Bari is working on an actual web site for our wedding/design business. Check out :
cherryblossomdesign.net---- and watch for changes in the coming weeks!!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Aunt Katie passed away this morning
My Mom called me today and told me that my Great Aunt Katie (my Dad's only living sister) died this morning. As a child, she was my favorite Aunt. I even named my daughter after her.
Aunt Katie was quite ill the last couple of years of her life. I went to see her last February when my sister was here visiting. My aunt lived most of her life in Richmond, Kentucky.
I've told the story before of how my Grandpa had 'visited' my Grandma just before she died. I was only 3 when my Dad's father passed away. I have few memories of him. But I had quite a loving and long relationship with my Grandmother. I was named after her. She lived in a double house in Richmond with my aunt Katie and Katie's only daughter Sandra. On the opposite side of the house lived Jane, who had become friends with my Aunt. My grandmother never really liked Jane, but Jane would sometimes (more often as Grannie got older) check on my Grandmother when my aunt was at work. My Grandma (Grannie) was ailing for quite a while, and one day Jane stopped by to see her. Grannie was looking at the foot of her bed and talking. Jane asked who she was talking to, and Grannie said," I'm talking to Papa, and he's telling me what to bring". (Who knew you could take something with you!) and then she proceeded to tell Jane how much she appreciated all she had done for Aunt Katie. Soooo, we figured out that she was taking gratitude and good relationships with her.
Now, back to Aunt Katie. A couple of days ago she was having lots of conversations with people who had passed away before her. She mentioned all of her brothers (including my dad) and her sister Mimi. She even said,"Mimi, make me something to eat." They must have been getting ready for her. Then the best statement of all, she said, "Daddy's at the bottom of the hill waiting for me". The veil can be very thin at times.
Aunt Katie was quite ill the last couple of years of her life. I went to see her last February when my sister was here visiting. My aunt lived most of her life in Richmond, Kentucky.
I've told the story before of how my Grandpa had 'visited' my Grandma just before she died. I was only 3 when my Dad's father passed away. I have few memories of him. But I had quite a loving and long relationship with my Grandmother. I was named after her. She lived in a double house in Richmond with my aunt Katie and Katie's only daughter Sandra. On the opposite side of the house lived Jane, who had become friends with my Aunt. My grandmother never really liked Jane, but Jane would sometimes (more often as Grannie got older) check on my Grandmother when my aunt was at work. My Grandma (Grannie) was ailing for quite a while, and one day Jane stopped by to see her. Grannie was looking at the foot of her bed and talking. Jane asked who she was talking to, and Grannie said," I'm talking to Papa, and he's telling me what to bring". (Who knew you could take something with you!) and then she proceeded to tell Jane how much she appreciated all she had done for Aunt Katie. Soooo, we figured out that she was taking gratitude and good relationships with her.
Now, back to Aunt Katie. A couple of days ago she was having lots of conversations with people who had passed away before her. She mentioned all of her brothers (including my dad) and her sister Mimi. She even said,"Mimi, make me something to eat." They must have been getting ready for her. Then the best statement of all, she said, "Daddy's at the bottom of the hill waiting for me". The veil can be very thin at times.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thoughts at 3:30 in the morning
I have been up since about 2. I went to bed at 10:30. Someone once asked (in a blog) what do you do when you are up at night? I either watch tv (can't tonight because of a Josh on the couch)- or go blogging. Tonight I've been to Cambodia with an English family, Sydney with a tourist from the US, taken a flower questionaire (what kind of flower are you? I'm a Daffodil), I've looked at lots of scrapbook pages, and babies. I've even visited with an LDS couple doing grad work in Columbus. That web site mentioned something I hadn't heard about before. Some of you with Utah connections probably have heard about this- The Hinkley Challenge. It is the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. The concept is to merge the age of Pres Hinkley when he died (97) with his challenge of reading the Book of Mormon. It is a good motivator I think. And I think there is something to be said about 'speed reading' the Book of Mormon every once in a while, too. I think you can get the big picture and successive events a little more clearly than when you stop and study. I said every once in a while, I know we are cautioned to really ponder what we read, and I truely believe that- I'm just saying that it helps me chronologically when I keep going. I need to do this.
There was a milestone in my family this week. My oldest son turned 21. I took him and his girlfriend out to lunch. When I think of all my failings as a mother, I think of how I've failed Joey. He is a tall, good looking young man with a terrific smile and quiet persona if he doesn't know you. He is very funny with a quick dry wit when he feel comfortable around someone. He has always been my most challenging. I don't know how he spends his time, or who his friends are. He moved out about 4 years ago. It was too hard on him to move here from Eastgate. He never finished school (this is ONE of my regrets). I'm afraid of how he earns money -he seems to have it, but doesn't seem to work at anything specifically. He has always been a fence-walker, keeping just inside the right side. This last year he got too close to the wrong side and got himself into some trouble and was in jail for about 3 weeks. I still can't believe I have a son who was handcuffed and put in jail. Katy and I visited him while he was there. I missed an Enrichment meeting to see him once. It was a culture shock. I feel like at some point I must have given up on him. I keep praying. For both of us.
