"Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life." Billy Graham

"Whenever a man's friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old." Victor Hugo.

Friday morning I had a conversation with a man who is just a little younger than me. We were helping to set up to serve breakfast for some of the youth here in Montrose who attend early morning Seminary (religious study) before high school begins. The conversation was (in that moment) focused on the very young looking boys and girls who were in attendance. Neither of us believing that any of them were in high school or even old enough to drive a car so they could get to high school. We spoke of doing double takes when we see some of these kids driving or involved in other activities that seem beyond how old they appear. It occurred to me then that older folks don't seem all that old any longer either, though I didn't express the thought in our conversation.

About 8 o'clock last night as I was headed back to work to meet a customer (as arranged earlier in the day) I had to exert nearly Herculean effort to drag my backside out the door to go meet them and contract a deal. What the heck happened (and when)? I remember nights not that many years ago when Mom had to turn off the back porch light, at 10 o'clock, to get us to end the basketball game we were playing in the backyard. If she didn't neither my parents nor the parents of my friends who lived in the neighborhood, and who were involved in the game, would be able to get any rest. Just those few years ago I could have played well into the night and still gotten enough sleep to arise early and return to work with all the energy and vigor needed (with some to spare).

As British author Ruth Rendell put it, "I wouldn't be young again even if it were possible, but I'm not going to pretend that growing old is all sweetness and light."

This year has really been an eye opener for me (just turned 56). I don't even remember all the aches and issues that sent me to the doctor(s) this year. I was stunned, though, when I went to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy a few weeks ago and was told that there was no charge because I had satisfied my annual out of pocket expense for the year. I knew that the budget had taken quite a hit this year due to CT scans, MRI, and a myriad of other medically necessary tests, prods, and pokes. I told a co-worker recently that if anything is going to happen to me for the next five years I wanted it all before the end of this year so we could be done with it. I really don't want that. Though I hope this is it for some time to come.

There are things I enjoy immensely about growing old though. My relationship with my sweetheart has never been stronger. Shared trials and joys bring a man and a woman closer together in very interesting ways. Some might look at the outwardly distant appearing relationship that we have and not notice those moments of public intimacy that indicate otherwise. The touch of a hand, the look of pride for a job well done. The bag lunch provided when she knows I will have a long day of meetings on a Sunday afternoon. There are others but I won't enumerate because they are intended to be private even though public. Things that mean a great deal to us because of our history that don't mean much to anyone else.

"We mustn't be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good." (Joanna Lumley)

There are days when I wish for the vigorous strength of youth. There are days when I long for the return of that feeling of immortality that we all feel when we are young. Not today though. Today I am grateful for the experiences that have been my life. The sum may not add up to much. But it does add up to who I have become thus far. My hope is for many more opportunities to gain experience and become more than I am today.

I hope the same for all my friends.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.

 

For me the best day of the week is Sunday.

I look forward to next Sunday as soon as I arise from my bed on Monday morning. It is, for me, the best part of each week. I'm not a huge sports fan - so the NFL doesn't factor in to the enjoyment of the day. It is a day off from work, though I enjoy what I do and where I work, so somewhat of a factor but not a major reason that contributes to the beauty of the day. It is, quite often, a day when we gather family together to break bread and spend time together but the family has scattered across the United States so that isn't always a factor. What I look forward to the most is the opportunity to be fed spiritually.

I don't want anyone to misunderstand here. I am up and in my scriptures every day by about 5:10 am. Currently I am reading in the Book of Mormon and the New Testament. I read and ponder over at least a chapter or two in each, every morning, with an occasional cross reference search when something really catches my attention. I also spend some time with the book written by Tad R. Callister titled "The Infinite Atonement" followed by a few minutes of prayerful preparation for the day ahead. You might think that this would be enough to keep my spiritual batteries charged - and it is - but what gives me the spiritual lift that gets me through the most trying days is received each Sunday as I participate in the leadership and regular meetings that are held on this day.

