sisters.
On January 1st I received a call that has forever changed me. I was called to help at the hospital and be there for the family, where a couple from our ward had just been killed by a drunk driver. They were taking their son to the hospital in the early hours of the morning with what they thought might be appendicitis. As they drove up the street they missed the turn to the hospital, and had just slowed down to make a u turn when they were broadside by a car going way too fast! The husband was killed instantly, and the wife died shortly after arriving at the hospital. She was pregnant. The son they were taking to the hospital was ok, and didn’t have appendicitis. I have never seen such sorrow and devastation. News of the tragedy went through our ward and most of us young parents thought about what would happen to our kids if we were suddenly gone. The Relief Society is usually in charge of the meal for the family after a funeral. Watching all of the family grieve was almost more that I could stand. I told the bishop maybe it was time for me to be released.
I think about this sweet couple every New Year. I feel sorrow for their loss and worry for anyone who might be out and about on that day. I am always telling family to be so careful and watch for drunk drivers. I prefer to stay home to bring in the New Year.
Callings and responsibilities can have that effect on you, changing you forever. I will never forget the lesson’s I learned, and the challenges I overcame as the young and overwhelmed Relief Society President of our ward.
I’m not a super hero, but I do have a super power.
My little brother says, we remember what’s important to us. Well, I must consider birthdays very important. Maybe I didn’t get enough attention when I was younger on my birthday, I don’t know, but I love my birthday, I love celebrating and I love remembering other peoples birthdays and special days.
For as long as I can remember I have had a good memory for other peoples birthdays. I can remember other special days, too. I don’t know for sure how it happens, but when I explain it to others they like to tease me. Example: I’ll say, “Well, I was almost full term pregnant with Kelsey when Scott and Stacy got married. I was big and uncomfortable at the wedding, and Kelsey was born a week later on July 21st. So I know their wedding anniversary is July 15th.”
So family will say, in jest- “The moon was rising over Sagittarius and Jupiter was falling…” like it is a magic ability, or power. Well, if I do have a super power this is it. If you asked me the price of bananas, I have no idea and never have. I can’t remember any prices, ever. I don’t know if what I’m shopping for is a good deal, because I can’t remember what the price of hamburger is per pound. If I need bananas, I buy them. If I need hamburger I buy it, but forget a birthday? Never!
For example: in January these are the birthdays, Brad-2nd, Lizzie-2nd, Indie-6th, Nancy-9th, Ian-16th, Vickie-17th, Monroe-22nd, Kiefer-23rd, Liam-23rd, Lilli-30th, Colin-30th, Abby-31st. I typed all of these from memory except 2. I had to check, but not too bad.
I have made lists of birthday, and anniversaries and shared them with the rest of the family. I may have even saved someone from missing an important birthday. Just sayin’. In that way I may even be a super hero!
I love my family, my people. I have chosen to send a birthday card to each family member on their birthday. It takes effort, but I want them to know I love them and I want them to know they are remembered on their special day. Most the time I don’t hear back from them. That’s ok. The ones who say thank you are always so glad I took the time to remember them. I just got a message from my niece who is serving a mission in Germany. She got her bday card and loved it. When your away from home and you get mail it’s the best!
Maybe that’s it. When I was a missionary I loved mail. When someone takes the time to send a letter it means they thought about you to think about doing it, then they thought about you while writing the letter/card, then they thought about you while getting/writing the address, and then one more time while dropping it off at the mailbox! So much loving thoughts.
They acknowledge our steps along the road. They let us savor the joy, yet again. They inspire laughter and shenanigans. They embrace pageantry and tradition. They ask us to close our eyes and make a wish for the future. -Tiffany&Co.
One of the things that have evolved in the history of mankind is the need to remember something. Maybe a hundred years ago or so, you might have to remember a combination to a lock, or locker. You might have to remember where the letters were located on a type writer. You would have to remember how to drive a car, or a car with a stick shift.
In the period of time I live in it has gotten very complicated. I am still trying to come to terms with the amount of change and detail I feel overwhelmed by on a daily basis. My number one pet peeve and it is something I deal with everyday, is passwords.
In the world we live in you need at least a few passwords to function. In this world there has been evil almost from the start. If we could trust everyone, we might not need locks and passwords and so many things to remember. But for now, this is what we get.
Even the most basic function of taking care of keeping your money safe is more complicated. If you have a bank account you can use your plastic card to get money out of the bank, but you’ll also need a 4 digit pin (like a password) to finish the job. This is a private, secure, random number that you must remember. It really should not be written down, to keep it secure.