There was a milestone in my family this week. My oldest son turned 21. I took him and his girlfriend out to lunch. When I think of all my failings as a mother, I think of how I've failed Joey. He is a tall, good looking young man with a terrific smile and quiet persona if he doesn't know you. He is very funny with a quick dry wit when he feel comfortable around someone. He has always been my most challenging. I don't know how he spends his time, or who his friends are. He moved out about 4 years ago. It was too hard on him to move here from Eastgate. He never finished school (this is ONE of my regrets). I'm afraid of how he earns money -he seems to have it, but doesn't seem to work at anything specifically. He has always been a fence-walker, keeping just inside the right side. This last year he got too close to the wrong side and got himself into some trouble and was in jail for about 3 weeks. I still can't believe I have a son who was handcuffed and put in jail. Katy and I visited him while he was there. I missed an Enrichment meeting to see him once. It was a culture shock. I feel like at some point I must have given up on him. I keep praying. For both of us.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
My thoughts on President Hinkley
I was thinking about last Sunday in Primary and how cute the kids were. Mathew Jones made the very best 'frowney' face in the Smiley Face song. I couldn't stop smiling my self. I sat with the Sunbeams while Katy went to SS with Josh. Olivia and Connor are the cutest 2 Sunbeams I've ever seen. Oh, and I can't even describe how cute Conner was when we played Spotlight- (She was the Spotlight! And she didn't Know!). My own CTR's are the best ever though. They really want to do well and answer questions and most want to contribute. I have a couple who are still shy- and that's ok too. Right now I get the biggest kick out of Jackson. He never has enough time to finish any coloring project. I Love his imagination and creativity.
When I heard of the passing of dear President Hinkley, I thought about how he said his calling was no different than any other in the church. He said this many times over the years. Callings differ in responsibility but they are all important. I never thought about the limitations of his calling until recently. I'm sure it was almost impossible to take a walk in Salt Lake without interruption. I had read that he was confined to his room at the hospital during one stay because of the multitude of well wishers. He wouldn't be able to teach Gospel Essentials, or Gospel Doctrine. I wonder how often he could attend church as a 'regular' member without a speaking assignment.
Often these days we hear that we should 'think outside the box' or 'take it to the next level'. President Hinkley was called to develop the church media department. That isn't quite right- but something like that. They wanted someone in charge of developing good media involvement. Know what I mean? Anyway- you know how large a department that is today, and how technically forward thinking they are. Pres. Hinkley opened his office with a telephone, a typewriter, a desk, chair, (lamp from home?)- and a ream of paper. When he asked the supply people for a ream of typing paper, they asked if he knew how many sheets of paper were in a ream. Oh, and I think he had to put something under the corner of the desk because it tilted. What can we do with our ream of paper? What ARE we doing with our ream of paper?
And finally, Ray mentioned in his blog about the sweet words from Pres. Hinkley about his wife- 'the women of his dreams'. How could that not warm your heart? Do you say kind and loving words to your spouse? Do they REALLY know how dear they are to you? What about your children? family? neighbors? those who serve with you?
I remember President Benson, and a little of Pres. Kimball. I shook Pres. Hunters hand. Somehow, I don't know why, maybe because he served so long, or maybe I'm just older and notice more personal things about him, but I feel a special affinity toward Pres Hinkley that I didn't with the others.
All he wanted to do was serve. The Lord knew it. There is a lesson there.
When I heard of the passing of dear President Hinkley, I thought about how he said his calling was no different than any other in the church. He said this many times over the years. Callings differ in responsibility but they are all important. I never thought about the limitations of his calling until recently. I'm sure it was almost impossible to take a walk in Salt Lake without interruption. I had read that he was confined to his room at the hospital during one stay because of the multitude of well wishers. He wouldn't be able to teach Gospel Essentials, or Gospel Doctrine. I wonder how often he could attend church as a 'regular' member without a speaking assignment.
Often these days we hear that we should 'think outside the box' or 'take it to the next level'. President Hinkley was called to develop the church media department. That isn't quite right- but something like that. They wanted someone in charge of developing good media involvement. Know what I mean? Anyway- you know how large a department that is today, and how technically forward thinking they are. Pres. Hinkley opened his office with a telephone, a typewriter, a desk, chair, (lamp from home?)- and a ream of paper. When he asked the supply people for a ream of typing paper, they asked if he knew how many sheets of paper were in a ream. Oh, and I think he had to put something under the corner of the desk because it tilted. What can we do with our ream of paper? What ARE we doing with our ream of paper?
And finally, Ray mentioned in his blog about the sweet words from Pres. Hinkley about his wife- 'the women of his dreams'. How could that not warm your heart? Do you say kind and loving words to your spouse? Do they REALLY know how dear they are to you? What about your children? family? neighbors? those who serve with you?
I remember President Benson, and a little of Pres. Kimball. I shook Pres. Hunters hand. Somehow, I don't know why, maybe because he served so long, or maybe I'm just older and notice more personal things about him, but I feel a special affinity toward Pres Hinkley that I didn't with the others.
All he wanted to do was serve. The Lord knew it. There is a lesson there.
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