My Sorrow, life regret

My sorrow is that two people that I respect and admire for different reasons have now passed beyond the veil. My prophet Gordon B. Hinkley Died on Sunday night and my Grandfather Donald Dickson Died on Monday Night. My regret is not getting to know either of them better.

I thought I was ok on Monday when I heard the news about Gordon B. Hinkley... I could go to work and think about the wonderful things that he accomplished in the church and the love that he had for his fellow brothers and sisters. I thought about when I went and watched conference at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, UT. I was single, and living in Provo, UT at the time. My room-mates and I slept out overnight on Temple Square to get (free) tickets to Conference. We met others who were waiting out to get tickets.. Sang songs and drank hot cocoa.... It was a wonderful night,... then we got tickets at like 8am and then ran to the car to get dressed... It was cold that night so we were bundled up. The car was parked at the Stadium down the street from the square. I remember waiting to get in to the tabernacle and singing songs like we "We thank the O God for a Prophet" and the "Spirit of God" I remember the spirit being so strong that day... Just to sit there and watch the twelve apostles walk in and then the prophet walk in I was standing and singing and then It was as if I was standing right next to him. I was in the very back of the Tabernacle on the second floor. sqooshed with no legroom and I was right there. I had the confirmation that I saw a man, who walks, talks and is close to God. I could feel my saviors love for me. I KNEW with out a shadow of a doubt that he was a man called from God and that The Church was TRUE! It was a revelation I had known was true... But I think it wasn't as confirmed as it was on that day. I will always remember him and the Joy that he brought to those around him. Those who were able to feel of his sweet spirit and his love of the savior and for all man kind. I will miss him until we meet again.

Next my Grandpa Dickson. It wasn't your typical relationship between Grandfather and Grandchild I don't think... I didn't see him very much. I met him when I was young girl in San Antonio TX. And then he was absent out of my life until I moved to Virginia after I had graduated High School. I was a nanny in DC and my Aunt Cindy had come out to visit. She had mentioned Grandpa Dickson and I visited with him after she left or just before. We met in Downtown Oldtown Alexandria... We went to one of his favorite Thai restaurants. He spoke their native tongue and ordered for me... I had never had Thai food before. It was very interesting I like the Peanut chicken the best. Mild of course. But he thought it was funny. I asked lots of questions about him. We talked about my mother and my family in TX. It was a wonderful visit. And then he was absent again for a while until after I was married. He helped my husband and I when we were in a pickle once. I was very grateful for his generosity and his loving spirit towards us. Even though we weren't "Close" as one might say. But we were closer than others. I tried to keep in contact with him and his wife Nancy throughout the years. Nancy gave me some House selling advice once or twice. I enjoyed my conversations with Nancy. It was nice to get to know her what little I had. I don't remember actually meeting her in person. I'm sure I will at the funeral. (How unfortunate it had to be under such cercumstances.) I am sorry for her loss, my loss, my families loss and my regret is that I didn't know more about him. I didn't spend more time with him and Nancy. To actually KNOW my grandfather. I am grateful for the opportunities that I did have. He will be missed and I will always treasure him as my grandfather. I miss you.

I have learned in my life how fragil, how special life is and how family is so very important... It gets you thru the good times and the bad times. I have lost in the last 6 months two grandfathers. I miss them terribly... I wasn't able to go to my Grandpa Frazer's funeral. I was so sad that he passed away. He was the one I remember mostly. as well as my Grandpa Lancaster. Who passed away I think 18 months ago or so. It is strange that in two years I have lost all of my grandfathers. But I guess that is the way that life is. I just don't want to miss time with those that are here now. I find that family history is important as well. It helps us get a feel for where we came from and our heritage. A further sense of belonging. I am grateful for the wonderful men in my life who have helped me to grow and who have been an example for me in my life of husbands/fathers and how a man should treat a women. Thank you.

May we no longer have life regrets of what time we should have spent with family... We should just do it. May our sorrows be turned to joy as we remember the men in our lives. Thanks for everything.

Once Again it's Christmas

Once again it's Christmas and loads of gifts with Family and Friends. I've learned that it isn't the amount of gifts we've recieved but the love given behind the gift that is important. My wonderful husband Bill and by Three awesome boys Bryen, Braeden and Mikey, gave me a wonderfully thoughtful gift that wasn't expensive but full of love. I received a picture of my three boys in a frame that was taken Mother's Day. It is a wonderful picture of the kids, smiling and happy. As well as, a Willow Tree Keepsake box called A loving embrace. My husband knows I love the Willow Tree line of figures. He felt so bad that it wasn't more. But my cup runneth over! The most important and precious thing to me is my family. The love of my husband and the love of my children. This christmas was so special! We didn't have to run first thing in the morning. We got to relax and enjoy each other's company. The kids could enjoy their gifts from Santa and mom and dad. (Yes! They still believe in Santa!). Wide eyes with a few gifts under the tree. Special one's the kids really wanted/needed. A 4-wheeler power wheels for Mikey, A computer for Bryen and Braeden(second hand but they don't care). and a nano for the older two. Not much else.... The nano's were pricy... as well as the 4 wheeler. but the rest was cheep and important for their growth and learning. We wanted the spirit of christmas to be in our home. My mother came over around lunch time and spent a few hours with the kids. They love it when she comes over. They run to her and hug her. She is such a blessing in our life to have her around them. She has wisdom and insight to things that I don't and I appreciate her calming affect on my home.

This Christmas was even more special because our Oldest Son, Bryen, was baptised 3 days earlier. It was a very special day, We invited our non-member neighbor/friends to the baptism (and they came!). We had in-active family attend. My Father-in-law spoke on the Holy Ghost and My husband was able to baptise Bryen and Gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost and confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What a blessing it is to me and a wonderful gift that my son has decided to follow the Savior. I have noticed a change in him. I am grateful for the blessings of my Savior. We also spent Christmas Eve with the missionaries and my mother. We watched a movie called the fourth wise man. And the gifts that are important to give others for the savior. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful missionaries in our area, and to share with them the holidays in my home.

My cup runneth over for the sweet service of others and the sweet joy the savior give to us.