More joy for Christmas

December 14, 2014.

Lots of kids, lots of grandkids, no kids, no grandkids, Single, married, divorced, widowed, old, young, educated, degreed, blue collar worker, female, male, or other; we can all exude happiness and share the joy of living with others. We are each unique and individual. We are all different sizes, shapes, and minds. Recently Mitt Romney gave an address in which he acknowledged some of the individuals in his life that had made life special for him. He identified his wife Ann, and other family members; then, he went to share his appreciation for individuals most of us had never heard of including a fellow who had driven forty thousand miles in Iowa during Mr. Romney’s presidential campaign going to almost 150 different events with his pickup dressed out with every imaginable campaign sticker and billboard for Romney for President. He talked about other individuals who had made a difference in his thinking and in his joy in life. A campaign on television featuring Mother Teresa talks about the joy one person can give by sharing what-so-ever we have with those in need.

It occurs to me regularly that I have a solemn obligation to share with others. As the Christmas season approaches my greatest desire is to be directed to those in need; then, to take specific and courageous action by getting off my duff and offering charity – the pure love of Christ. We thank the myriad of people from across our life’s span who have brought joy into our lives. They are many and they are dear. We are all vested with a life to live. No regrets. No looking back and wishing this or that. We start with today; commit to go forward finding joy and opportunities to help others find the same kind of life experiences

One of the greatest joys we have in life is seeing others as their lives are blessed through the birth of babies, the miraculous growth babies make, and the steps they take in finding out what they are and who they will become. Jean and I have watched our children grow into their shoes since our first, Scott Emmett, was born February 15, 1996. Scott was followed quickly by Diane Marie on August 4, 1968. We watched as Scott and Diane grew in knowledge, size, and personality while we ran around chasing education and employment. Like a flash of lightning Kaye Lynn on April 22, 1970 joined our troop as we moved from Tempe, Arizona to Logan, Utah, back to Arizona via Tucson, then back to Utah like a whirling pizza shell. We did all this moving, going to school, and raising a family because it was fun. We think back now and wonder what in the world we were thinking. Very few things in life are constants; however, we were blessed by three indisputable blessings as constants that we feel made our lives worthwhile and full of joy.

Moving on in life we had more experiences that built our life as we brought Daniel Glenn into the family on December 15, 1969 and soon after moved back to Utah again to complete my Doctorate at BYU. We could have waited to have our family after all the moving, the job changing, and the other gymnastics we enjoyed, but we didn’t. We attempted to enjoy every minute of every day and have never regretted a minute of life. Another move and we left Holbrook, Arizona and another job at Utah Technical College at Provo. Then there was Andrew Duane, born December 3, 1973 born in Provo, UT and David Matthew born in Holbrook December 3, 1980 while we worked on my dissertation and degree.

Wow! All that moving makes me dizzy. Now we sit and enjoy all the fruits of our wonderful marriage. These six children – Scott, Diane, Kaye, Daniel, Andrew, and David have all married way above themselves and given us marvelous grandchildren which give us more joy than can be imagined. Each is unique, capable, lovable, and worthy of a great shot at life.

• Scott and Amy brought Starlee, Skyler, Aspen, and Brighton into our lives
• Richard and Diane brighten our days each day as we visit with and hear of the wonderful exploits of their five children Shanna, Elena, Michelle, Jacob (Jake), and James.
• Jamie and Kaye delight us with the very presence or remembering Taylor, Lindsay, Shannon, and Macy.
• Daniel and Teresa live the a long way away but they have given the extra mile in ensuring that we have regular contact through phone and visits. April, Timothy, Lucy, Emma, and Thomas are growing magnificently.
• Andrew and Cammie bless our lives by sharing birthdays, frequent calls, and visits with Sidney, Mya, Cameron, and Ty.
• David and Susan our youngest and live close enough so we watch with awe as Hailey, Ashley, Cason, Olivia, and Kennedy blow our minds with their wonderful adventures.

Are they perfect? Absolutely not! Our children are a giant step up from us and by extension our grandchildren are even closer to all that is good and honorable in the world. Yes, the still fight and quarrel, fuss about their food, and disobey their parents but they are an absolute joy to us and for this we are eternally grateful.

God bless us all as we look for opportunities to share and help those around us find joy.

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend