We are the United States of America

When I was ten years old, my mom took me to see President John F. Kennedy.  It was September of 1963.  He came to Salt Lake City for a visit.  I don't know why she took me, but she and her friend took me and my friend to see the President.  My parents had not voted for President Kennedy. They supported Richard Nixon.  (I guess it was before they realized how "tricky" he really was.)  Anyway, off we went to see the President.  He was to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square, right in the middle of all that was Mormon.  Thinking back it is amazing to me how may people were there.  Downtown Salt Lake City was packed.  This was conservative Repulican Utah.  But he was our President, and back then people thought it was cool to see and hear the leader of the nation, even if you didn't vote for him.  It was too crowded for us to get into the Tabernacle or even Temple Square.  It would be a while so we just decided to hang out at the west entrance of what was then Hotel Utah, hoping to get a glimpse of his car as he drove down the street.  The main entrance of the hotel faced south, so we were amazed when his bubble topped car slowed down and stopped right at our entrance and he got out.  We were within about five feet of the President.  (Probably today an impossibility.)  I don't even remember any secret service, although I'm sure they were there.  He was very tall and handsome with beautiful eyes.  I remember, even at ten thinking he had gorgeous eyes.  He looked straight into my eyes and smiled and waved and was gone into the hotel. 
It was just two months later as I sat in the lunch room in my school that the nation heard the horrifying events unfolding in Dallas.  The nation came together mourning the loss of this bright young man.  Of course we were innocent back then and didn't know his whole story. Maybe that is when we started coming out of some of the innocence.  Sadly.  Knowledge is always good, but knowledge can lead to judgement and judgement is not good.  My point in relaying all this is that I was brought up in a gentler time.  I was brought up to love my country, to respect leaders, to exercise my right to vote.  If the leader isn't doing what they should, vote him or her out and start over again.  That love of country that was instilled in me by my parents and grandparents.  The heritage that was given to me, the history that I studied and so admired in our countries founders gave me a foundation as I grew up in a new unsettled society.  A society where people burned the flag I loved and scoffed at leaders, where leaders eventually felt as if they could do and say anything and get away with it.  The dream the founding fathers had, the dream my ancestors, my grandparents, and parents carried always with them seemed to be eroding.  In many cases leaders seemed to become arrogant rather than humble, people seemed to think things were owed to them.  The younger generation could be heard saying that things were better elsewhere!  How could this be?

When my son was going through his roughest times, sometimes he would just be too ill emotionally to carry on.  He just couldn't go on one more day.  I would suggest that he go to bed, as if he had the flu, for two maybe three days, no longer.  He needed to rest his body and mind and allow himself to heal without feeling guilty.  But on the third day he had to get up and get going.  The "flu" would be gone and he just had to get on with his life with renewed enthusiasm.  I think everyone goes through times like this in their lives.  At different times we all need to have a touch of "the flu."  We need to rest, meditate, take inventory, we need "to pause".  To find our footing again, to be sure of where we are going and then have the enthusiasm to move toward the goal.  Maybe right now our Country has a bit of "the flu."  Maybe she has been laying down for her two days, resting, trying to figure out what her next step is.  But the next part is to really pause, to take inventory and evaluate.  What direction do we want to take?  Where do we want to go?  There are so many possibilities, there are so many problems.  But haven't there always been problems?  What makes America great?  Oh, thats right; we have smart young people who solve problems, who are just waiting to be heard.  America has gone through dark hours before, but has always emerged like a roaring lion letting the world know we are here.  But the lion must learn to lay down with the lamb as well.  To be great, one must be humble and I feel that is one of America's biggest problems.  She's become too arrogant and prideful.  The founding fathers may have had their personal issues, but their love of country was bigger than themselves.  It had to be or they couldn't have accomplished what they did.  When they served the country, they served for the country.  How many of our leaders really serve the country?  How many of us really serve our country, really love and cherish our country the way my grandparents and your grandparents did?  America has the flu, and I certainly don't know how to make her well.  I'm just a middle aged, baby boomer, wife, mother, grandmother.  But as I have learned in my life and seen in others, as I have studied history and read in the scriptures, when people get too full of themselves, too prideful, when everybody has too much of everything and they can't go without anything then things start going wrong.  For some reason we always have to be pulled back in and taught a lesson.  Maybe America's lesson is that our leaders need to be more honest and love America better than they do themselves.  Maybe America's citizens all need to learn to sacrifice a little bit and teach their children that it is ok to not have everything handed to them and to actually let them go work those minimum wage jobs to help pay for things like cars and school.   Maybe then those children would grow to appreciate those things and not take them for granted.  Maybe then those jobs would stay in America.  Maybe it is time for Americans to start loving America again.  To appreciate her beauty, her intelligence, her welcoming arms.  Maybe it is time for those who come to America to embrace America, to bring their beautiful culture and integrate it into America, but to become Americans by learning the language and abiding by the laws of this amazing country.  Maybe it is time for all to become humble, to be grateful for what has been given to us. To realize the great sacrifice that has gone before to get us where we are.  Maybe it is time for America to stuff pride in the garbage can and stop blaming everybody else, and start working together as a people who love their country and want more than anything to leave a legacy like our forbearers left us.  Maybe it is time to remember who we are and where we came from.  We are the United States of America.  We should be united in making this country great whatever direction that takes. The leaders that stand out in my mind weren't great because of their politics or their political party.  Their party didn't matter.  They were great because they had the power to unite the country.  They had a cause that was good and just.  That's what makes America the great nation that it is.  Being united in a cause that is good and just.  So America, it is time to get up, you've rested long enough.  You've talked about, mulled over, thought about the problems until everybody has "the flu." America needs a leader who will unite her and America needs to stand united behind her leader ready to go forward into the future stronger, better, brighter, with more humility, with gratitude for blessings pouring over her mountains, valleys, rivers and streams. 
And above all her people.