If you want to receive email, besides the mail you receive from the mailman (snail mail, as it’s called), you need to make sure you have access to a computer, this is called being “Online”, then choose a provide; Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, etc. Don’t ask me how to make the decision on who to use as a provider, cause I don’t know. Then you decide what your email address will be. Some people use cleaver emails, like i.like.cats@example.com, or betty_better_best@funexample.com. It is quite an ordeal to even come up with your address. Then check and see if it’s available. If it’s not available then someone else picked it first. The hardest part is next- decide on a password. It must be at least 8-10 characters long, use numbers and letters and symbols. Then after you decide and have a really creative password, never forget it…except when you do, then you have to reset your password and come up with another really creative password. Sometimes my fingers hit the wrong keys, and it says my password is incorrect. This is sooo frustrating to me. I take it personal. I am offended! “What the ______!” “No dang way!” “Oh my h___!” If I forget or have to reset my password when I’m away from home and can’t write something to see if it is creative, I just come up with something on the fly and then I may never remember it again. My brain was not built to remember passwords.
If you want to shop online, check on your kids progress at school, be a part of Social Media- which means checking out what everyone else is doing in their life (Online), you need multiple passwords I have hundreds of passwords. I hate them! They make me crazy! I do have a place where I keep some of them besides my head, but it is even more confidential than my passwords.
Even though I can do lots of things because of passwords it feels like how I imagine hell. You are in a place where you want out. You can see from a distance things to do, nice things to see, places to go. There are old friends and new friends over in the distance, but you can’t go, because you don’t remember your password. They have helpers to help you reset your passwords, but because you’ve done it so many times nothing sticks anymore. “Nope, nothin in my noggin!”
Now all of this is the best case scenario. The worst is if someone finds out your password, they can do serious damage to your life. They can take your money. They can take your identity and pretend they’re you, shopping online and scamming your friends on social media. Why? I have no idea, except they are annoying and evil. These people apparently have brains made for millions of passwords or least know how to use a computer for that. They not only have their own, but try to find out everyone else’s passwords. Losers!! I don’t know what the answer is except to just keep making really cleaver passwords and forgetting them. It is the world we live in.
My hope is someday we have a better world without passwords and losers!
Maybe that’s death. I sure hope I don’t go to password hell.
I love to watch cheerleaders! They are truly amazing. They get you pumped up and excited about life. When they perform and do stunts it is a wow moment in life! One of the funnest things I’ve seen them do is called Spirit fingers. They lift up their hands high in the air and wiggle their fingers and yell “Wooohooo!” If they do it right the people in the audience will raise their hands and do spirit fingers back to them and yell “Wooohooo” too.
I loved cheerleaders in junior high school too. I thought that being a cheerleader would be so fun! I did gymnastics for years and knew how to tumble, and do some tricks. I decided when try outs were coming up that I should try out for cheerleader. I worked hard at it, but I was all by myself. Some of the girls would work together as they practiced the required cheer and stunts. We didn’t have stunts back them like they have now, where several girls lift the smallest girl while she holds her leg up and then flips off the top of the girls holding her. It was just you doing a cheer that they gave you. On the day of try outs I was so nervous. I felt good too, like it could happen. I could make cheerleader and have a blast cheering the teams on at all the games.
When it was my turn to try out, I ran out into the gym, did a tumbling pass and yelled my cheer at the top of my lungs! I thought “Oh yeah, I’ve got spirit!” It went well, I thought, mostly because I never got to see anyone else try out. I felt good about it though. I went home. Wondered about it several times. Then bedtime came. I didn’t sleep great, because I was still wondering and hoping that I made it. The next morning I got on the bus for school. I saw one of the other girls who tried out. I said, “I think I might have made cheerleader.” She said, “Really?” I said, “I just feel good about how I did.” She smiled. When we got to school they had an assembly were the new cheerleaders were announced. I found out that the new cheerleaders had been kidnapped the night before and taken for dinner or dessert, I can’t remember which. I also found out that the girl who tried out with me and that I talked to on the bus made cheerleader. I felt foolish. I wished I hadn’t said anything to her. Oh well, I thought you can’t do anything about it now. I was sad for little while, but then ok with not making cheerleader, but I never tried out again. That was about 47 years ago.
I still love to watch cheerleaders. They are amazing. It sure looks like fun!
I was recently thinking about the story of trying out for cheerleader. I’m ok with not making it, and not being a cheerleader, but I realized while thinking, I am a cheerleader! Even though I didn’t make cheerleader as a young woman I am a cheerleader and always will be.
At 21 years old, I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was a cheerleader for people looking for a Savior and friend. As missionaries we would cheer as they accepted the gospel and were baptized members of the church. We felt the spirit as they bore humble testimony of God and His influence in their lives. What a blessing to be their cheerleaders.
I cheer for my brothers, Daddy and Mama. Since Daddy passed away I am my mama’s biggest cheerleader. I give her pep talks and tell her how amazing she is, and that she can “do it!”
