Avoiding FH Anxiety

So much family history (FH) to process ... so little time for doing it!  (This is not about familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder commonly referred to as FH, which causes anxiety relating to heart attack.)

My wife Kay & I married 50 years ago, and we both have rich personal & family histories preceding that forever-blessed event.  “What we build is bigger than the sum of two.”  — Kings of Convenience duo, Declaration of Dependence album, 2009.

In somewhat-organized ways, we individually collected precious FH treasures without a coordinated plan for managing them at the end of mortal life.  However, frequent moves to smaller homes helped us give away tons of things and avoid some senior anxiety.

Last April, I moved to Bountiful Utah to “take care of family projects”.  While Kay is engaged in timeless work on the other side, my 12-month stay here is going so quickly, I feel anxious about my daily process.  (Reminder to self: I am eagerly engaged in a good cause.)  Fortunately, I find joy in rediscovering and sharing, especially FH about my sweetheart and our five children.  It really is about love!

Making Me Smile Too

This year’s happy holidays are turning out to be ______; (fill in the blank).  Yes, and a “Happy Holidays” greeting always makes me smile, as this is a special time for our family, friends, and “communities of interest”. 

Renewing my driver license online for Thanksgiving travel, surprisingly valid for eight years, required a “vision statement” (current eyesight, not “where do you see yourself in five years?”)  I smiled three times — just when I thought the process was too easy.  Well, it worked out; the online form printed for 5 cents at the library, and my optician was so nice.  He asked me, “Do you wake up in the middle of the night?”  “Yes, to go ...”  (We both smiled.)  “It’s because of dry eyes,” he informed me.  (Wow — why did I not learn that in my health class at East High?)  So, he showed me two products, and naturally I took a photo to remind me; (would other customers be that quick-thinking?)

Yesterday our health-savvy daughter in the far West helped me get out early for a cool walk around Smith Family Park, as it was too cold for mountain climbing.  She always makes me smile, as did the ducks happily swimming together in the lake — about time to “fly south for the winter,” she explained.  Then we did our Christmas shopping across the street — never too early, I decided last summer.  Thinking about our five children and 23 grandchildren always makes me smile.

My sweetheart Kay & I are so grateful for the goodness of God in our life.

Halloween without masks

Remember the good old days when Halloween was safer without masks?  (Some venues prohibited mask-wearing, like banks with surveillance cameras.)  Anyway, our children made their own choice for safe trick-or-treating, depending on their favorite character.  Of course, Kay & I recommended warm clothing for a cold “meet-our-neighbors” night out.  And they knew Dad would expect a share of the goodies afterward.

Fun memories for our family, thank goodness. 

our Three Amigos on frontier

Making Me Smile

This month starts “the holidays”.  After an early-morning, preparatory de-junking session, I need to recall what makes me smile.  At my age, life seems too short.

Seeing the parking entrance sign at our Bountiful apartments yesterday, I smiled at the blacked-out “No Pets” above “No Smoking”, “No Soliciting”.  No surprise with a new owner riding the wave, as in Ogden.  (My wife Kay must be impressed with my keen observation.)  I understand and chuckle at the thought of dogs and cats enjoying the holidays in our senior community.  There is no fast way to explain why ...

For some strange reason, I’ve been Christmas shopping instead of waiting til the last minute.  Last month I was delighted by a fellow playing Christmas music as a piano warm-up for a church meeting.  Yes, I’m getting excited for our ward Trunk-or-Treat activity for kids, and making detailed plans for a different Thanksgiving to include my kick scooter.  This is not like me to have fun early in the game, so I smile at the paradigm shift ... maybe because this life is short.  My conclusion: don’t worry — be happy!

A time for peace, too

Recalling my shared thought with Kay, posted 10/10/2020, I feel it applies even more today, well into our 51st year of marriage:

Surely “there is a season ...”

My sweetheart Kay helps me keep an eternal perspective and feel at peace.  Our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost give us peace when we are accepting.  I often feel it deeply, so I know it is true.

What more can I say?  It’s about love

“... and a time of peace.”  

(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8)

Ogden Utah Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Simple Saturday

A day of perfect fall weather in Bountiful began Saturday with a wake-up call from an old Utah friend visiting Florida.  He patiently waited until 7 Eastern (5 my time) to simply report his safe arrival Friday in Orlando, a week before his wedding.  Next thing, I got to help clean the church meetinghouse, nearly next door — a simple service opportunity which is more social fun than it is work.

I returned home in time for the morning session of semiannual General Conference, broadcast worldwide by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Thus began two days of inspired talks by loving leaders, teaching simple gospel truths.  In between sessions was the amazing World Report of life-changing and groundbreaking work.

Being close to our new Veterans Park, I simply rode my kick scooter to the quiet spot for fresh air and a little photography.  Leaves are turning colors as cool weather prevails.  Living by our favorite pizza place (headquartered in Detroit where Kay & I served a mission), I was tempted to spend $6 there.  Luckily, I found a can of hearty soup which I quickly heated (my fast food) before watching the 6pm session on my little iPhone — so simple.

Life is good ... with love.

Pocket Guide to ...

What do you want to know?  There seems to be a pocket guide for everything under the sun.  With the astronomical end of summer coming tomorrow 9/22 at 3:21 PM Eastern, most folks are already back to school and work.  So, the one I wanted was available at the public library in Children’s Non-fiction: Pocket Guide to the Outdoors by Jean Craighead George, published in 2009.  “How to: build a shelter, start a fire, catch a fish ... navigate by the stars ... and much more.”

“pocket guide: A concise manual or reference book providing specific information or instruction about a subject or place.”

— thefreedictionary.com

A recent survey showed 41% of people in our country could not name the three branches of US Government.  Surely there is a pocket guide for that — quick reference in case of another civil survey.  In reality, YouTube has replaced print with video guides to most everything — taught me how to transplant a shrub and turn off emoji keyboard on iPhone.  Amazing how life is simplified now.