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We have been visiting the cemetery for over twenty years on Memorial Day, Christmas, Ashleigh's birthday, Ashleigh's day, and on many other just... regular days. We've been there when the snow was knee deep, when the sprinklers were on, when the wind blew or the rain poured, we've gone when other burials were taking place and we had to come back later; we've been there with a crowd, and we've gone alone, there have been times when we had to hurry or on other occasions sat there for several hours; we've watched the sun rise and set while at the cemetery; we've gone with family or with friends, we've prayed there silently and alone... or vocally with a small group. It is a part of our lives... a very real part. In all of the years and countless times that we have been there, last Monday night, Memorial Day, is one that I will hold dear to my heart forever.
It was after 7:00 in the evening when our family arrived. The cemetery was overflowing with the beautiful colors of countless flowers that had been left at the graves over the weekend. The crowds had long gone. There were a few lingerers, like our family. It was perfect as Mike and I and all of our posterity stood gathered at Ashleigh's grave. We had brought pink balloons for the grandchildren to send to Ashleigh and they were excited to let them go, and we all watched the sky until we could no longer see them. Not far from us stood a man who was playing the bagpipes. The boys, who had arrived just minutes before us, told us that the man had been playing "Amazing Grace" as they got there. "Amazing Grace" is a special song to us... Michael loves that song and it had been his request that a piper play it at Ashleigh's burial. It has been especially tender to us ever since.
My Jeremy approached the man and asked if he would come to Ashleigh's grave and play it for our family. He very graciously did. It was a spiritual moment as we stood there as a family listening to the piper as he played that beautiful song ... when it was over we just stood there reverently. There were a few tears shed, and some hugs and love yous. For me it was a tender moment of tender moments. I love my family. I'm grateful for each one of them and I will never forget the way I felt during those few moments we spent at the cemetery together.
I have once again had the opportunity to sing with the wonderful choir We Also Sing under the direction of Merrilee Webb. We have been rehearsing for a couple of months and I'm really excited about the songs we are singing. While telling my hometeacher (remember he's musical... a member of the King Family) about the concert on his recent visit, he asked me what kind of music we will be singing. Well, our repertoire is vast. Two of the songs we will be singing are Bridge Over Troubled Water and Praise To The Man. We will also be singing Orinoco Flow and if anyone reading this post knows Orinoco Flow I'd love you to comment. I've heard this song many, many times and didn't know the title. The song mentions Cebu (in the Philippines) where my sister-in-law Marivic is from. Being in a choir that Merrilee directs has been and continues to be, an uplifting and motivational experience for me. Merrilee tells us that the rehearsals are for us... but the concert is for the audience. So please join us Friday May 11, at 6:30 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. It is free and is only one hour long. You won't regret it.
I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. I have plenty of shopping stories that I could regale you with, but... I won't. If you know me well you already know what kind of shopper I am (Lilian is probably nodding her head now). If you've shopped with me you know how fussy I am (Melinda remember when you got $10 off the price of a dress in Park City years ago; because I found a spot on it?). A stranger once looked into my cart at the grocery store, then looked at me and said, "I've never seen groceries so organized in a grocery cart before." Should my shopping habits make me proud or embarrassed? I'm not sure... maybe a little bit of both considering the circumstance of the moment. Needless to say, although I do enjoy shopping excursions with friends and family, when I really want and need to accomplish something I prefer to go alone. Not because I don't enjoy the company... but I'd rather not put people I love through the torture of shopping with me.
But today I share a happy and successful shopping story which is also very true to the nature of my shopping habits. So enjoy.
Several months ago while shopping at a favorite store I found this red table and immediately fell in love with it. I knew it would be perfect in my living room, but it was what I considered to be a major cash purchase. When I am making major purchases... I like to "think about it". Often while I am thinking, I miss out. My tolerant extremely patient husband often tells me that I over think such things. He's often the one who tells me to buy it. In fact, he always tells me to buy it. How many husbands do that? Only the ones who have the secure knowledge that their wives "think about it" too much.
This store offers 20% at any given time (if you happen to shop there and they tell you that), but I needed more than 20% off to justify the purchase. I have gone into that store on a weekly basis for months watching and waiting for my table to go on sale. A few weeks ago there was a store coupon for 25% off, but I had a price in my head and 25% still didn't cut it. I finally decided that I was going to forget about the table... and I did. A week ago while shopping with Marivic at another favorite store, I found another red table... this time my "think about it" habit saved me from a purchase and then a return, because two days later I went into the original store and there was my table... 30% off. Just dollars above what I would spend. I knew this was my last chance. It was now or never. I scrutinized every detail of looked at the table for several minutes. The store employee told me that she could give me 35% off if there were scratches (don't you love the distressed look?), so I bravely asked, "could you go 40%?" A quick phone call and the 40% offer was approved. There was no thinking about it now, within minutes that table was in the back of my little car and I was on my way home.
So how do you like my red table? I will post another picture when I accessorize it... but knowing me that could take a few more months, so please don't hold your breath.
I just returned from another wonderful two days at BYU Women's Conference. In 2007 I attended my first conference alone (my choice) then for the next few years my Mother and I attended together. Last year our group increased in size and this year there were ten of us including my mom and my sister, two sisters-in-law and their sisters. We enjoyed attending classes, going to dinners, a wonderful concert on Thursday night, lots of laughter and even a few tears. Elder Neil L. Andersen was our speaker at the concluding session and I had the opportunity to shake his hand. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the classes that I attended:
"We are all in this 'til the conflict is over." Neil L. Andersen
"The future is as bright as your faith." Thomas S. Monson
"Conversion requires daily nourishment and renewel."
"There is need of much discipline in marriage; not of ones companion, but of oneself." Gordon B. Hinckley
"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." David O. McKay
"Information leads to inspiration."
"We are by nature... divine."
"Perfection is not a commandment... it is a promise."
"Our lives are the most powerful sermons we will ever preach."
"This life is not living the dream, it's meant to prepare for the dream."
"Prayer unlocks the power of heaven in our behalf."
"Go home and be stronger."
"Choose joy!!"
"Scatter sunshine all along your way."
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US... THIRTY-FIVE YEARS!!!!!
April 15, 2012 is tax day. On April 15, 1977 I didn't know anything about taxes. The day came and went and my taxes were never mailed. The government still owes me $30... I wonder how much interest I've earned on that.
April 15, 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. My great-grandfather helped to build the Titanic in Belfast. My grandmother was six-years-old and was there when it was launched. When I found out that my ancestor had helped to build the Titanic I said, " I hope he didn't work on the part that broke."On April 15, 2012 Michael and I will celebrate our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. This is one of my favorite wedding pictures; we look so young... that's because we were (only 18 and 19). Thirty-five years later... we are happy, we love each other, we love our children and grandchildren, we are blessed more than I can express... life is good; can you imagine what eternity will be like?