In the first years of marriage and even now, I am my husbands best cheerleader. All through the years we raised our children I cheered them on daily! (Spirit fingers!!) I was chosen to be a Relief Society President and Head cheerleader to our ward women’s organization. It was an important job- encouraging those mom’s and wives to do their best in spite of exhaustion. I cheered the Primary children on as the Primary President and leader and taught them all about spirit, and how to follow the leader. I cheered for the Young Women in our neighborhood as the Young Women President and leader, and sometimes we cheered together about this wonderful, and exciting life! Just like a high school football game, there were highs and lows and I would cheer; “You can do it! There’s nothin to it!!”
I cheer for my kids now that they are adults, and their spouses and their darling little team mates! I will always be their cheerleader!
This year I made it to one of the best squads. I didn’t even have to try out. I was chosen to be a cheerleader for Families. I am so excited to cheer for the members of our ward family. I will cheer and encourage and persuade them to research and find their loved ones and get to know them. Then they can take them to the temple and be together forever!! I am cheering on my friends who are writing their personal histories. I am sharing my excitement and spirit for Family History. Yes! This is an important job. I love it and I’m having so much fun cheering!
We can all be cheerleaders. You don’t have to try out. You just need to be available and care about others. It’s that simple.
“We have spirit- yes we do, We have spirit- how about you?”
I love birthdays! I love all birthdays! I love sending cards and buying balloons and decorating cakes. I love giving gifts and watching the expression of the person opening the gift. I love celebrating my birthday as well.
I’m always happy I’ve had another year to get smarter and wiser and more appreciative of the blessings and people I am surrounded by. It’s like celebrating the fact that “I’m here!” I made it another trip around the sun! I’m doing my best at life and I love that God gave me a family and friends to help me while I’m here.
I’m sure that birthdays like life are what you make it!
When it’s my birthday I sometimes get worried because of expectations. Will the people I love remember? What is the celebration going to be like? I have learned that in order to not worry, I just tell everyone it’s coming and make a plan for what I want to do. Some of my favorite bdays were spent doing projects and organizing my home and life, but best of all is celebrating with family!
This year I’m turning 60. That is old!! I remember thinking 30 was old when I was a teenager. Now I’m twice as old -as old! I’m so happy to be here. It’s like going on a long trek, or hike. It feels so good that you are finished with the challenge, but you feel really sore. Yes when you get older things ache. I’m not going to die yet, so don’t worry about that, I’m just letting the reality of where I am sink in. I know there are people who run marathons, climb mountains, do iron man competitions at this age. Not me. I’m just moving along “slow and steady” like Alex taught me many years ago.
Waking up this morning I laid there thinking about turning 60, and where I am in life. I felt such an immense feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to live. Life is hard, but life is also such an amazing experience! My blessings and challenges are what has made me who I am.
I was blessed to be born into a family. My parents were and always have been loving, and kind. They have taught me to work, to set goals, to be the kind of person others can count on. Their example has been such a blessing, and I’m so grateful for them. My Daddy has passed on, but I’ve learned, and I believe he is close and still loving me. I know when I feel sad, it’s because I’m thinking about me. I am happy he is resting from his busy and hectic life. I will see him when it’s my time.
I grew up with 3 older brothers, Brian, Brad and Keith. They taught me to be tough. They weren’t always nice, so that taught me empathy. They made mistakes, and that taught me to love unconditionally. Sometimes I felt alone and unloved by them, but I learned to just keep trying to be a good little sister to them. I am a total fan of boys and men because of all my brothers fun and entertaining personalities. I know they know I love them. They have all passed to the other side. I miss them, but I know we’ll see each other again.
I have 2 little brothers. They taught me to have patience and think of others. I hope I wasn’t too mean to them. I was left in charge of them when our parents went on trips, We would go get fast food and eat Frosty’s. As adult they are very talented, and their knowledge and life choices are creative and inspiring. They are such a blessing to me. They are my very dear friends and I love spending time with them.
I am a Family History fan. Knowing where I came from is huge! I feel so blessed to know grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and second cousins, etc. I have learned about the life of these people. What kind of sickness or sorrow was part of their existence. Did they have it easy? No, I believe it was harder. I admire and adore them. I believe that because they lived and rose from each challenge that I can too. How great is that? I can do hard things!
All my young life, I wanted to be loved by a sweetheart. A soul mate, and best friend. I wasn’t really sure it would happen, but it did. My Darlin is that sweetheart. I am so grateful for our marriage. My Darlin, is a loving and hard working man. I can count on him and I know he loves me. He has always put our family first. I wouldn’t trade our 36 + years togethers for anything. It hasn’t been perfect, but we’ve learned so much. We have learned how to sacrifice for our children and each other. We have learned what matters most in life and that is love, patience and kindness. We have always included God in our relationship. We pray daily thanking God for each other and asking His blessing upon our marriage. He has blessed us!
