Christmas Talents

A most wonderful time of the year!  I see and hear so much creativity in sharing talents, which are gifts from God.

25 young violinists entertained us older folks Monday night for our weekly “family home evening”.  So cute, beautiful, and handsome!  I felt sure my talented wife Kay, who led many young groups in singing and acting, was pleased with their sharing love through music.

The same lively group performed for us yesterday at lunch time in the Bountiful senior center.  The perfect mix of fun, nostalgic, and sacred songs made me smile and shed tears of love. 

I missed the “Jazzy Bells” performance in Ogden Saturday night, retired early, and listened to Handel’s Messiah, broadcast from New York City.  Amazing talent there!

A favorite actor, James Stewart, inspires our family every Christmas with It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas; (his talking to Baby Jesus in the stable always brings tears to my eyes).  I am in awe of such extraordinary gifts from Heavenly Father, whose Son made possible life everlasting for everyone on earth.  It is all about love.

Welcome Loneliness

In this Christmas season, there is so much that is welcome — music, lights, gifts, gatherings, food, and remembrance of our Savior’s birth, the reason our family celebrates.

“As an adjective, welcome means wanted, appreciated, or pleasing.”  For example, “You’re welcome.”  — Grammarly

Used as a verb in the imperative mood, I can say, “Welcome the blessing of solitude.”

In December 2019, Morgan Jones shared extraordinary insight in an article,“Receiving the Gift of Loneliness”.  She wrote, “For me, loneliness has actually been one of my greatest blessings because it has taught me to rely on God in a way I don’t know that I would’ve learned otherwise.”

Tuesday evening as I was reading alone, a sentence stopped me in Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand c.1957, p.29 (entrepreneur Hank Rearden walking home from work at night) “He never felt loneliness except when he was happy.”  I understood, though I’d never put my feeling into words like that.  I welcome loneliness especially at joyful times, knowing my sweetheart Kay is not far away, so we can share true happiness ... just the two of us.  I treasure that Christmas feeling.  It’s about love.

Ned & Kay Cannon Family

Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake

Slower Down South

Someone asked, “Can the slower pace we started last year be maintained? What did we gain by spending more time at home with family and close friends?”  Thanksgiving this year was slower for me with a trip to southern Utah I will never forget.  And no rush to finish the holiday dinner, lovingly prepared by our children.

Taking my time driving down to Kanab last week and back to Bountiful this week was my way of enjoying the scenery and history along Highway 89.  Spending time with family during five days at our daughter’s home was a dream come true, including three nights alone in a nearby hotel.

Small-town life in the West is refreshingly slow compared to New York City, which Kay & I enjoyed as tourists, and dear old Detroit, where we served a full-time mission.  We also treasure our visits to family in Arizona, comparable to Kanab.  I am grateful for blessings that accompany a slower pace in life ... with love.