j . a . m . k . m . b: Strange Kids

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."

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Strange Kids

We have a tradition at our home where each night around the dinner table we ask each child what was the highlight of their day. I know I've talked about this before, but it periodically presents some interesting views into what the kids are thinking, and what stands out in their minds from their day. Here's a look at a couple of interesting responses from yesterday...

Morgan said her highlight of the day was "going to the dentist". This was very unexpected because she was there to get two cavities filled. She explained she liked the feeling when they put the thing on her nose (gas mask), and it made her not feel her arms and hands. She also has a silver tooth now - not a silver filling in her tooth - an actual silver tooth. It's quite impressive really, and she was certainly not shy about showing it to her classmates today on the fieldtrip I got to drive for. Bottom line is, I'm not really sure I want my kids liking the dentist visits so they can get the cool gas. Besides, who likes dentists?! And I don't care how many stickers, toys, and pencils they get for being good.

Micah said her highlight was going back to school after the weekend. What??? Who says that? What kid says the best thing about their Monday was that the weekend was over and they got to go back to school? Hmm.

Brig said his highlight was playing with Joey and Sam, which is what he says every single night, regardless of whether he actually played with Joey and Sam. It turns out he really did play with them yesterday, and he just can't get enough of his two little buddies. He's been talking for weeks now that he gets to sleep over at Joey and Sam's house when Ang and I go to St George this weekend - hopefully he still likes it when he's actually doing it.

Can't remember which of the seven things Kennan listed as her highlight was her actual favorite, but I'll go with "having dinner with my family", since that's invariably my highlight as well. We have a great family, and if we can get over the occasional squabbles and arguments, we're a pretty happy gang.

So what was the highlight of your day?

2 comments:

Jocee Bergeson said...: I love reading your BLOG eventhough I never comment. I guess the highlight of my day was that our water heater broke....ok, not such a highlight. Have fun in St. George! Should be a blast.; October 1, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Unknown said...: my day? perhaps when it took me over 10 minutes to get ezra in his car seat once going somewhere and once coming back. that kid is STRONG when he is mad. and is stiff like a board.

no, i guess the real highlight is when he was all sweet to me after that little episode...; October 3, 2008 at 1:37 PM

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Strange Kids

2 comments:

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