I missed you! But you didn't even know I was gone did you, since I can go days without posting sometimes!
I had a great weekend.
But first I want to talk about President Hinckley’s funeral. I have watched and listened to numerous General Conferences and have come away uplifted and encouraged to be a better person, but watching his funeral was a life altering experience for me. He was a remarkable man. I came away with an immense desire to work harder, to make more light of my struggles and trials, and to find more humor in the trying situations of my life. He brought happiness wherever he went. What will people say of me when I am gone, I wonder? I want to be known as someone who was happy and who made others around her happy. I want to have the outlook that “things will work out because they always do”. I want to love more deeply and feel the joy of living. My sister-in-law has a plaque that she made with a quote of President Hinckley that says, “In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” I find myself enduring rather than enjoying. I desire to change that. A few years ago I read Glimpses which is a book about Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I loved that book. I loved her. I wanted to be just like her. I was for awhile, but then I let life get the upper hand and I again just endured. How long will this current feeling last? I think I need to read Glimpses again, and possibly finish President Hinckley’s biography. Hopefully that will prolong the desire!
So here’s a picture of us watching the funeral:
I suggested to my family that even though we would be watching it at home, we should wear our Sunday dress and there was no argument. They all have a deep love and respect for him as well and had a desire to show their respect.After the funeral we took off to visit my brother and his family. They live “over the hill” (translated: over the mountain - the snowy, treacherous mountain).
The usually 2.5 hour drive took 5 hours (with a 45 minute stop at Cabela’s), but we enjoyed the time together, (me with my new found sense of happiness and everlasting patience) scrunched together in our large SUV with 4 wheel drive.
The reason for the trip was this:
My newest nephew. He was being blessed on Sunday. I am so proud of my brother. He has worked so hard to bring his life to this point where he is worthy to hold the Priesthood and bless his family with it.We enjoyed our stay very much. We played “Dice” and the longest game of “UNO” ever recorded, I’m sure! We ate lots of popcorn and Clarissa even shared her Reese’s PB Cups with us. That was an event in and of itself. She hoards those things like they were the last treat on earth! Thank you Clarissa!
On our way home we listened to the Super Bowl on the radio. It kept fuzzing in and out because of the mountain pass, but we got most of the highlights and especially the very best highlight of all…if you are a Giants fan, that is…the winning touchdown! Actually we are not Giant fans (actually I’m not a football fan; I like watching games live, but get too distracted watching it on TV), my husband is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. When he was a kid and started watching football he liked their colors best and has been a fan ever since. Well, Miami holds the record for having an undefeated season and then winning the Super Bowl, so you see, if the Patriots had won, his team wouldn’t hold the record any longer…
We decided after our trip that we like where we live because it doesn’t snow here. We don’t have to worry about slipping and falling, or sliding all over the road, or shoveling our sidewalk and driveway. If we want to play in the snow we can drive an hour where we can ski or snowmobile and then come home to a green lawn!
Yes, life is good and I’m ENJOYING it!