It is late

It is after 10 PM, and I am feeling very sentimental tonight. I have been looking at this screen for hours doing genealogy. I always get sentimental thinking about those who have gone on before. But then I drifted into facebook and somehow ran across a person I had known all through school, and I mean all through school. We were in kindergarten together, and in the same classes on and off until we graduated from High School. We lived around the corner from each other, and some of my few memories of childhood involve him. As we got into High School, our lives seemed to take different paths, and I had not heard anything of my friend for 30 years. How does one lose touch with a friend just like that? As I look back, I have lost touch with so many friends. I wonder, is it just to hard to keep in touch, or what?
As I read of the struggles in my friends life, and how he has come through them, I am amazed. And I wonder where my life is. I keep myself in this small secure circle. I have my family (who by the way mean everything to me) and rarely to I step outside. I wonder if I have spent all these years hiding within myself. Who have I helped, who have I touched. What wonderful words of wisdom do I give that help others. Sometimes I really wonder what I have done with my life-and it is way to far past my bedtime for this.
Tomorrow is another day-a day to make a difference.

Funeral

This past Friday we were in California for Forrest's Dad's Funeral. I had never been to a Funeral at a National Cemetery before, and I have to say it was quite impressive. Fred had been ill for so long, that in many ways this was a happy release. I had not been sure how Ivy Jade and Sage would behave in the cemetery and during the service, so last week we took a walk to the local cemetery and talked about what would happen-including the 21 gun salute. We talked about how this would be to honor Grandpa Fred, and it would be a very special time. They were absolutly wonderful during the service, even stood in as pall bearers to escort Grandpa Fred. Michael was able to get emergency leave so he was there to salute his grandfather. I think Fred would have been pleased. At the end of the service we just sat there and shared memories of Fred. I hope that some healing took place in that cemetery that day. RIP Fred.

Mothers Day

I came home last night to find my table decorated. I have to be honest, I sat down and cried. With all that Forrest has been going through this week, he still took time to remember Mothers Day with 3 of my favorite things-Andes candies, Lindor truffles and Roses! Combine that with a completely empty house (yes, no pitter patters) it was a wonderful gift. I had a lovely walk up town, then sat down with a book. Oh yea!

Salt Lake City

Today Forrest and I went north to do some shopping. On the freeway he got in the wrong lane and we ended up going north in Salt Lake instead of south towards home. So of course we ended up at Temple Square. It is so beautiful this time of year, the tulips are in bloom and color was everywhere! It was a perfect day!

Practically Perfect Morning

I woke up this morning to sunshine and warm air. Sage played mommy all morning. She put her "baby" to sleep (after singing to her and rocking her of course) on a pillow on the living room floor, turned off the light and told me to sshh. Then we walked up town to pick up Ivy from school. Ivy was particularily chatty on the way home. Her wonderfull words of wisdom--Jesus likes flowers, that is why he put seeds in the stores! Oh, it doesn't get any better than that.

Success

Through out all the ages, people have had a different definition of success. Some believe that the wealth one amasses shows success, how big a house, what kind of car (you get the picture). Today, I have a new definiton of success:
Success is being respected by hundreds of people who, when you pass from this life come to honor you on your last journey. Last night we went to the viewing of a man who did not live in a mansion, did not drive a flashy car, and who did not in this life amass a fortune, but he was a success. The viewing was to start at 6 PM, we went at 6:10, and did not even get into the room until 7:30PM. It was 8:00 before we made it to the family. When we finaly got to the book to sign, 230 people had signed before us, (remeber, we arived only 10 minutes after the viewing had started),and the line behind us still went out of the Gym and down the hall. Yes, I did say Gym. Now I know you are thinking Who would have their viewing in a Gym. Well, it just so happens this Gym had been named for him. Who was he? Not a famous singer, not a polition, not a millinare, not any of those things you might think. He was-a retired high school teacher and coach. He was a man who was true to his values in every situation, a man who lifted his students rather than tearing them down. He taught by example everyday of his life, and those he taught came to honor him this one last time. Several of the flower arrangements were not from individuals, but from classess. "To Coach fromt the Class of 68" or "Graduating Class of 1988", and even "The class of 1944". Coach Wilbur Braithwaite was a success in every sense of the word, and if you can't understand why hundreds would honor a mere school teacher, Google his name, and prepare to learn the real definition of a success! Thanks Coach, for everything! We were blessed just to have known you.