To the Gardener, the Land is everything

After travelling backeast and being reminded of the history of our great nation..and being Memorial Day weekend, when we remember those who have fought so bravely to keep us free, I am writing some thoughts down.  I know many are discouraged by what goes on with politics these days, but that is not all that this country is about.  If you are interested, follow along.


On my Dad's side of the family I go back to 1630, when Anthony Colby sailed here on a ship named Confidence.  Governor John Winthrop was sailing on another ship at the same time.  On my mom's side, my grandfather came from Sweden when he was just eighteen years old to find a better life.  I have ancestors who heard about the Book of Mormon and because of their belief, travelled across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley.  They lost children and their beloved mother along the way, but never their faith.  My Swedish great-grandmother lost her family when she joined the LDS church in Sweden.  She came to Utah to be closer to others who had her same beliefs.  Yet, when she got here it was much harder than she imagined.  She didn't know the language, the customs, she didn't have work.  But she found work.  She learned the language and the customs, while incorporating her own Swedish traditions into her family life.  It is what you do when you come to America.  You become an American, while enriching America with all the beauties of your native land.  My mother and aunts always said, though this lovely woman went through many hardships, which included losing three babies, a husband leaving her after they immigrated, supporting her family on her own, she was always happy and cheerful.  She was a fun and strong woman to be around!

My parents were depression children.  I grew up hearing the stories of how they went without.  Yet for some reason, it didn't always sound totally doom and gloom.  I think it was because they both came from tight knit families who had a strong belief system.  They had a lot of faith and worked hard.  They stayed close together during those times and made it through.  They also had a sense of humor, which I feel is invaluable when going through life in general, let alone difficult times.  My dad remembers around 1930 that "his parents were going to lose their home.  The depression had hit hard, they lost almost all of their new furniture they had bought for their new house.  His parents tried to protect the children from the details so they were not made to worry.  My dad remembers how much fun the kids had after the furniture was all taken away.  The rooms were large and empty and the children went sliding through the house in socks, loving the space and wondering why their mother was sitting on the porch quietly crying."

My dad and his brother would walk by the Country Club after herding cows, hoping for a cadding job.  He said "if you ever got a 'loop' you'd earn one dollar.  It would take at least an hour to get over there, and a round took four hours.  The big deal was to get a ten cent tip.  With the dime you could get a hamburger and a drink, in the caddy yard.  If you got a hamburger and a drink and still had a buck to take home that was big money."  Later in life my dad was to build a world class golf course with Arnold Palmer in Parley's Canyon.  Every time I drive by that golf course I realize how he truly lived the American Dream.

