Silly Dreams

Last Thursday evening it was hot and humid in Missouri.  I was having trouble sleeping.  Early in the morning I fell into a fitful slumber and started to dream. 

I dreamt that for some reason, I had left these three behind and was trying desperately to find them and tell them that I hadn't given them away!  It was horrible!  I woke up and had my pajamas on inside out!

Just remember that I love you!

Mom

To Janet

Dear Janet,


I came home the other evening to a quiet empty house.  I was filled with memories of coming home to family busyness and you in the kitchen fixing dinner.  Kevin or Kelly would be setting the table and we would be getting ready for the "Best, Worst, Service" ritual. 


I just wanted you to know that we appreciated your efforts so very much.  I miss green beans, brown rice and chicken.  I miss you everytime I eat a mollasses spice cookie or make your black bean soup.  I miss your homemade bread and fingerprints on the windows.  I miss bath time and baby kisses.


I know that you are enduring Heavenly Father's Real Life University and that your are worried and concerned about making your best contribution to your family's finances and well being.   I would not take that away from you as it will give you richness in overcoming and succeeding.  (Yes, you will succeed.)  I will not give you advice or tell you to make a particular choice one way or another.  That is not my place. 


I would just remind you that you are not unknown to your Father in Heaven.  He hears your prayers and knows your heart.  Here are some words from 3 Nephi 13 that may bring you comfort.


25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than draiment?



26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?


27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?


28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;


29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.


30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.


31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?


32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.


33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.


34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. ....

Love,


Mom

The following is the philosphy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to acutally answer the questions. Just read the story and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Pageant
4. Name the ten people who have wont the Nobel or Pulitzer Pize.
5. Names the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. The are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Acheivements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

1. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
2. Name five people who taught you something worthwhile.
3. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
4. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the onew with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.


I love you all so much! I know that you sometimes feel like you don't really make a difference or that you don't have enough_______ (fill in the blank). But you do! Keep striving. Keep believing. Keep loving and facing each day with hope. The blessings will come. Thomas S. Monson said: "The future is as bright as your faith." Ensign, May 2009.

Love,

Mom

PS--Those are NOT false eyelashes. If you find them, will you give them back to me? Please?

So, about the picture. It was taken in the fall of 1971. It was the Military Ball--a formal dance and a BIG to do! I was excited. I got to go to the beauty parlor (not called that anymore) and have my hair done. Hence the big hair. We had dinner with some friends and then went to the dance. Imagine a kind of grown up prom. In fact, the dress I'm wearing was my Sr. prom gown. Yep! Even after my first baby I still looked slim! Check out the collar bones!

The picture is taken at the Reese Homestead. Grandma and Grandpa Reese baby sat Dianne for us. We were young, hopeful and excited about the future. Confident in each other and goodness life would bring.

The only sad part of the evening was the prostesters who were rather rudely and vocally protesting the Vietnam War. Many of our friends were slated to serve there and it was hard for me to understand why they would be so angry at the people who were actually going to risk their lives there. There was a lot of shouting and egg throwing which was really scary to me. But I felt safe with your Dad. He was so cute! To me he was everything I ever wanted.

Love you all!

Mom

I kiss you and kiss you,
with arms round my own,
Ah, how shall I miss you,
when, dear you have grown.

William Butler Yeats

And so it begins--writing down the thoughts I would send to my kids if I could speak to them.