A Change is as Good as a Rest

This past week has been Thanksgiving break. I feel that I have had a week of Saturdays. I rested, watched movies, read, played scrabble, organized, and visited with family. We heard from all of our children on Thanksgiving Day, and Grandma Bonnie spent 4 days with us. It was been a very nice change. I am so rested that I actually thought about exercising this morning, and I ate a healthy breakfast of fresh fruit and oatmeal. I am ready to return to work.

Veteran’s Day

Yesterday at school there was a very special broadcast. One of our custodians is a retired gunnery sergeant from the Marines. He dressed in uniform with its many decorations and medals, and he gave a very heartfelt speech about serving our country. The background was filled with patriotic music, and the American Flag. Then he read the names of people at school who at served in the military along with the names of relatives of staff members who have served. It was an impressive list. Amanda and Ian were both recognized, and each time I told my students they belonged to my family. My assistant was a sergeant in the Marines, and she too was recognized. One of our staff members is a retired Major from the Army. She was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base for a time. The students cheered and clapped, and my assistant and I wiped tears from our eyes. I think my students actually felt the stirrings of patriotism today.

Remembering My Brother

Today my brother, Rick, would have been 59 years old. I always remember him on his birthday. I remember him as a youth and young father. He was tall and had an impish sense of humor. I think Jordan looks like Rick. I think Rick would have been a fun uncle. That is how I think of Isaac; he is a fun uncle.
                                                                                                                                      
I think Rick had undiagnosed AD/HD. His handwriting was difficult to read. He had difficulty completing and turning in homework in high school. He was an auditory learner when it was a subject he was interested in. He could sit in a classroom and do well on the tests when he had not done the homework. I think school was hard for him.

I will always remember my brother as a young father who was proud of his little family.



The Same Phone Number

My mom has had the same house number for many years. It was the same number I memorized for kindergarten over 50 years ago. I am glad that she has that phone number because I know it. The area code has changed a few times, but I still know the number. Recently she questioned why she should have a house phone and a cell phone. Is nostalgia a good reason?

Why do we keep our house phone when we both have a cell phone? We use our cells phones most of the time. We keep our house phone because we have had it for over 24 years. We would have to change too many forms in too many places, and besides that it is an easy number to remember. Do my children feel nostalgic about the phone number they grew up with? They can call home anytime because they too know the number. So our phone number, like my mom’s, is a tradition.

The Surface of the Sun

Ian said the seasons are changing, but it still felt like he was living on the surface of the sun. I thought that was a great word picture.

This past weekend I woke up just before 5:00am. My mind was awake, so I got up. I was checking my email when I noticed a box in the bottom corner with a message saying, “Hi mom.” It was Ian. We got to chat for about ½ an hour. He said that he wouldn’t get to hear General Conference until he returned home, but he did get to watch a District Conference via DVD.  

He also shared that he thinks Phoebe looks a lot like her mother. We chatted about how cute all the little ones are. Of course that is a favorite subject with me. It was a nice way to begin my weekend.

Adding to the Family Tree

Grandma Bonnie, Paige, and Isaac have gone to Utah to help Margot with the boys and to meet Phoebe. Paige and Isaac will get to play Aunt Paige and Uncle Isaac to Peter and Cooper. This should give Margot some additional time to rest and recover from childbirth. There will be plenty of people to hold Phoebe too. I wish I could be there, and then we could take a four generation picture of great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and daughter. Perhaps we will do that later. Phoebe seems to be a combination of her brothers, and entirely herself. She is precious.