Photo Thanks

Sometimes a simple photograph says it, especially for the person capturing a meaningful moment.  Gratitude for beauty of God’s creation, for example.  Flags flying on the Fourth of July.  Joyful weddings — portraits of eternal love.  A precious, newborn daughter or son.  Family funeral photos preserving good grief with gratitude for the gifts of life and resurrection.  Priceless!

Just a Minute

Someone’s watching out for me, occasionally reminding me to breathe for one minute.  I see it on my watch, which helps me think clearly and live longer.

Give me a minute to finish my story.  Here at the apartments, a walk to the fitness center, dining room, or theater takes just a minute — same for a run to the hospital next door.  However, slowing down to think ahead for a minute has often saved me time and trouble.  (Last year my older neighbor rushed to catch a waiting ride, fell flat on the floor, and broke six ribs.)

I just wish some people would let me talk for half a minute while they take a breath before finishing their stories.  Nevertheless, I want to be a good listener.  Let me know if this one took more than 30 seconds to read.  Thanks for your time.

Intentional Vacation

The Hinckley cousins’ trip to Disneyland was deliberately planned as an adventure the young kids would never forget.  Very intentional parenting, as we call it today.  The trip was consciously funded by a family collating project, which included young people ( I won’t say “child labor”) working many nights for a generous publishing company.  Some work was done in the barn at Grandpa’s farm — how fun!  All of us workers were highly motivated by the intended vacation as our reward.  In the process, family togetherness was an immediate blessing.

My wife Kay, the youngest of eight siblings, took our 2-year-old son and me on the chartered bus from Salt Lake City to Anaheim.  Being a musical, outgoing young woman, she led the children in fun songs during the long bus ride.  Our delightful driver was impressed.  Aging cousins still gather and talk about that big family trip!

Mother of Five

Our amazing children treasure loving memories of their mother every day.  On this Mother’s Day, my wife Kay is especially on our minds.  She is an enduring  example of love, patience, service, and righteous living.  There is no end.  Families are forever ... with love!

Four years ago, I wrote: “Dear to my heart are 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.  ...   Our 23 grandchildren all adore their Grandma Kay, who loves them and is keenly interested in their activities.  She will always hold a special place in their heart.”

reading and writing

Already overloaded with books, I bought more this month and thoroughly enjoyed reading them.  Call it OCR — obsessive-compulsive reading (not optical character recognition, as some readers may think).  Especially worthwhile: scripture and history.  What good did it do me?  I could write a book about that!

Journal writing in three forms also occupied my time.  Most, if not all, will never catch our posterity’s attention.  Nevertheless, it helped me navigate life this month.  Is writing a lost art?  My favorite English teacher, Kay, worked hard to help it inspire her students, including me.  Her influence never ends, thank heaven!

Indefatigably Independent

Does an uncommon word ever pop into your head, like coming from nowhere?  An adverb did to me: indefatigably.  Naturally, iPhone confirmed my aging, vague memory:

“indefatigable — (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly: an indefatigable defender of human rights.”

If I were a writer of book reviews, my next pick would be one I’m reading: Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus — Life, Lessons, and Leadership, c. 2022 by H. H. Leonards.  The author shares firsthand experiences about her indefatigable friend and mentor, Mrs. Rosa Parks.  If you like true stories, you know where to find this gem as I did.

The book relates to independent living in difficult circumstances.  In 2005, the persistent defender died in Detroit at age 92.  Can’t say I’m tirelessly independent as she and my wife Kay are ... beyond the veil.  I like to think my defender of the faith has met the amazing, loving woman, Rosa Parks. 

Recalling Easter

Having enjoyed a peaceful celebration last Sunday, I recall my writing since starting this blog.  (As a “Tuesday with Kay” today.)

Easter 2011, my post quoted George Q. Cannon (11 Jan 1827 – 12 Apr 1901) about resurrection: “... the word of the Lord is very clear and definite. It leaves no room to doubt ...”  I concluded with my own testimony: “Yes, there is life after death, and families can be forever.  I know that Jesus Christ lives, and is the Savior of the world.  I will be eternally grateful for His sacrifice.”

My favorite post on Easter was in 2013, quoting my mother’s description of “a quiet garden scene” in 1972.  In a sacred meeting at “The Garden Tomb ... President Lee said again that he felt impressed this was indeed the place where Christ was laid after his crucifixion and where he rose from the dead.”

Sharing my joy on that special Sunday in 2015: “We celebrate Easter because Jesus Christ lives."  In 2016, I recalled a 2007 Easter message by Gordon B. Hinckley, then President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “Mortality is but a stepping-stone to a more glorious existence in the future. The sorrow of death is softened with the promise of the Resurrection."

My “Easter Impressions” in 2017: “Burdened with details of preparing for major changes in our life ... [Kay & I ] are so ready to pause and ponder what should be everyday remembrance ... of our Savior’s sacrifice and eternal love ...”

In April 2019, “My Hope” looked forward to “a joyful reunion with my eternal companion [Kay] and other loved ones who have passed on.  Life is good – here and in the hereafter.  I hope you will feel true joy during this Easter season and in years to come.”