Monday, April 26, 2010

The Power of A Wish


Ten years ago today a young boy's fondest wish was granted. Evan and his family were flown to New York City and he was able to make his national debut on the Today Show to help his favorite weatherman, Al Roker, forecast the weather. We also spent time touring the Empire State building, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and of course exploring Central Park. We eat at a different ethnic restaurant every night. New York City has some awesome restaurants. We have such fond memories of that wonderful experience. Evan's wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Those wonderful memories helped Evan through a very difficult surgical procedure. Today he is happy and healthy. We are so grateful for The Make-A-Wish Foundation.


The Today Show Cast was awesome.



Here we are inside the Empire State Building.



Evan and the Peacock

Sunday, April 18, 2010

One Hundred Years Ago Today...

my daddy was born. He was number eight out of eleven children in his family. My father was fun and he was honest. He has been gone for almost 30 years and I still miss him. I'm sad that he didn't get to know his grandchildren. I know he would have been a wonderful and loving grandfather.

I remember one time when I was a little girl, I think about four or five years old. I got lost in the grocery store, and I was so scared. I started calling out loudly for my Daddy. A nice lady helped me find my family. I was so happy to see my Dad. He hugged me and didn't get mad at me for getting myself lost. When we feel lost in life, parents are always the best people to turn to for help!



Can you see those smiling Irish eyes?

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today my mother turned ninety years old. I wish I could have been with her to celebrate. She lives far away in Seattle, so I don’t see her very often. I did however; see her a few weeks ago. I didn’t want to make that visit, but I am so glad I did. My last visit with my mom was not pleasant. You see my mom has dementia caused by sensory deprivation. Her eyes barely see and her ears barely hear. Sleep is a good way to avoid dealing with a world that is difficult to see and hear. And, that is what she likes to do the most. I was afraid if I visited her again, we would have a repeat of our last visit…she not only didn’t recognize me but didn’t even want to be bothered. It can be disheartening to say the least. However, when the Spirit speaks I try to listen, especially when the Spirit speaks in the Temple. So, with fear of rejection we went to visit with my mom in March.

I decided that I needed to wake up some Mom’s other senses, so I brought cucumber melon scented hand lotion, and I rubbed her hands. It’s amazing how something as simple as rubbing someone’s hands could turn into such a spiritual experience. But it did. As I rubbed those old, wrinkled hands my thoughts turned to all the things those hands had done for me through the years. As I continued to rub her hands my thoughts turned to the Saviors hands, pierced for me. Then my thoughts turned to “our” hands, and how we serve one another and then “our” hands become the Savior hands on earth. When I was done rubbing her hands, I gently brought them up to her nose. She then said, “So nice, thank you very much” in a very slow quiet voice. Then she kept bringing her own hands up to her nose and repeating “So nice, thank you very much”. It was so touching. I was so happy to be able to provide a simple little service for her that made her life happy. During our visit, she was mostly quiet, but she didn’t shoo me away. At one point I was just looking right into her face, with a big smile and she said, “What a beautiful smile!”. She never mentioned my name but I felt like those blind eyes were looking right into my soul. I hope she knows that it was me.
My desire is that my mom knows that I love her with all her heart. I’m so grateful for the life she gave me and for her love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

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