j . a . m . k . m . b: Normality Returns

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."

Monday, August 13, 2007

Normality Returns

As we sat around this morning as a family, just kind of relaxing before our morning prayer and my work day, I couldn't help but smile. To be home, all together as a family, as the sun shone through the window, after a great night's sleep in our own beds, with no other distractions - very nice!

The drive home, however, wasn't all nice. The kids did great, and we made excellent time until Reno, but hit the horrendous Bay Area traffic and what normally takes about 11 1/2 hours took us 13 1/2 hours. Oh well, we'll have to time it a bit better next time. Luckily though, we got home early enough that we had very little stress even with the added hours on the road. We were able to get a few things unpacked, and at least tidied up before settling down for the evening.

So now we're home and things are back to normal, but it was nice to spend a final weekend with family and friends in Utah. We really enjoyed a trip to the BYU bookstore, hanging out with our longtime friends, Matt and Sheri, a couple more great meals prepared by Grandma LeBras, The Music Man play at a local theater, a fun dinner and hospital tour with Grandpa Richards while he was on call at the hospital, and being with everyone we won't be able to see for a while.

I also ran the Provo 1/2 marathon on Saturday and really enjoyed it. I wasn't planning on running until maybe Friday, but I'm glad I did. I didn't run my best time (I ran 1:44), but in going in with a lot more relaxed view of the run, I enjoyed it much more than usual and felt good afterwards. I'm grateful to be in shape to be able to run something like that on a spur of the moment. It also got my juices flowing for St. George again, which is big because I was really feeling non-motivated for October. I'm looking forward to also running a relaxed marathon with Matt Dalton and probably Jason (if his ankle continues feeling better).

The trip to the BYU bookstore was fun! We got some awesome Cougs gear for Brig - workout pants, sweatshirt, t-shirt; and a couple of things for Brig's dad. I was especially excited to put the new/old Y logo sticker on our Rocketbox proudly displayed alongside the Longhorns sticker.

I owe you some pictures, which I may have time to do tonight or tomorrow. We took so many it's going to be hard to narrow it down... Here's my favorite one so far from the hospital cafe with the Richards (note the remains of Brig's accident markings on his head):

3 comments:

Molly said...: Glad you guys are home safely, but forever bummed that YOUR home isn't closer OUR home! Love you guys. Thanks for lots of fun together. Can't wait for our next chance to see you....; August 13, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Unknown said...: Glad you made it back safe!!
It was fun to see ya'll!

Lookin' forward to the pics!; August 13, 2007 at 6:45 PM
Anonymous said...: John, It was really fun getting the families together. I ran 20 yesterday (8/18/07). I think I am ready to run St. George "nice and slow". Matt; August 19, 2007 at 5:58 PM

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Monday, August 13, 2007

Normality Returns

3 comments:

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