My workday during the week begins like many of you at 8:00 am and ends at 5:30 pm. There is a lot of activity during these days and I am usually ready for the end when it arrives. My Sunday schedule this year begins with a meeting at 8:30 am and often does not end until about 4:00 pm. On occasion there are additional meetings later in the day but they are usually ended by 8:00 pm and I am home and done. The workday wears out my body, mind, and even spirit. The Sabbath day wears out my body, but re-charges my mind and spirit. It is that spiritual rejuvenation that makes Sunday a day to look forward to with anticipation. 

I have had many opportunities (callings) to serve in the church that have given me wonderful experiences. Relationships with friends and acquaintances have been developed and strengthened as we have interacted in church meetings, when we have served side by side, and as we have had occasion to teach one another gospel truths. My current opportunity (calling) to serve has helped me learn just how much our Father in Heaven loves His children. As I meet with members of the church each Sunday the feeling of His love seems to be manifest in very real ways. Often as I meet with members I hear my voice utter words of comfort, instruction, and counsel that I know did not come from my thoughts or experience but are a manifestation of a loving Father's concern for one of His children. 

I had the opportunity, recently, to sit with a family in our Ward who were meeting with me to declare their faithfulness through obedience to the law of tithing. As we were ready to conclude I asked if there is anything any of the family have always wanted to ask their Bishop but never had the chance? They all said no, but then one of the young children said he had a question and asked "Is it hard to be the Bishop?" My answer was simple. I told them (him) that no it isn't hard to be a Bishop. I explained that there are some days when it is very difficult for a Bishop to see the struggle that some go through, but that the good things that a Bishop sees and does far outweigh the difficult. 

Moments like this one make it worth it to serve, and contribute to the reasons why, for me, Sunday is the best day of the week.  

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.

I feel like writing something today. So I will.

As you can tell there are weeks and even months when I don't post anything here and then there are weeks when I just feel like writing. This is one of those, apparently.

The big 30th birthday celebration for Holly is today (tonight at 7:00) somewhere in Utah County. Cindy will be there (is there) for the gathering. Eric (Holly's spouse) was trying to plan this without her knowledge. Planning a surprise party in this family is impossible. Someone always forgets and says, or writes, something at the wrong time and the beans are spilled. Holly handed me a physical invitation to the celebration so I know she is in on it. My second middle child is turning Thirty years old in a few days. Amazing how quickly time flies. I remember the snowy wind blown day when she was born. She was about 2-3 weeks overdue and we were headed to St. Anthony's North Hospital for medical intervention to get things moving. Cindy was hooked up to that IV for most of the day with not much happening. The doctor checked in on her after his office closed for the day and they decided to give it a little more time before sending us home. Not too long after he left things quickly progressed - he rushed back in and she arrived. Number 4 of the Cindy and Mike hit parade. December 9th is the actual date. I have 6 favorite children - she is among them.

We had our Mount Sneffels Ward Christmas Party last night. A very pleasant evening with friends and family. Great food, a very enjoyable program, with a gentle reminder of why this celebration is so important. The women who organized the party decided that there would not be any Santa Claus for this gathering. Just an expression of why. It was great. Each organization in the Ward had a role to play to prepare for the evening and all did an outstanding job of filling assignments and making the evening enjoyable. What a great group of people we have the opportunity to associate with.

Yesterday morning, as Cindy was getting everything packed so she could hit the road after work, I could see the look of distress in the eyes of our dogs. They don't like suitcases and when they come out there is a degree of stress associated that I find interesting to view. It is greatest when the suitcase is on her side of the bed. She takes care of them, they are bonded with her much more than me. I'm not even sure they consider me an adequate substitute. I leave them outside longer than she does. I only feed them dog food without any supplemental juices or other additions that give more flavor. She doesn't always baby them either, but, is more likely to give them a little extra treat on occasion. If we are both home, and they are inside, they will move around the house on her heels and around her feet no matter where she goes. I find it amusing the grudging looks I get from both when I call them as they are headed after her down the hall. They will come back to me but upon receipt of some loving they immediately head back down the hallway to find her.

