Shared Space

Noted while riding the TRAX train in Salt Lake City on our anniversary: Recording reminds passengers, “Be considerate of others. Remember, this is a shared space.”  (Next reminder:) “Please hold on.”

My thought I wrote at the time: The Earth is a shared space, as are our country, state, city, and home.  And we certainly need to hold on ... through rough rides ahead.  Recall an old saying, “Hang on for dear life!”

So, how do consideration and “shared space” relate?  What do they imply?  If fellow passengers think their music delights others around them ... or if someone believes his normally loud talking is naturally blocked/ignored by neighbors, what do they take from that reminder?  Fortunately, other UTA (FrontRunner, TRAX, and bus) announcements instruct, “Headphones are required” and, “Keep conversations low.”
I like to think most people care ... if they’re aware.

(Rhetorical question:) In a shared space, how much consideration should go without reminding?

Aware of my sensitive hearing inherited from my mother, Kay was considerate in our shared spaces at home, in church, and in her cute car — heavenly, as I recall (and miss her sweet voice).  I’m grateful for the majority who are consistently considerate of others, and I am thankful for good neighbors.
After all, “it’s a small, small world ...”

 going to share FrontRunner space in Orem, 5 Sep 2015

Pioneers Close to My Heart

This could be a longer list, but in the spirit of Ogden Pioneer Days, I will make it fast and keep it simple.  The 24th is a fun, inspiring holiday here in Utah, commemorating the arrival of the first group of pioneers in 1847.  So, statewide it’s called “Days of ‘47” — a tradition of parades, rodeos, and fireworks.

Brigham Young, their fearless leader and great settlement planner of the West

“Brigham headed the vanguard company of 1847, but then after only staying in the valley for a short time, he returned to Winter Quarters and returned the next year with another large company containing most of his family.”

history.churchofjesuschrist.org

Charles C. Rich, an Apostle and a leader in the second group

George Q. Cannon and his siblings also came across the plains in the second group, arriving the first of October.  ( I need to review that history.)

“On August 26, 1860, at age 33, George Q. Cannon was ordained an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thirteen years later, he was called as an additional counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young. He continued his service in this calling and was a loyal and trusted counselor to Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow.”

history.churchofjesuschrist.org

John Taylor, George Q’s uncle who taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Cannon Family in Liverpool, England, 1840

Ira Nathaniel Hinckley, called by President Brigham Young in April 1867, to build strategic Cove Fort at Cove Creek, central Utah

My family and I are grateful for our pioneer heritage.  We honor the women, men, and children who endured the trek west “with faith in every footstep”.

Cove Fort Days sesquicentennial, 5 August 2017

Mission Release

As I have said on many occasions, our original release date for our 23-month assignment was July 13, 2019.  We had planned to visit Kirtland Ohio on the way “home”, and arrive in Utah July 17th or later.  Sister Cannon & I left the Michigan Detroit Mission August 12th to receive treatment for her stage-4 pancreatic cancer — a surprise several days earlier.  We were honorably released August 15th by our stake president in Farr West, Utah.

Having sold our home to serve a mission, being homeless without property to concern us was a blessing during and after our 12 months in Metro Detroit.  A miraculous three-month lease provided the perfect “dream cottage” for Kay in east Ogden, September through November.  Filled with love, it was an adorable gathering place for family and friends.

Four years younger than I, our Kay passed away October 6th ... to her new mission assignment (as I see it).  I know my forever companion is eagerly engaged in the Gathering ... “on the other side” (in Paradise), with her special kind of love.  She is an amazing missionary!  As I said last May, Kay continues to be a strong, loving influence for our posterity, dear friends, and me.  We have not lost her.

Expecting to finally feel released after July 13th, I marked my calendar months ago for a kind of “homecoming” celebration.  It turned out to be nice and low-key: meeting with an old friend and business associate who works for FedEx, and writing personal history on my blog.  Fun family activities earlier that week were naturally part of our mission-end observance.  Our children and I surely felt Mom was aware of it all ... with her loving smile.

