Aging Well

Last week I took a trip to St. George so I could visit my parents.  They decided to come to Utah for a visit with my dad’s brothers and I couldn’t pass up the chance to see them.

So, making a quick trip to the library to get a book on CD, I departed.  The drive was long but the book made the time pass a little quicker – although when it was done, I was very disappointed and determined to never read/listen to another John Grisham novel. I hate books where the bad guys win in the end.  So don’t waste your time on The Appeal!!!

So what do people in their 70’s like to do?  Take a look! (OK, some won't upload from my phone but I will try to get them in later.)

But we had a nice visit and I am grateful that I took the time to go down (except for the stupid book – did I mention that I hated it?)

On another day, a few weeks earlier, Teresa and I (with wonderful help from Kevin and Jenny) had one of our “Grandma’s Sleep Parties”.  That’s when all the grandkids who are available come over and ‘sleep’ at Grandma’s house and have fun together.  And Grandma always has something exciting for them to do.  Here are a few shots of the evening.

Old and young, we want to keep in touch.  Someday our roles will be reversed and if we haven’t done enough early, there won’t be anything to do later.  Just saying!!!

Head Scratcher

Here's a funny (ok, not so funny, actually just sad) example of how out of whack our society has become.

Two young men left a campfire burning and caused the largest fire in Arizona history.  They face prosecution on three counts for causing the burning of thousands of acres of forest land, with all its included wildlife, and destroying many homes.  The law says:

A conviction for each of the offenses charged in the complaint carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

In another case, a father killed a grizzly bear because he was afraid for the safety of his children and family.  Now he faces these penalties if convicted:

 

The charge of killing a threatened species is punishable by up to a year in prison, a maximum fine of $50,000, and up to one year of supervised release.

So, if my math is correct, it is pretty much equally adverse to society if you kill a ferocious grizzly bear that is attempting to eat your family or burn homes, trees, animals, and anything else in the way because you were too lazy to put out your fire.

Like I said, it really is sad and odd that we live in such a world.

DO YOU?

Yesterday, in our sacrament meeting, one of the speakers made a comment that touched a nerve.  It was one of those nerves that stays hidden until something really sharp gives it a poke (sort of like the funny-bone).

What he said was (paraphrasing):

“Parents need to make sure their children know what is important in their lives.  You can’t just assume they know you have a testimony – you have to tell them often and clearly what you know to be true.”

As I pondered that thought, I wondered if my children and grandchildren REALLY know what I believe.  It seems obvious (to me) that they would know that I have a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Christ.  It is, after all, my chosen profession to teach the truths of Christ as contained in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  But DO they really know???

I hope so!!

I wonder, too, if they know how much I love their mother/grandmother (in fact, I sometimes wonder if SHE knows).  It seems to me that I may not have been as demonstrative in my confessions to my posterity as would be appropriate.

And maybe, just as concerning, do my children (all five of you valiant souls) and my grandchildren (the 12.75 greatest little individuals on earth) realize just how much I adore the people you are and are becoming?

Well, to all of you mentioned above, I offer this two word expression of whether you are important or not.

You Are!!!

And if you ever wonder if I am a true follower of Christ (in my own weak way).

I am (not to be confused with I AM).

Maybe I can show these things better.  I hope so.  Thanks for listening.

No Wingeing

Whatever you read from this point forward (at least in this entry) is not a complaint.  I want that up front so no one thinks I am wingeing – Australian whining – about the events of life.

It’s beginning to look like there is an epidemic encroaching on our land.  Everywhere you go there are people who need to have their gallbladder taken out.  This week it was our little Jenny so we have had Tanner and Hayden with us for the past few days.  They are really fun (except Tanner likes to scream in the high-pitched, piercing way he does) and have been very little trouble.  Jenny is getting better and will probably be back to normal in a few more days.

BTW, she is a lot tougher than I would be.  Way to go Jen.

Hayden wrote his name on our board.

Josh went to China for a work ‘activity’ and has been gone for more than a week.  He Skype’s the kids every afternoon about 5:30 pm (7:30 am China time). They don’t last long but it is fun to see out his hotel window.

The Olympic Birdsnest -- China

The Forbidden City

How kids overcome the sadness of not having their parents around

Good ole Brian went to Boston earlier this week for a convention thingey.  He had to sit on a panel (boring) and schmooze with upitty-ups from around the country. He also discovered he didn’t like… well I don’t want to get him in trouble so I won’t say what he didn’t like.   His sweetheart wasn’t feeling well but her mom came out to help.

It’s girl’s camp season so Heather got to go out with the YW in her ward.  She seemed excited and I expect she is having a blast.  We have Matt and Emma to keep Tanner and Hayden company.  It has been very exciting come bath time.

This trumps Missy's picture of Ellie

Lastly, Missy is doing better and seems to be on the mend.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about then I didn’t say anything.

I guess this is just a normal week in the life old folk and their growing family. 

Sure beats the other option.

Broken

Wednesday night I was trying to get our trailer ready so Kevin and Jenny could have a weekend trip with their family.  There were a couple of things that needed to be attended to in order for the trailer to work well. 

Sort of looks like this one

Let me preface the next part by relating a story from my mission days.

When my Dad turned 40 (Sept. 1974) he sent me a letter commiserating on the ravages of age.  I was the ripe old age of 19 (soon to be 20) and fell into his trap.  At that time he was working as a machinist in the copper mill and he had experienced some setbacks in his physical health.  I don’t remember all the details but I think there was an arm that was hurt and something in one of his legs.  Anyway, he wrote something that has remained in my head all these years later.  As I have aged I have reviewed this sentence many times.  He said (paraphrasing):

I always heard that when you turn 40 your body begins to fall apart – but I had no idea they meant it happened all at once.

I chuckled and put it away, waiting to see if the same thing happened when I got to that point in life.  Thankfully, my work career has not been as physically taxing as Dad’s and I escaped pretty much unscathed.

Now back to last Wednesday.

As I entered the trailer for one of my trips to fix something, I had one of those “slow down time and watch things happen” experiences.  My right foot went to the step that enters the trailer but as I put weight down, my purchase on the step faltered (here’s the slow part).  I remember thinking, “That’s alright, I will catch my balance and things will be just fine.”  NOT!!!  To my complete and extremely painful surprise not only did my foot continue slipping down to the ground, but my leg, from ankle to knee, felt this scraping sensation across the front that instantly brought intense pain.  To make matters worse, I forgot to put my hands down to catch myself and so I landed face first on the floor of the trailer, bending my glasses and causing what little sense I had to flee for safety.

My sweetheart, hearing a loud thump from the direction of her faithful spouse, called out to see if all was well in Zion.

My reply was AGHHHEEEIEEIOOOOWWWEEE (thankfully there are no more swear words in my head).

Guess what story flashed into my mind as a picked myself up  and began to assess the damages.  As I licked (figuratively) my wounds I was brought to remember the words of a wise father from so many years before.  

Though I avoided the curse at 40, it seems the curse is still intact in the family and hit me at 56.  You see, this isn’t the first incident – and I suppose it won’t be the last.  I so was hoping I could avoid any major altercations with my body until after retirement so I could enjoy my later years.

 

For your viewing pleasure, I have included a picture of the damage – this is actually a few days later but it is more exciting and colorful than immediately after.  

Purple, red, yellow, and other interesting, not supposed to be there colors.

Sorry for the pasty white skin but……….. well, just sorry.