When she is out of town I feel the same way. I don't know about anyone else but this fellow was not meant to be alone in this world. Thankfully she found my heart and pierced it in a way I never imagined possible. Hurry home!

I don't have any expertise in the area of law, law enforcement, or government so I am reluctant to share my thoughts here regarding any of the things that weigh heavy on my heart (and yours I suspect) this week. Dreadful things happening in this world and nation right now. Our political leaders becoming more polarized than ever before in my lifetime. I'm not sure if its that some just don't want to acknowledge reality, or if they think that by espousing an opposing perspective that reality will change. Everything that happens shouldn't be political. Yet, it seems that everything is being portrayed as such. The preamble to the Constution of the United States of America says;

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 

It seems to this observer that we are losing sight of that perfect Union that the founders of this once great nation envisioned. My fear is that we will continue down the road we are on and we will lose any opportunity for justice, domestic tranquility, and the blessings of liberty.

Friends, there is a way for each of us to make an impact in this process. That is to get involved. Work locally in hopes of influencing our elected leaders to remember the important values that we once all believed in. Find a candidate or a cause you can get behind and go to work. We cannot continue to sit idly by while others work to destroy what we hold dear. Most of us are comfortable. Some are in harms way (both here and abroad). We all need to become active in preserving our freedoms and opportunities before they are lost. We cannot leave it to the professional politicians any longer.

I just stepped off my soapbox.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.

"On the other hand, you have different fingers." Steven Wright

"Is it weird in here, or is it just me?" Steven Wright.

This will be one of those random thoughts posts that pop up from time to time. Fair warning has been given.

Last night my sweetheart (Cindy) and I took the opportunity to go and view the final installment of the Hunger Games. I thought it was done well even with some things quickly introduced early and left in the rear-view mirror far too soon. I get it (I think). There is story information that is important that can be introduced without depth but the transitions between them early on left me wanting more. Overall, though, an enjoyable evening out. About an hour into the film my wife's phone started to vibrate again and again and again so I was hoping that no one in the extended family had been injured or become ill. Finally someone sent me a text message asking where their Mother was because they had scheduled their monthly book club chat for last night and they were waiting for her to join the call. Hilarious! I almost laughed out loud when reading the message (Cindy picked the book). She was also amused when I showed it to her. And don't worry there wasn't anyone sitting anywhere near us so we didn't disturb the audience.

At my place of employment we have a gift exchange each year as part of the Christmas party. Last year the owner decided to have everyone bring something that we imagined that the person whose name we drew from a hat would want as a child. After the party these items are donated to a local program that provides gifts and other holiday cheer to needy families in the community. What a great idea. I hope others will do the same. The group we are donating to this year is helping families that will have no Christmas without some help. They bring it all - food, tree, decorations, and gifts. I may have to look into helping deliver to some of these homes. We'll see if it can be worked in to the schedule.

Thanksgiving has become my second favorite holiday behind Labor Day. When our family was young we decided that it would be easier for us to travel to visit grandparents and extended members of the family. Then we would stay home for Christmas. Now that the children and grandchildren are scattered around the country a bit we will travel to them for Thanksgiving. We always have multiple of our offspring in attendance whether we are at our house, in the Denver, CO area, or in the Provo, UT area. So far we have not made it to Nashville for this holiday but maybe we can begin planning for a coming year. It is those children and grandchildren that make it such an event for me. This year we had everyone at our home (except the Nashville crew) and it was a very busy time. 5 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, and their parents made for a lot of running and jumping and squealing and other forms of merriment that make me smile just writing about it. A good time was had by all.

We will be joining the Utah kids for Christmas and then Cindy will be flying to Nashville, TN out of Salt Lake City while I return home for work. Another grandchild on the way so Cindy will be there for the arrival (we hope) and to get acquainted for a day or two before returning home. The dogs and I will survive with her out of town, though, I will be accused (by the dogs) of forcing her to desert them. Upon her return all will be forgiven and I will be relegated to second class citizen again.

 

So true.

I warned you at the beginning. Random thoughts today.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.