Category: Family

Relationships, children, and the dynamics between family members.

Get Out Of The Box!

Jeanne 1 Comment

Just some thoughts today…Once you think about it–it just might seem to get worse.

A health crisis is upon us. Cases are on a sharp rise. Hospital beds are at capacity. Wearing a mask and washing your hands is easy-peasy, but some other aspects are not…over time:

Staying at home, as we are asked to do…when we need grocery items (all the time)…When we crave a burger and fries that we haven’t cooked….When we need to prepare for Christmas and shop as we have always done in the past…When we are asked to limit physical contact and who we ought to be around…when we just want to take all day and stroll through a store and just ‘look’.

So, you begin to feel BOXED IN, and the walls seem to squeeze you, and

..that only makes all the things you want to or need to do seem bigger and bigger…and the box gets smaller and smaller and pushes all those ‘things’ against you–in your face, and you can’t see anything else. And there just isn’t room anymore.

And a thousand things are undone…then, none of them are even appealing, in fact, nothing seems appealing. You don’t want to do anything, but you feel ‘driven’ to do something, but what? You can’t see any answers because all your problems have wrapped themselves around your face, and blocked off everything. Sometimes you feel you can’t breathe. Sometimes you feel the whole world is against you, and any joy that used to be vivid is now muted and dull.

And in that closing box, even vision is now limited to not even beyond your nose.

I CALL THIS DEPRESSION !

It’s a very ugly thing. See it for what it is, and get out of that box!

getting out of the box will make the walls of your home seem even expansive! And your sight will lengthen out and discover the many things inside your new expanded space–the things that you CAN DO without even leaving the house. And you are so busy thinking of those things that you no longer notice what it was that you CAN’T DO.

That’s the trick…get out of the box

Sometimes, just knowing you’re in a little box is all it takes to step out and re-focus…but, we’re lucky if it ends up being that easy.

Sometimes we sit in the box, and we know we are in the box, and we want to be out, but we can’t break away.

Friends and family may help if we want them to. Call them. Doctors can help if we need them to. Call them. Jesus Christ will help is we pray him to. Pray.

Just get out of that tiny box!

I think it must also be dark in the box. Watch this to see images of light..

A Worthy Routine

Jeanne 1 Comment

With permission from my son-in-law, Joshua Carver, I am posting a delightful and poignant poem:

I lift him us as he wails against an uncertain world,
And he weighs me down like a warm anchor.
I hold him close while you watch us leave.
Somehow, you trust that he's in good hands.

He weighs down the bed between us like an anchor,
and I see a blanket of peace drape over your face.
Somehow, you know he's in good hands--
They reach for each other in the dark.

I see the blanket of peace still over your face
as we feed the creature whatever we can.
He watches us reach for each other in the light,
grinning at the spectacle of his two happy keepers.

We feed him whatever we must, or
hide him away in the dark cove of the beach.
His grins are never far from my thoughts as
we laugh and rest against one another, waiting.

He wakes in the dark cove of the beach.
I toss him up so he knows I'll always catch him,
and we laugh and rest against one another.
My blood swells as I watch you breathe love into him.

You toss him to me so he knows we'll always share him.
We fawn over him as he wails against an uncertain world, and
My blood swells as all three of us share our love at once.
I hold him close while you watch us leave.

A worthy routine, indeed!

Bandit

Jeanne 1 Comment

I still remember the day that my son, Aaron, who worked at a nursing facility, came home from lunch bringing a leashed Bandit home to stay. His son, Ammon had been wishing for a dog, and, Bandit had been a companion dog for one of the recently deceased residents of the facility.

Bandit had the appearance of an aggressive, no-nonsense dog, not to be fooled with; but he was anything but that. He did bark ferociously at intruders (anyone who came through the door), but that was never backed up. He was shy and scared and timid. He became a beloved family dog, welcoming in another 3 kids, besides the two already there.

He loved being a part of the family and expected to be treated as one of the kids, including having McDonald’s cheesburgers, even if he had to steal one. And so it was sad to see his physical decline in the last few weeks and months, finally sucumbing to death last week.

So, here’s to Bandit and all the love our pets freely give us.

BANDIT
Bandit joined our family; a nursing dog, kind and true.
He loved each member from Abe to Allie, and me and you.
Bandit served us in kindness, in his own loving way.
We know God has a special place where souls like Bandit play.

Aaron learned from nursing, how to love each passing soul.
He comforted and helped Bandit to join God's forever show.
Your Dad gave you precious moments to share with a dear friend,
Through Bandit's last days here on earth, with his dear ones, to the end.

We feel for your great loss of this dear loving soul.
His memory will live in us where ever we may go,
Until that day, we met again, somewhere beyond life's trail,
And run and play with our dear friend, somewhere beyond the veil.