Nevertheless, I will continue to study and share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It goes on — feeling joy together in the work ... forever with love

Detroit Riverwalk – rest stop for Sister Cannon

with a view of her beloved Canada, 28 May 2018

our Utah "dream cottage" home, 11 October 2018
(a peaceful rest stop before going on to new assignments)

Linger Longer, and Learn

In Ogden and other places Kay & I have experienced, there is a fun activity called “linger-longer”.  Usually for young single adults, it also works for seniors like me; (it helps to have a companion like my young wife Kay).  People actually get acquainted and learn each other’s names and stories while eating (what I call) fast food.  Sometimes simple as Farr Better Ice Cream after temple visits (especially popular with the youth).

I speak from firsthand experience, since we two were in charge of Ogden Third Ward (local congregation) activities around 12 years ago.  It worked then for all ages after Sunday meetings, and it works now, following our Monday “family home evening” discussions with mostly older neighbors studying the ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament.  Last year for our Roseville Ward in Michigan, Sister Cannon started a monthly, Sunday linger-longer called “home evening” for older single adults.  First, we had a gospel lesson, then food contributed by group members.  Another success and precious memory of the Spirit we felt with friends there.

Linger-longers typically follow a serious church meeting, like one we attended in the local SLC Jewish synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami.  A guest expert spoke about the Dead Sea Scrolls (fascinating).  The food and friendshipping afterward were also unforgettable, as I recall from three decades ago.  (No “senior moment” on that one.)

What did you learn the last time you lingered after church, a prayer, family reunion, party, recital, picnic, stroll into a cemetery, hike to a mountain top, walk to a beach, or breakfast with a dear friend?
I’m just saying ... you can learn a lot when yur not in a rush.

two, so in love, lingering longer at Antelope Island

Great Salt Lake, Utah

Sister Cannon contributing her special almond cake
for a linger-longer in Roseville, Michigan

Anniversary Special

Going down memory lane while riding FrontRunner, I began our special day early as planned.  It was my way to not only endure, but to enjoy a long trip from Ogden to historic downtown Salt Lake City.  Celebrating our wedding anniversary with joy yesterday, I was blessed to be at Temple Square and surrounding attractions (for lack of a better word).

At the ranch on the Fourth, our dear friend from Michigan invited me to a college devotional in the Assembly Hall where she would perform the special music, “Love at Home”.  I accepted and later realized it was the perfect opportunity to be near the Salt Lake Temple, where Kay & I were married.

Walking from the train, I stopped at the Family History Library, where I learned more about their services and found my ancestors’ books in the online catalog.  (The awesome Church Museum next door waited til the end of the day tour, as a last-minute “icing on the cake” before returning to the train station.)

Despite being “alone” as others saw me in the crowd, I certainly did not feel so.  As I walked around the temple and sat in the Assembly Hall, special memories of Kay, her father, and my grandmother brought me joy.  The devotional music and talk were uplifting – just what I needed to hear that day.  I look forward to our 50th anniversary in a few years, which traditionally is the big one!

This fast account cannot convey the details I could share, but I should mention the fun tour of Ogden Union Station with our family from Georgia, followed by a picnic dinner with family from Arizona at our daughter’s in Farr West — (whew!)  The day was more joyful than anyone would imagine (except my fun-loving sweetheart, of course).

Kay & I are blessed to be together forever, and my love for her grows stronger.  With gratitude to Heavenly Father and the Savior, we know life is good.  Keep the faith ... and keep smiling.  Cheers!

Salt Lake Temple, 9 July 2019

Assembly Hall at Temple Square

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ned & Kay at Thanksgiving Point, 2012
Lehi, Utah (including Museum of Ancient Life)

Recalling RootsTech 2019

Looking forward to our weekly family history workshop today, I thought of my experience at RootsTech this year.  (Kay & I missed it last year while in Michigan.)  Gets better every year!

It’s so easy — here’s a good way to watch, if you can copy & paste this URL to your Internet browser:

https://www.rootstech.org/category/2019-keynotes-general-sessions

Favorite Freedoms

On this Independence Day, here are some of my favorite freedoms:

Religious
Economic
Speech
Voting
Education
Self-defense
Literature and music
Some privacy
Mobility
Access to the world via the Internet

We are truly blessed to live in this great nation.
God bless America!