Precisely Placed

Our family gathered in Kanab for Thanksgiving this week, a perfect place, precisely picked in a serene, southern Utah setting.  So sweet of our daughter’s family to host at their cozy home. 

Fast Friday deals are online, perfectly placed right after Thanksgiving, when we have nothing else to do but shop for Christmas as I did for a few minutes yesterday morning in the comfort of home. 

As the grand finale for Ogden’s annual Santa Parade this evening, fireworks were precisely placed for a perfect view from my apartment window.  Families and friends endured the cold together … for fun!  The Christmas season has surely begun.  May we keep in mind the true reason … with love.

I believe our Heavenly Father purposefully placed my wife Kay and me in faithful families at the right time in this free country.  More than my morning afterthought.  A long-held conviction with gratitude.

Recall Thanksgiving?

Last Monday at Golden Hours Senior Center lunch, we were invited to write one word on a [“I am grateful for”] card and get our photo taken with it.  I wrote “family” as my first thought.  I smiled. 

Christmas preparation appears in full swing, such as the delightful lights and Village set up downtown at Ogden Park.  I am nevertheless grateful, especially in this season of Thanksgiving, for my wife Kay, family, friends, our brave veterans, and all of God’s blessings. 

Driveway Moments

A term used years ago on Classical 89 (BYU radio) and a few days ago on WRCJ (Detroit Classical) really resonates with me.  Moving frequently, my wife Kay & I lived in many homes with a peaceful place to park our car.  Arriving home in the middle of a masterpiece of music on the car radio, I often lingered for a minute, listening with love.

It’s called a driveway moment — a time of reflection, relaxation, and appreciation.  I should slow down and write my impressions next time it happens — most likely with sweet memories of our love for great music.  Our children and forever friends understand where I’m going with this.

Drawing a Blank Too

This is the second time I’ve written about it, if my sometimes-blank memory serves me after four years.  Wanting to write, but drawing a blank again. 

I imagine my English teacher wife, Mrs. Cannon, drew a few blanks from students when she asked questions and assigned essays.  Many were quick to respond, inspired to write creatively and be eagerly engaged because of Kay’s fun style of teaching.  Quiet, deep-thinking introverts needed advance notice and time to prepare — often with better results than talkative extroverts.

As an introvert, I like to be a good listener with family, friends, and strangers.  I love you all.  So, please forgive me for occasional failures to express myself ... like now when I’m drawing a blank.

Moving Lessons

Life moves on, sometimes unexpectedly.  After so many moves to homes in different cities, we learned some lessons I can share.

Unpack essentials immediately ... before forgetting which boxes and where they landed — rechargers, toilet paper, meds, and keys, for example.  (My phone camera was handy when packing.  Wish I had used it more.)

Remember: storage units seem convenient, sometimes essential, but they tend to be a trap.  Determination and hard work are required to break free without a contractor doing the move/disposal.  However, intentional storing works.  (Like intentional parenting I’ve heard about?)

Simplify. Get some rest ... and a little fast food!

Holiday Season Too

There's the holiday season, starting tomorrow ... but first came the prepare-for-holidays season, which started a month or more ago.  

Yes, I’m guilty of a little Christmas shopping all year long ... since I got into trouble by waiting until Christmas Eve when Ogden stores were closing at 6pm on my way home from work.  Then I remembered our tradition of ending the Twelve Days of gifting on January 6th, Three Kings Day (Epiphany).  Saved!

Seeing the Spirit store open a month ago reminded me that Halloween is still a popular holiday for many.  Did you notice the yard decorations in September?  For me as a young dad with kids in costumes, it was “Meet The Neighbors Night” with gypsy Kay serving at home.  Who can forget her class act!

Diminishing promotion of Thanksgiving does not lessen my gratitude for blessings from my Heavenly Father.  In fact, I thank Him every day.  Happy holidays!

Mindful Momentum

Is moving to a new home every year or two a matter of momentum?  Maybe so for me, although it sets me back some in order to progress even more.  I don’t know, but I am mindful of how momentum works for me in other ways.

In my new downtown apartment, I have a shorter run up stairs.  Nevertheless, momentum still comes into play, regardless of my advancing age.  The lifelong habit keeps me in the running.

I am also mindful of how my mind loses momentum late at night.  Fortunately, it knows when to slow down.  Happy dreams!