I’ve wanted to be a Mama since I played with my baby dolls as a child. I know I am so blessed to be a Mama. I have learned so much about life from my 4 children. They are each unique and amazing. They are all grown up and I feel a little sad about that, but what wonderful adults they have become. When I feel lonesome now and then, I remind myself that the amazing adults they are- is my best hopes and desires for them. We taught them to be responsible, we taught them to love, and share, and do good in the world. They are much better than I could ever imagined!! Because of their great choices they have wonderful sweethearts, too. Oh, do I ever feel so much love and admiration for the humans they grew up to be, and their wonderful choices!
“Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your kids.” I don’t know who said that, but it’s funny. The truth is Grandchildren are such a blessing because you’ve already been through raising your kids. You don’t have to worry about them, because that is their parents job. You get to hug them, and kiss them, and sugar them up, and send them home. They are like the cherry on top! The icing on the cake! Such a wonderful part of life, that’s grandparenthood. Sometimes grandparenthood isn’t what you thought it would be, but that’s ok too. You just do your best in every situation. Just love everyone! (and maybe try not to have expectations) I’m so grateful that my life includes grandkids!
“Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” I haven’t always been a good friend. I have made others feel sad. I have had friends be unkind to me as well. I’ve learned that friendship is a treasure that is worth the effort. I know that friends are part of my life because God knew I needed them. Their example, the acceptance, the experiences we’ve shared. I love them so much!
Knowing about God, and Jesus is such a blessing. I wouldn’t have made it through life without them. I can’t forget the Spirit or Holy Ghost. When times are hard and I am sad. I know because of the peace I feel when I pray that God is aware of me and loves me. He will help me out of some situations and others He will hold my heart while We go through it together. I know He sent me to earth to have experiences and grow. I know he wants me back when I’m done.
I’m glad I’m 60 years old! I’m so blessed. I’m thankful for all of my life experiences the beautiful, wonderful experiences and the challenges. I wouldn’t go back. No regrets. I’m not going that way anyway. Like my “Most Quoted” said, “I’m trying really hard at life!” and I always will.
While our youngest, and Bonus Baby was in high school and Most Quoted and Dream Come True were on their missions, Emily begged me for a pet dog. We had lost our precious Taz just a few years before and we all missed him so much. One day while running errands we noticed that the local pet store was having an adoption day. We went in just to look. They have quite the set up, telling you how wonderful it is to adopt a pet, one that might end up being put down if not adopted. They were all adorable, and very friendly. We wanted a dog. He or she couldn’t be too old, because we just had just recently lost our beloved Taz, and adopting seemed like a good idea thinking the dog would already be trained to go potty outside and some of the basic commands. We saw a cute little fluffy dog and read the name, Spazzle. Hmmm, is that a name that represents someone just having fun, or is this dog a Spazz? We wondered, but decided to get the dog.
Now just so you know, it’s kind of a production adopting an animal. First the animals are have a computer chip inserted to identify the animal if they get lost or stolen. The animals have been fixed so they won’t produce other animals. The price to adopt was $100. They make you sign a form that says you won’t take the animal to the pound, or sell the animal to someone else. If there is a problem you call them and they’ll make it right.
The very first night we got Spazzle home she slept in her kennel and pooped in her kennel. This was a huge red flag to me, knowing that dogs don’t poop where they sleep. I cleaned it up really good and she slept there the next night and pooped again. I thought this dog has been abused and left so long in its kennel it had no choice but to relieve itself. She had many accidents in the house. I thought maybe she just needed to have a little encouragement. We would go out with her to go potty, in our fenced yard, and wait for her to go, so we could give her a treat and praise her. She would never go. Finally we’d come in the house and as soon as we did she’d poop or pee on the floor. I have never had so much frustration with an animal in my life.
Finally after two weeks of trying to work with her, I called the adoption place and told them, “Either come get her, or she’s going to the pound.” I’ve never sent a dog to the pound. They came and got her, and we lost $100 dollars.
The more I thought about it and the more we talked about it, it felt kind of like a racket to us. ‘Let’s guilt these people into adopting a dog that is a Spazz and has been mistreated, then tell them we decide what happens to the animal even after they adopt it.’ So when you are at the end of your rope and can’t handle the animal anymore, not only do you have to call them to come get it, you lose money. Then they can re-adopt this defective animal to another unsuspecting family. I feel sorry for Spazzle. She was a sweet, dumb dog. The people who were trying to come across as caring, animal people, were not. I will never adopt an animal again.
