Quieter Times

Now that visiting family has gone, relative quiet reigns. It is interesting to me that I have adjusted to quiet as much as I was adjusted to noise in my earlier years. We are adaptable beings, after all. In my youth I seemed very dependent upon interaction with as many people as possible. Now I enjoy my quieter days. To have a day totally open to my own pleasures and pursuits is still rare, but wonderful when it happens.

Not that it has happened lately. When the people depart the assignments fill in. We have lots of those lately. Layne and I are in charge of writing and organizing historical vignettes for our upcoming youth pioneer trek in June. It is quite an undertaking. I sheepishly admit that Layne has done the lion's share of the work. I also guiltily admit that I haven't insisted that it be otherwise. He is so organized in his thinking that, when he gets on an organizational roll, I had best move out of the way. So, mostly, I have.

During Ben and Jessica's stay with us a few weeks ago (for the de-molding of their home), we hit upon the idea that a wall bed in our study would be much more comfortable for guests than the futon bed we had there. We found the perfect one and ordered it, hoping that it would arrive in time for an anticipated visit from Ger and Fran. The bed had to be made from scratch so the wait would be weeks. Hopefully we looked forward to its arrival in time for Ger and Fran. Of course it didn't come. Guess when it did? Right after they left, of course. It is installed in our study. I love it! Included here is a picture of it closed and open. Now I can't wait for someone to come and use it!

For me, this period of time is filled with a cycle of woman sickness. Not mine personally, but that of several woman friends. Friend Deb Anderson is struggling with a complicated disease; Josephine Jose, in my age bracket somewhere, is recovering from a stroke. Bud Pat Green is recovering from major surgery. Sister Maryanne is recovering from another knee surgery. Colorado friend Elaine Conlan is fighting pain of an unknown cause. Of course there is also Mom. She needs lots of help and is settling into the notion that she will for the reminder of her days. All of us are close to the same age (except for Mom). It is interesting to me that so many friends at once are having difficulties. And all are women! I thought we were the tough ones! I have high hopes for all of these women but can't help finding it interesting that this cycle of trouble is so full of female victims. At least, for now, I am not among them.

Layne and I heard a talk last night from a man named Tom Hansen, who worked with President Hinckley for a time. He quoted President H as saying that "old age is painful." I suppose all of us that are becoming old must face that state of things. It seems to be the price we must pay to get out of here. And I'm perfectly willing to do that, when the time comes.

This is a rather somber thought to depart on, so I've included yet another picture of our poppies and lavender. It is too amazing for words to look out our window upon the happy sight of poppies moving in the frequent breezes, and lavender filled with buzzing honeybees, with the flag blowing happily in the background. It brings joyful thoughts and hopes to mind.

Our Taiwanese Family

It seems to me that life brings a series of extremes with little time for what could be called "balance". I find that I'm a person that usually longs for a balanced life. By that I mean a perfect combination of time to pursue my own interests and those of others. But life usually brings just the opposite; lots of time for personal stuff or lots of time filled with the needs of others. I suppose the balance comes at the end of a life, looking back at the final combination of things. I find that most of my time is taken up with others. Of the two choices, I prefer the people. We've had lots of that lately.

(Bottom picture shows Ben's son William's family birthday celebration. The kids always take quite an interest in presents, no matter whose they are. In the top picture you see the kids on a museum outing. Can you tell which are my Chinese babes?)

Son Gerald and his wife Frances live in Taiwan, where they own two English schools. They love their work. Their two children, Seth and Angelica, are very busy attending school. Things in Taiwan, according to Gerald, are very busy for just about everyone. There is little time for family or fun, he says. So when they stayed with us this past week the kids really got into "fun." Sons Reed and Ben and families spent time with us during their visit, so there was lots of action around here. That is my excuse for not writing sooner.








(Here you see the grandbabes playing Family Home Evening games and playing in the back yard mud.)

When I was younger, I loved talking to people and getting an understanding of what they were about. I find that I do very little of that now. But when Gerald visits, intimate discussions seem to emerge. It is fun to delve into one another's thoughts. There seems to be few opportunities to do that these days. Gerald is my bonding son. He always has things that need saying. I enjoy that. I love his Frances too. She is a bright, good woman. Our visit with them was quite enjoyable.

Mom had an "event" a week or so ago. She didn't feel well. She was sitting in her wheel chair when she turned pale, broke out in a cold sweat, lifted up her head, rolled her eyes back, open her mouth and babbled incoherently. It only lasted a few seconds and she was back to normal. It frightened me. I put her to bed and checked her for signs of a stroke. None appeared. I was alone with her at the time but when Cliff and Layne returned home I had Cliff check her out. She appeared to be fine. I've no idea why she should have experienced such a thing and it put me in mind that she may be getting ready to leave us. I wonder if I am being prepared for that. I will find it hard when that time comes. I feel my mother in my bones.

Gerald and family left on Friday morning. Our house is quiet once again. I have spent much of the time cleaning things up. I find that task helps me to miss them less. Busy-ness seems to be a cure for loneliness. Soon things begin to feel normal again. The house feels peaceful rather than empty.





(In these photos you see Dorothy and foster baby (Reed and Dorothy are providing foster care for babies now), Frances and Gerald, and Gerald telling Mom goodbye.)