Lots of Thoughts

It has taken me a while to get on and blog because Madalynn changed the password again and didn't tell me what it is. I have had a lot of things I have wanted to talk about.

The week before last was a difficult yet inspiring one. Sister Myrna Pratt passed away. I shall miss her sweet smile so much and her gracious personality and strong spirit. At her funeral, her daughter Pam spoke about the last year of her life as she battled leukemia. Pam was feeling sad about her mother's suffering the asked her one day if she ever wondered "why me?" That was an obvious question that many of us may have wondered about. Her mother answered her, "Yes. These are the things I wonder. Why was I so lucky to have such a wonderful husband? Why have I been so blessed with such wonderful children? Why has my life been so wonderful? Why did I get to serve as a temple matron and serve a mission in South America?" She went on, but you can see how Myrna taught each of us the power of gratitude and of being of good cheer. The last time that she was at church with us she talked about how she kept such a positive attitude. She said, "How can I help but be positive when the Lord has blessed me so much?" The next week, she was in the hospital for her last month of treatments that proceeded her death. She has inspired me to be a little more grateful and a lot more positive in my conversations and thoughts. I always came away from a conversation with Myrna feeling better about myself because that was the kind of person she was. I want others to have that same feeling when they talk to me. I have found these traits to be true talents that can be cultivated. I have also felt inspired to follow her example of having fun with my children more often and serving my family a little better.

The next thing that I want to blog about is my trip to California this last week. We went and visited my mom and family there. It was so nice to see everyone. The visit was too short. There were hard things that happened to family members as well as neat things while we were there. It was so great to see how my family rallied around each other for the good times and the bad. I love them all so much. I feel so blessed that my mom is still with us. She is so sweet. She has to get her hip replaced. She asked her doctor if she would stay alive long enough to make it worth it. He told her that she is in good health and could have another 10 or 12 years. I chastised her for thinking the liberal Obama way. Even if she only had a few months or a year left to live, why should she have to live them in pain. Why should politicians be able to decide her quality of life? Each time she stood up, it was with such effort and pain. She didn't complain, but if she stumbled a little, she would say, "How stupid not to be able to keep myself upright and walk without a cane!" It made me want to weep for her because she has always been so busy and active doing things. I know how she feels in a small way because I too have been discouraged when I have realized that I can't do things as well as I once could as I age. On the inside we still feel like young girls, but our bodies don't believe it.

Last, but not least, Lindsey is going to be leaving for Vermont soon to attend Law School. We are so proud of her and so excited for her. We are also scared to death for her and wish that she were going to be attending a school much closer. I had wanted to go with her back to Vermont so badly, but because the elementary schools here start so stupid early and I can't have Madii and Jake missing 8 days of school right at the beginning, and I can't bring myself to leave them for a week and a half, I don't get to go. :( Glen is taking her. We are going to have them miss 3 days of school so we can go up to Provo and see them off and say goodbye. My heart is aching over the whole thing. But, I know that this will be a wonderful experience for her and that she will do so great at whatever she chooses because she is so smart and hard working and determined and capable. Another bright side is that we will see her and Alicia while we are up there.

Summer break is almost over and I haven't done everything I had hoped. The heat always does me in before I do. But, we have had a lot of enjoyable family time, which I am grateful for. I hope the kids will remember it fondly.