Being a Happy Person

I've been reading A Circle of Light by Madeleine L'Engle. Here is a part that touched my soul: "Once, when I was very unhappy, Hugh [her husband] and I had to go to a large cocktail party. There was nothing I wanted to do less than get dressed up and have to radiate charm to swarms of people. But we went, and I tried. There was a woman at the party who very quickly had too much to drink because she was lost; she had been widowed; she had not been able to find a new life which was valuable, or in which she felt she had any value. She talked to me and cried into her drink and suddenly she said, "You're a very happy person, aren't you?
"I had, at that point, legitimate reason to be miserable. But her question stopped me in my tracks. I looked at her in surprise and gratitude and said, 'Yes, I am.'
"This was ten years ago. But the answer is still the same. The better word, of course, is joy, because it doesn't have anything to do with pain, physical or spiritual. . . . Joy is what has made the pain bearable and, in the end, creative rather than destructive.
"To be fifty-one in the world of today and to be able to say, 'I am a happy person,' may seem irresponsible. But it is not. It is what keeps me capable of making a response. I do not understand it, or need to.
"Meanwhile, I am grateful.'

Her words have rolled around in my mind and I've tasted them in my heart and believe that I can say that I, too, am a happy person. Joy is what makes "pain bearable." And joy is frequently a verb--looking at things in a certain way--doing things from a distinct perspective--making a choice to be happy. I can "joy" in life.
I don't believe that means going around with a sappy grin in the midst of trouble. To me it means acknowledging the misery and darkness that abound, but refusing to feast on them and not letting them become who I am. There is glory and beauty in abundance, and I choose to let them be the feast that I internalize.
Naivete has its benefits, and I prefer filling up on trust and faith and hope. Like Ms. L'Engle, 'I do not understand it, or need to.' And I, too, "am grateful."

Glory Comes

Glory came, this morning,
in a little spurt
from Aurora's rose-tipped fingers--
so beautiful it hurt.

Glory comes in moments
that quickly melt away,
yet leave a hallowed memory
to echo through the day.

Glory comes in moments
so keen they take the breath--
as keen, almost, as resurrection
after solemn death.

Sunshine Scripture 17

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. Psalms 18:10

Most people dream of someday being able to fly.
Of all possible modes of transportation, self-flight seems the most exciting. To lift off on your own, like a bird--wonderful!

But how equally thrilling it would be to fly on the back of an angel, or to let the wings of the wind carry you like a kite.

Feel the joy of the power of God lift you.

Soar.

Salt Lake with the Webers

I had a great time with Kirsten, Rebecca and Spencer in Salt Lake on Tuesday. Here are a few of the photos I took until my camera stopped working. (A temporary malfunction, thank goodness.)

We walked around Temple Square (where I caught a shot of Spencer mid-sneeze in front of the Temple). We also saw where Jorgen and Carolyn were serving their mission at the Family History building.




I have always loved the Salt Lake Temple. The workmanship is amazing and I love the uplift it gives my spirits.



Rebecca and I climbed down to the Memorial Gardens (I'm not sure of the exact name) while Spencer and Kirsten went to see the state Capitol Building. Of course the first thing I ran into on the trail down was a rustling in the weeds that turned out to be a snake. That added a bit of adrenalin to the occasion for me.












The park at the bottom was beautiful. I was reminded again of all who gave their lives to serve their country. A breeze came up and I took a bunch of pictures of the flag which you can see in my blog about the 4th of July.


We went to Gateway Mall and ate supper at the Olive Garden before going swimming at the Ramada Inn, where we stayed the night. It was a nice trip for me! Rebecca is off for two weeks in Texas to visit Mackenzie and Zoe and, of course, Uncle Brent.

First Barbecue of the Season

You're going to have to imagine the wonderful aroma that filled my back patio.


When I had gone visiting teaching on Friday, one lady we visited told of a truly delicious way to grill steak. It made my mouth water, so I decided to try it for myself.




Yesterday, I followed her directions and she was right! It was so juicy and tasty.





The weather was perfect. It had rained and cooled things down earlier in the week, but now the sun was shining and the world sparkled. Did I mention "perfect"?





Wish you could have been there to enjoy it with us!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Dad,
My earliest memories involve you.















When I was just a toddler, I loved to lean my ear against your chest and hear the deep rumble of your voice. Even at that young age, I felt protected in your arms.

Your strength was legendary, and I remember the reassurance it was to hold onto your hand.

Your eyes were always alight with enthusiasm and joy in embracing the world.
You taught my eyes to see beauty, my mind to open itself to wonders, my heart to reach out to others, my conscience to know right from wrong.

I still feel enfolded in your arms and protected by your strength.

Thank you, Dad.

Proof Positive

I had felt that this has been an extraordinary spring for flowers, but I wasn't sure, and then our flower I had planted last year blossomed and GREW and proved I was right! What a monster! I hope you can see the difference. The plant this year grew so tall I had to tie it to a post to keep it from tipping over. (Last year's picture shows that I had small white flowers around the base of the larger blue one, but they didn't come back this spring--must have been annuals.)

Fun Projects

We've been having fun with projects this week. First Don cut some of the grass away from the side of the house, laid new straight edging and filled in with white rocks. It's going to be much easier to mow the lawn now.
Today we bought a kids' gazebo with netting so I can sit on the back patio and not be so bothered with insects. I'm sorry the picture I took of Don working was blurred. I'm including it anyway because it shows his cute smile. Isn't it adorable! (The gazebo is cute, too.)

A lovely Spring

As I've taken my early morning walks around town, I have relished the amazing flowers this spring.

Sunshine Scripture 16

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3

Think of all those people in your life that you can remember with thankfulness: childhood friends, family, fellow workers, teachers—the many whose remembrance is sweet to you. Who are they? Thank God for those specific people in your life; thank him for those who bring joy into your heart every time you think of them.

(I think of YOU with joy!)

My Favorite Pictures of Myself (and Don)

Thanks, Bex! (I can't remember who did the one of Don and me, but thanks to whichever grandchild it was.)

More Surprises/Mysteries

On our walk last Friday, Mary Lou Jensen and I "discovered" (think "saw") a set of footprints across the park. The mystery is that we have no idea what caustic substance could get on someone's shoes and kill the grass in footprints that go clear across the park. It's quite amazing.
The second mystery occurred the next day when we walked during a rainstorm. I carried an umbrella the whole time, but when I took off my gloves (which I have worn many times previously without any problems), I found my hands "tatooed" in interesting patterns. It wouldn't come off with soap, even, but eventually gave way to multiple scrubbings.

April Surprises

Look what we woke up to today!