Anxiety

Jeanne 1 Comment

So, like many of you, I’ve been feeling anxious about all this COVID-19 stuff: hospital capacities, new cases, schools starting, face masks, social distancing, etc. Everybody has an opinion, and the more I hear, the more anxious I become. One of my friends posted a comment on face book that helped. She said she expressed fears about the future of our nation, and, her friend responded that there is no sense in becoming frantic over situations that we have no control over; instead, focus on the good things around us, on the things we CAN control, like our love, and the happiness within our spere.

And then I listened to ‘Music and the Spoken Word’. It was a pre-recodred program commemorating 90 years of public broadcasting, and they opened the program by singing, “The Morning Breaks, the Shadow Flee”…

You can hear it (I can’t seem to post it) on thetabernaclechoir.org and choose #4739

Below is the script of today’s broadcast. I found it to be encouraging and comforting.

july12Download

46 Years Together

Jeanne 2 Comments

On Saturday, June 20th, we celebrated our 46th Wedding Anniversary in Teton National Park. That’s where we took our honeymoon. We kayaked and camped, and have returned there for many of the other 46 years!

Our daughter sent us a text: “Happy Anniversary to my favorite lovebirds! 46 years later you’re back in the Tetons. Still having adventures. Still best friends. If that’s not true love I don’t know what is. Have a wonderful day you two!”

Gros Ventre Campground 2020

Bob wrote us a poem about true love–it’s called “Our Greatest Gift”

Our greatest gift is You, Lord, for all we know and see
From mountains unto deserts, from rivers, lakes and trees,
From a sparrow to an eagle, from an elk unto a mouse,
All life does astound us that passes through Thy house.

In God's house are many mansions, worlds beyond our eyes.
We share His grace together; through Christ, we grow more wise.
God has given you to me, Dear, for time and eternity.
You are my greatest gift of all I know and see.

You help me to remember our God's love is eternal.
You lift me when I'm down, caught in hate's inferno.
You are my greatest blessing our Lord gives to men on earth:
A righteous caring wife, Mom and Grandma is of an untold worth.

May I live always worthy to walk close by your side
And live with you forever and in God's love abide
And have our special family always in God's sweet love,
With Mom and Dad, kids and grand kids, forever up above.

And so, I thank God for all that is good, and for his tender love that has carried us(me) through these 46 years. Love that has lessened pain, steeled us against the cold blasts that come to us all, deserved or undeserved…and has helped the unpleasant things to work out for our good. I’m reminded of a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants (D& C 123:17) ” Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”

And thanks be for our family, our children and grandchildren, who are a constant source of joy, who make life worth living, and who make us laugh and smile!

Inspiration

Jeanne 1 Comment 
Inspiration is a word that reaches each of us.  As we seek, we will find.
The more we learn to listen with our whole heart, soul and mind.
Prayer builds our desire to hear Truth's music to our soul.
Eternal light comes to us as we stretch, seek and grow.

Inspiration is a gift we each, who seek, will surely find.
If we strive with determination, the spirit fells our mind.
We must strive with deep desire to hear God's eternal soul.
The Holy Ghost whispers to us, when we truly strive to grow.

Inspiration grows like a seed.  We must water it with our tears.
We feed it with our hope, as our faith grows through the years.
Only by our constant effort, hope builds faith through charity,
We will grow in understanding, through our Lord's pure clarity.

In these pandemic days, there is more time for meditation and self evaluation. When we are away from things that challenge us; things we encounter as we interact, which we are doing very little of now….I think the easy way is to gravitate to the lazy, and we find that we avoid anything that takes much effort.

But effort is the gateway to accomplishment, growth, learning and satisfaction. Seeking for divine inspiration is an effort..much more than a casual prayer, but a focused desire that is accompanied by patience, perseverance, and sometimes pleading.

It is my hope that we can all restructure our lives to include the divine–the higher purpose that manifests itself by our love, kindness, compassion and reverance.

There’s nothing like somebody who cares.

Sacred Memories

Jeanne 1 Comment

Since my last post, I’ve been trying to add some photographs and links, but find that I can upload absolutely NOTHING ! Discouraged, I convinced myself that I cannot post, and that worked for a few days, until my mind kicked into the new thinking we are all doing; thinking born of new realities for all of us….of working at home….of staying at home…of not going to church….not gathering in groups…..limited shopping….not going to school….and the list goes on, and sometimes changes every day.

We have to start thinking, not about the things we CAN’T do (like upload), but of what we CAN do. I can post words.

