j . a . m . k . m . b: The next post will have pictures, I promise

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

... Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in [The Music Man], voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”

f you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”³ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”¹⁰ May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The next post will have pictures, I promise

I know I said pictures were forthcoming, but you know how things can just get behind you...

I'm going to post the pics a little later today - just be patient!

The kids are enjoying their last week of summer, and making the most of their late nights and late mornings (as compared to school nights) to watch as much TV as possible. They and their mother are completely addicted to "So You Think You Can Dance" and it's not just current shows - they go back and watch old episodes repeatedly for some reason ... women.

Speaking of old episodes, I recently watched the last quarter of the BYU-Utah game from last season - still brings chills, tears, and the urge to jump up and down and pump my fists vigorously. I and my brothers are anxiously awaiting the start of the new season. I got my ticket arranged to go with a big group of NoCal guys down to LA in a few weeks for the BYU-UCLA game. Should be fun.

I'm Kennan's soccer coach this year. I've been wanting to do it, and a friend of mine wanted to be an assistant coach for his daughter, so we teamed up to coach the girls. We just got our roster this morning and we're excited to have a team full of friends from Kennan's school. It should be fun - hopefully we don't lose every single game! I'm about to go get "Coaching Soccer for Dummies". I think our first practice will be a screening of "Bend it Like Beckham" and hope they pick up something from that...

I'm pretty busy with work, and I have a few travels coming up. During the next month I will be in Seattle, Austin, L.A. (not work related), London, and Dublin. Most are just brief trips so they won't be too bad. It'll be busy though with the kids starting up school, but I don't think I'll miss anything important.

The kids and we are all happy with their teachers and classes. They have a good mix of old friends and new kids in their classes, and even though some of their teachers are new to the school, they seem very sharp and have outstanding reputations. We're excited for what the new school year will bring.

And finally, a shout out to Spencer as he sends his wife and older kids off to play in the sun and he keeps the newborn twins with him and has taken on the task of painting the house at the same time. Some guys just don't know how to say no... just kidding bro - you're a good man!

peace

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The next post will have pictures, I promise

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