Memorial Day

May 26, 2013

My brother Glenn shared a wonderful Memorial Day tribute. It is one of those that is passed around from time to time but is worth sharing again. I am sending it as a separate note for your enjoyment.

The word memorial, derived from memory means to give thanks, honor, and appreciation to something or someone. Wow! We are so very blessed to have our brains full to the brim with experiences, objects, and especially people to who deserve our respect, honor, and appreciation. I was my thoughts on this writing project I have been chipping away at for over two years. I shared how I had struggled to write in journals. I didn’t mention that I have a bunch of journal books that have great clean sheets in them – just no writing. My point is that we really have no reason or justification to avoid this simple task now. We can sit at the computer and relate the memories we have, or that come to mind at that particular moment. They are all there; it just takes a little digging to flush them out and make things appear on the written page.

For example we were in class talking about Sister Wixom’s encouragement to us all in April 2013 General Conference. “One of the greatest influences a person can have in this world is to influence a child. Children’s beliefs and self-worth are shaped early in their lives.” When I was fourteen I stuttered terribly. One fine youth leader suggested I give a talk in a speech contest. I scoffed at the notion because my self esteem was just about at the same level as my speaking ability – right down in the gutter. After several very courteous attempts to encourage me to do this outrageous thing I finally consented. I remember very little of the content of that speech except that one of the quotes was from the Old Testament about obedience being better than the fat of rams (sacrifice). The notion of completing this talk and actually feeling good about it was the beginning of a swing upward for me. It was good enough that the leaders were actually able to justify sending me on to the next level in the contest. Now I have never seen or heard of a speech contest in the church before or since, so I presume it was all for my personal growth.

When my children were growing up, I spent way too much time working. I worked at work; then I worked at home; then I worked on second and third jobs; then I worked building houses and businesses. My children blossomed into beautiful members of society with children of their own. I owe them an oversized apology and huge encouragement to focus on blessing the lives of their children every single day. Listen to them. Listen some more. Do something with them. Then do some more. Pray with them. Share with them. Love them. Let them know you love them by word and by deed. Sister Wixom continues in her talk; “Everyone within the sound of my voice has the power to increase a child’s confidence in himself or herself and to increase a child’s faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the words they speak.

Thank you all for the wonderful memories with which you have blessed my life.

God bless you as you move forward in your earthly ministry of love and compassion.