Last Sunday I tuned onto “Music and the Spoken Word”..a broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square here in Salt Lake City. It’s a weekly TV thing at 930am MST. Since we are not congregating as a church, I made this MY church, and what a comfort and reward it was! I wanted to share it, but it wouldn’t upload. Perhaps you could view it (and I would highly recommend it) log onto thetabernaclechoir.org and see if you can’t bring up the broadcast from March 20, 2020 (#4723)

The choir sang a number from “Oliver” that spoke to my soul about being warmed and strengthened by our making of and remembering past times. I won’t quote the whole song, but here’s a few of the lyrics that packed such a strong feeling:

Who will buy
This wonderful morning?
Such a sky
You never did see!
Who will tie 
It up with a ribbon
And put it in a box for me?
Who will buy
This wonderful feeling?
I'm so high
I swear I could fly
Me, oh my
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?
There must be someone who will buy
Must be someone
who will....buy

And now, I’ll add our poem, entitled “Sacred Memories”

Sacred memories that touch our minds, sometimes fade into the dust,
Unless we store and cherish them, they wither and they rust.
Let's take the time to write them down, each day when they occur.
Meditate, appreciate and remember how they were.

Sacred memories, like my Mother's last living, dying words:
"Son, be good to your family", sacred words forever heard.
Or my Father, when he died and returned beyond death's veil.
He told me to search for truth along life's thorny trail.

Sacred memories keep us safe through life's joys and life's woes.
Sweet warm memories of our loved ones warm us as cold winds blow.
From brilliant rainbows, to buffalo swimming rivers at first light
Coming through the morning mist to our soul's delight.

We each savor special memories and store them in mind and heart.
They come in joy and sorrow.  Write them down--is how we start.
Meditate on those that lift us, as we fast and search, seek and pray
And thank God for sacred memories!  Gather more each passing day!

p.s. sorry about no photos or links :C

March 19

Jeanne 2 Comments 
First day of Spring
My steps should be light,
With mind full of hope.
But, alas, reminders everywhere
Of sickness sweeping o'er the earth,
Who shakes and trembles,
Filling minds with fear;
And just in case
We manage to forget--
It shakes again, and again,
Reminding us
And holding us fast
In it's grasp.

Not I.   
I will Avert my gaze
From pressing fears
To look up.
I see the clouds
Unchanging  and steady
Blue sky
Beckoning to take my thoughts
And fling them far away,
Replaced with fresh
Breeze, or rain, or sun--
Wrapping me
With that love
Always there,
But often masked.
Today I will let it in
To warm my heart
And renew my hope
Expand my view
And see all the love around me.

Rhythm of the Heart

Jeanne 1 Comment

I remember a Christmas season..1977. My newborn son was about 4 months old, and as I rocked him one still evening and basked in the light of our small Christmas tree in that old rock house in Farmington, Utah….I reflected upon my feelings of joy and wonder, and thought of Mary and the baby Jesus, and her story became personal to me, and I penned a poem/song that has been posted here before…just a few lines for now:

I know of a baby just as small as you,
Born in a country that the shepherds knew.
A host of angels sang a song to him.
Birds chirped praises and ox kept time.
Stars shone brightly on that night divine,
For the little babe born in Bethlehem.
He was born that night for you and me,
So we could grow to perfect be,
And live in joy…forever,
Together.

And now, another Christmas season is here, and this year I hold a newborn grandson, and those same feelings come rushing in, and I’d like to post a few lines from a poem given to me on my birthday: Rhythm of the Heart–

Basked in your love
like a lizard--soaking sun
now I too have played the part
to soothe the fears
to tend the heart
watch them fall
wait for the rise

A mother's heart is open wide
a mother's heart is often broke
it's full of guilt
it's full of hope
tenderness
ferocious pride

The days are long
the years fly by
midnight feedings
sleepless nights
messy rooms
and tickle fights
chubby hands--reaching

A mother is a creature divided
such overwhelming, bittersweet joy
baited breath as bird takes flight
please let them soar--let them fly.








I can’t seem to get this 18 min. video to download correctly, so, to view it go to www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/the-christ-child





Birthday Miracles

Jeanne 1 Comment 
Dawn calls us through a window (freed from ivy vines)
Through the labor of my best friend with her heart, body and mind.
God gives us each talents and watches what we do.
We each have our agency to choose what we want to.

The Son's gold touches the sky.  The clouds catch His first rays.
I rose up slow and careful and stretched my pain away.
I gave my thanks to Heaven, to live just one more day--
rose and dressed and slipped away, as my mate slept on today.

I went out our front door and drove to a special place
Above the wake-up noise of each soul's fleeting race.
I watch the Son's miracles caress each cloud on high,
And gaze in awe-struck wonder, of this earth, clouds and sky.

From deer to bunny rabbits, to the birds that praise each dawn,
Each miracle reflects God's eternal song.

Now I sit again, in silence as my mobile turns before my face,
Reminding us of each precious goal; each family's special in time & space.


Bob wrote this on his birthday–July 20. Here it is, almost September, and I’m supposed to post a poem every Monday. Well, that hasn’t happened this summer. We’ve really been on the run and have not been home-based. But I suspect there aren’t many of you who race to your computer on Monday morning to catch the newest post, do you? If I lived for comments, I’d be dead! So that’s a scolding for both of us.

This is China Cove…one of the places that has distracted me from the blog this summer.
If you only had one more day, what would you do?Download