My mom's family was full of girls with just one brother, living in a different part of town.  They too were a tight knit group.  Making clothes and passing them down to one another, working hard just to get by, always working and loving this country that had been so good to them.  After suffering those years during the depression they then had to endure the hardship of war.  Not just the deprivations of war, but the emotional wear and tear.  One grandmother lost a son at age eighteen from a heart ailment and a few years later sent her remaining two sons off to war.  I can't even imagine how she must have felt.  I sent two sons on missions at the same time.  Having them gone was harder than I can express.  They were relatively save, they were serving the Lord.  They were also in this country!  But to have one son die and then the others go halfway around the world to a war where they could die also.  She couldn't communicate with them except through letters that sometimes took months.  These were young boys!  My other grandmother had to watch as her daughters sent husbands, fiances' and boyfriends off,  and her only son.  So many never to return.  My dear Aunt Ginny married her sweetheart, three weeks later he was sent to the Pacific and lost at sea.  Of course back then this was a common story.  But this was my sweet aunt who lost her dear love.  I talk to her often.  She remarried.  It took her years to find the right man, but she did and has lived a happy life full of service and love. She is ninety one now. She is full of wisdom.  We were talking about this amazing country and the leaders we have now.  She told me she didn't like how people tore down the President.  She said, "I didn't vote for him, but once he became the President he became the office and I respect that,  I support that, we all need to give him that support.  He's doing an awfully hard job."  It may seem like an old fashioned idea, supporting the President, especially after some of the stunts past presidents have pulled, yet I think Aunt Ginny has it right.  A little support, a little old fashioned patriotism wouldn't hurt these days as we face the difficulties we are in and those to come.

~more to come

Snowball fight in May?

It started many years ago..quite innocently with another set of little boys.  We were sitting outside one Sunday in May and Jack started pulling the snowballs off my beautifully blooming bush and our May snowball fight began. 

And so, when the snowballs start blossoming, another set of little ones look forward to that last snowball fight of the season. 

This was Dylan's first year.  At first he didn't seem to get what was going on.  "What? we take the flowers off the tree and throw them at each other?  I don't get it.."  until that first soft blossom hit his face, then he threw one at Jake and got him SMACK!  dead on! Lots of laughing and no one gets hurt.  (except my poor snowball)  oh well, she's there to serve.

Of course Jake and Sam are old hands at this game.  They aim straight for the camera.

It's always fun to have a change of scene, to run around in grama's garden, look forward to traditions.
A few weeks ago Jake would say.  "Grama, first we go on vacation, then the snowball fight, and then SUMMER!!! 
Summer's here! 
More adventures to come.

The Little Ones

 

Usually our days are busy.  The three boys playing and just having a good time.  But Jake is sick today so Dylan and I are on our own.

Sometimes a little guy likes some one on one time....
Just to let his inner star shine!

Gardening

"Where you have a plot of land, however small, plant a garden.  Staying close to the soil is good for the soul."

~Spencer W. Kimball

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

We saved the best for last.  After seeing the sights of Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and Washington DC, we got down to business.  Heading north to Philly, to watch some baseball. 

"Baseball, to me, is still the national pastime because it is a summer game.  I feel that almost all Americans are summer people, that summer is what they think of when they think of their childhood.  I think it stirs up an incredible emotion within people."
~Steve Busby


Watching these boys play is pure pleasure.  They love the game.  They have fun, they are busy, they are close to one another. 

"The other sports are just sports.  Baseball is a love."
Bryant Gumbel

Taylor is a freshmen and is playing on the junior varsity team.  Can't believe how he's grown.  He's also very smart.  (hey it's ok for grama's to go on and on about grandson's)

"There have only been two geniuses in the world.  Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare."
Tallulah Bankhead

Jack is our lefty.  Fun to watch him pitch and hit.  Although he can switch it up.  His determination will take him wherever he wants to go. 

"Don't tell me about the world.  Not today.  It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball."
Pete Hamill

Hogan plays all sports as if he were born to play that particular sport.  Yet, he chooses baseball.  He loves the game and it shows.  He's fun to watch because the knowledge of the game is just in him.  He takes the game seriously, yet there's always a smile on his face.

"Don't forget to swing hard, in case you hit the ball."
Woodie Held

Luke always swings hard, and seldom misses.  He loves to play catch.  I love to watch as he rips that catchers mask off and is ready for any play.  He's always ready for anything. 

And then there's the spectators.  James and Becky are constantly on the go.  They keep their boys on schedule, uniforms clean. Up at five for early morning seminary, off to school, homework, then off to the various ballfields for practice, games.  They pull it off.  James actually does have a full time job, and Becky is running (literally) from morning to night.  They are amazing. 
I'm so grateful, we get to jump into their lives each spring and take part in all they are doing. 

