Rare Conversation

Neighbors here were actually talking to each other, including strangers, without watching phones or the big-screen TV!  I have seen this happen before, but it is now rare.

As I recall, it was in Baker City Oregon a few years ago where Kay and I ate breakfast near four older farmer buddies, one on each side of a table, having a good time silently focusing on their phones.  It seemed they had met regularly enough so there was nothing new under the sun to share, except what might show up by phone.  I failed to realize they were probably helping each other research innovative methods of farming.

My monthly “party” in our spacious social room last night was a success.  People had prepared and contributed wonderful food without assignments (potluck: “... a chance that whatever is available will prove to be good or acceptable.” — Google)  We had fun conversation and got better acquainted without TV.  A few family photos and stories were shared.

Here in Ogden Utah there is always something “new under the sun”.  Love it.
Enough said.

Reunions on Both Sides

What is your feeling about it?  Planning for reunions coming up with family and friends?  How far would you go to get together, hoping to see some ... and preferring not to see certain others?

I look forward to a funeral service this morning to celebrate the life of our dear friend and former neighbor, Don Zarkou (87).  It will be a reunion for his family and our East Mill Creek friends, some of whom attended my wife Kay’s funeral after 23 years of our being away.  We believe there are joyful reunions on the other side as well — in paradise, “a condition of happiness and peace” in the “postmortal spirit world”.
— ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Next “weekend” (Friday through Monday for some), Memorial Day will involve more reunions, cemetery markers, stories, and memories.  We all share sadness, love, and joy at those get-togethers.  Summer reunions are also a family tradition — for fun!  Enjoy family on both sides.  Know and remember Heavenly Father’s plan ... made possible by our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am grateful ... with love.

Grandma Kay and Memories

A special day of remembrance ... this Sabbath day, I cherish my knowledge of and love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His mother, Mary.  On this Mother’s Day, I recall sweet images of two great-grandmothers I knew as a little boy, and sweet memories of two grandmothers I look up to as examples of true saints for their posterity.  My mother and Kay’s mother continue to influence me for good ... more than I can ever describe in words — I love them so!

Dear to my heart are loving memories of my forever sweetheart Kay, mother of our five children.  She continues to influence us all with her special kind of love and devoted service to those around her.  Throughout many hours of collecting and sharing her history, I have experienced endless gratitude ... with tears of love.

Our five children and their spouses continue to show love for Kay.  Our 23 grandchildren all adore their Grandma Kay, who passed away last October.  I pray for them to be inspired and comforted in the knowledge that she loves them and is keenly interested in their activities.  Grandma Kay will always hold a special place in their heart.  We miss her smiles and hugs, singing and piano playing, games and good cooking, planning for trips and get-togethers, teaching and testimony sharing.  It goes on forever ... with love.

Grandma Kay giving her game instructions
in our "frontier home", Layton Utah

grandchildren hiking in Prescott National Forest
enjoying nature with Kay, 1 August 2017

Kay helping a sister prepare weekly "soup & bread"
activity for Roseville Ward (Michigan), 1 May 2018

Conference Journals

The May issue of the Ensign arrived yesterday with messages from the April 2019 General Conference.  (Friends and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered “to receive guidance and encouragement from Church leaders ...”)

I got into the magazine by looking at all the pictures, front to back — mainly people of all ages attending the meetings in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It’s inspiring to see true joy in the faces of families and individuals ... with love.

“All sessions ... streamed live on the home page of ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Sessions ... [were] also available via the Church satellite system, Mormon Channel, radio, television, satellite, and other digital channels.”


[Copied from my 2018 journal in iPhone Notes:]

(Sunday 10/7/5:35am I woke and wrote to share:)

“Good Sabbath Day — a special day!  Watched the first three sessions of General Conference yesterday.  I love the focus on family.  Kay and I are together all the way with that!
‘There is no end ...’ “

On our mission in Roseville MI, Sister Kay Cannon wrote in her 2018 calendar journal about conference:

March 31, “Priesthood [session] — historic announcement about high priests joining elders quorum.”

Sunday April 1, after a.m. session at church, “potluck buffet lunch — I brought 7-layer dip & chips — clean up; p.m. session: Announced retirement of HT & VT ! [home teaching and visiting teaching] and seven new temples.”

(A reminder to keep a journal ... including memories that can be shared ... with love.)