Tuesday with Kay

All about my wife and eternal companion, who is forever young.

As a little girl, Kay Hinckley loved to write books, draw pictures, and help her mother.  Being youngest of eight children gave her plenty of time to develop talents, share a room with dear sister Louise, and play with her best friend, neighbor Betsy Neslen.

As a young teenager, Kay served a three-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with her parents and sisters Louise (my age) and Susan.  The Alaskan Canadian Mission, at home in Vancouver BC, provided endless opportunities for Kay to share her talents, including talking to strangers, playing piano, and teaching the gospel.  She was well prepared for raising a family, teaching English at Northridge High, and serving twelve months with me in Detroit. 

Music Appreciation at the U of U brought us together on dates in October, 1970, leading to marriage in July, 1971.  Five children, their spouses and posterity are forever the love of Kay’s life.

The lessons we learn from my angel wife are eternal.  The love we all share feels sweet, bringing joy in times of tribulation.  As I often say, “Kay is not far away.”

(Thursday, October 11, 2018:)

Our Kay is probably busier than ever, basking in the love of family and friends who have passed on.  Her motivating, energizing feeling of love for people in mortality is likely boundless now.  She was uplifted and driven by it in Detroit, and now ... I imagine ... is feeling it on a higher level in her new assignment to help fellow spirits find happiness.

Wondering as I write ... does Kay have mixed emotions, missing those she left behind?  I believe so ...  We may find comfort in the thought, as we are warmed by memories of her love and smile.  We are not forgotten.

Going up or down?

The elevator here at our apartments begs the question.  Residents waiting by the dining room on the middle floor want the shortest ride possible — no round trip to the first or third floor, please.  “Going up or down?” makes sense.  So, everyone nicely asks and cooperates.  Patience prevails.

As a senior, living in the present while looking toward the end of this life, I often wonder if quality of life is going up or going down.  My energy level, memory, and patience with all kinds of people around me, to name just a few.  Is the English language improving or going downhill?  My incomplete sentences, for example.

These and other questions will weigh on my mind when I pass the second-floor elevator and run up the stairs.  Cheers for all who enjoy a short ride ... up or down.

This, that, and the other

This is the thing I want to point out: 

How can we all get along better in our community?  That is the question.  The other day I was pleased to see several neighbors invited into the middle of an activity that helped everyone get better acquainted.  Afterwards, we chatted about this and that.  I like to say that we are a “care center” in this city of Ogden, the other crossroads of the West.

This is also needed in government, that challenging arena where each side must work with the other for the good of our Republic.

It occurred to me the other week, that this idea is worth pursuing — more than a quick thought.

getting along at Ogden Botanical Gardens