"It's root, root, root for the hometeam,
if they don't win it's ashame.
Cause it's one, two, three, strikes you're out
In the old Ball Game!!!!!"

To Mothers and Great Women through our history

I am still on a historical high from our trip.  As I go through my pictures I am reminded of the great women who have had an impact on my life and also on the history of this great nation. Way back in the beginning there were women of great courage.  Women who underwent great hardship and heartache, yet accomplished extraordinary things.  We know the ones in the history books.  Yet there were countless others who helped make this nation the great country it is today. 

I grew up on stories of World War II and am always amazed at the women of that time period.  They must have had incredible strength to have gone through the great depression only to send their husbands, sweethearts and sons off to war. 

War is awful for any soldier, yet those women who care for their men often go unoticed and unmentioned.  How heroic to watch, to care for, to love and sometimes fight as well.

I was particularly struck by this monument, having visited it last with my father.  There was a group of World War II vets there.  I visited with the lovely woman in the picture.  She was gracious, kind, and grateful that I would thank her for her service during that particular war.  What a sacrifice, and what a brave woman to go off to war when she was young.    

How grateful to have been taught by my mother and grandmothers to love and appreciate this great country.  I love them, the heritage they brought with them when they came to this country.  I love their values, their strength, their courage.  I am blessed to have been taught by valient and great women.  To these and many others I wish a Happy Mothers Day.

Travelling through History

We've arrived home after two weeks of one of the best vacations ever.  Seeing the historic and beautiful sights of Williamsburg and the surrounding area was lovely.  Our home away from home was the Marriott at Ford Colony.  Beautiful and peaceful, with gardens everywhere. 

Being able to stroll through old Williamsburg and visit their gardens was my idea of heaven. I couldn't get over the colors and the size of their plants.  Perennials and annuals that I have to nurse all summer, flourish back east in the humid air. 

We enjoyed just walking slowly through each garden, noticing the fencing, the paths, and the varied bushes and trees. 

Toward the end of our Williamsburg stay we were able to take our neighbor out to lunch.  He is serving in the area on his mission and got permission from his Mission President.  So we had a fun afternoon visiting with Michael and his companion.  They are loving their missions.  Couldn't ask for a lovlier spot to spend two years. 
Our first stop after Williamsburg was Mount Vernon.  Just the beginning of our Washington DC tour.  Perfect way to start the next part of the trip.  Will post pictures of Washington DC next time.  For now I am enjoying reliving our fun as I look through these pictures.  Nothing better than being able to see the world and enjoy it with wonderful friends!

Washington DC

We arrived in Washington DC on Saturday and have not stopped moving since.  I 've loved every minute of our stay here.  Could spend another month wandering through all the museums.  We've hit the highlights that were of greatest importance to us.  Saturday we spent the day at Mount Vernon.  Yesterday we took the hop on and off bus tour of the city and saw most of the monuments.  The Vietnam and Korean War were most impressive.  We found Jim's cousin, Wendle's name on the wall.  Today we got our private guided tour through the capitol.  Our guide was out of Senator Mike Lee's office.  He was fabulous.  That tour was a highlight and worth getting a hold of someone a head of time. Next the holocaust museum.  Can't put into words how I felt as I went through the exhibits.   The Iwo Jima monument was our last stop.  We got there just as a tour of World War II veterans were finishing up their tour.  What a thrill to be there with those hero's who served in that war.  I remember going to that particular monument with my dad when I was in High School.  It was the first time I ever saw him cry.  It is a very impressive place.  I've loved everything about this experience.  So grateful for the free nation we live in and all it stands for. Grateful as well that we were able to come on this vacation.  Next stop...the PA gang!!!!

Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and more

We are getting ready to leave this beautiful part of the country.  Everything has been perfect.  The gardens of Williamsburg.  The history that comes out of Jamestown and Yorktown.  We've seen the mansions along the James River and even taken some missionaries out to lunch.  Every part of this vacation has been perfect.  The scenery, the history, the company, our surroundings.  Tomorrow we will move onto Washington DC to see more of our wonderful country.  Everything I see makes me more grateful for the country I live in.  Grateful for those who were brave and left their homes for whatever reason to begin again here in America.  I have always loved our history, but being here where it all started, makes me appreciate it even more.