No Volleyball this Week.

Bregetta, our neighbor died today. She was 100 years old and called me a "Smart Alec" just 4 weeks ago. I was honored. The last few weeks have been hard on the family and on Bregetta.

Life is amazing. Bregetta made you appreciate what you can do with what you are given. The last few years she lived in the chair in the living room serving the world. That is right. She knitted caps and socks for premature newborns, Leper wraps and doilies for friends and family. She was always a joy to visit with as she would share a story of service from her past.

Today at church they announced her passing. The significance of the event did not seem to register. The announcement came across as just another event. It was not intended to be disrespectful. Here is how it came out:

... We got news just before this meeting. Earlier today Bregetta died. (slight pause) There is no vollyball this week. (pause) Next week Thursday there is a skills clinic for volleyball at ....

The announcement was likely made in the context of "life goes on" even on the day a centurion dies. It left me with an empty and hollow feeling.

Life goes on for each of us. Tomorrow will again be "The first day of the rest of your life... Live it like it is your last because someday it will be." Like it was today for Bregetta.

Reading earlier this week in The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson I read some thoughts about what others think about us. How at our funeral only a few people are likely to cry. It also stated that what will determine if people come to the actual burial is the weather. If it is raining 50% are likely to be "No Shows".

So, what is it we can do today to be of good in the world like Bregetta was from her chair. Can we see our own funeral or the last day of our life? What will those we love be saying about us? Can we visualize today what those attending our funeral will say to about us. It is likely many will not be crying. What will the people in our lives today remember when they hear about us in a passing announcement someday:

"... Earlier today we got news that __________ passed away. (Slight pause) There will be no volleyball this week..."

Sabbath, A day of Rest

Little children teach great lessons. Some of us go to church on the Sabbath day. Some of us practice a "Day of Rest" each week. This little guy understands and fully practices keeping the Sabbath day as a day of rest at church. Despite my efforts, my lovely wife would not allow me to put into practice fully the lesson this little guy taught.

Oh, that we all could participate fully in such fully dedicated Sabbath day devotion.

But ... I Thought It WAS Important!

In that moment of excitement, I did what seemed important. I was wrong. Boy was I dead wrong. And yes, I did hear about it. Not so much in complaints or comments. In looks and in silence, I heard about it. At times silence and looks can scream. In this situation, the sound was deafening.

I've learned a little more about what is interesting and what is important.

Our family went to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple open house on Friday night. It was a marvelous experience. Beautiful architecture, immaculate interior and peaceful feelings. The grandchildren were all in awe and the experience was memorable. Each of us found beauty and peace of sort in our temple visit. Nice to have family with us to enjoy it.

On our way out it was raining dramatically. A down pour. With refreshment eaten and some visiting winding down we when outside in a sprinkle. Then we saw it. Wow, only one other time had I seen such a powerful image. The sun was perfectly placed and a strong brilliant rainbow was before us. From our vantage point on the temple grounds we could see this breath taking sight.

The last time I saw such a site I did not have my camera so I missed capturing it. I was going to get this sight. I jogged ahead noticing the light was ever changing and there was a chance the brilliance of this moment just might fade. I might miss it.

At the car I unlocked the trunk grabbed the camera only to have it get stuck in the bag. I tugged and it finally came free. I've got to get this shot. It is important to capture such a marvel that happens so rarely. Perfect light. Even stronger now. Full double rainbows. Yes. This is going to happen. I closed the trunk and readied the camera. I got a shot or two with the rainbow by the Jordan River Temple near it's end.

If I go a few yards to the right I wonder if the rainbow will be situated exactly over the Jordan River Temple. Just as I start to move I hear cries from the girls. The rain is intensifying and they want to get in the car. I start toward the car reaching for the keys to unlock the doors.... "The keys...." "Not in that pocket...." "maybe..." "Oh man, where can they be?" My mind raced. As I look up to see my wife and daughter getting wetter by the moment.

I had to confess I did not have the keys. Then reality set in. While I was involved in what seemed to be an important activity to me I had neglected a far more important matter. The keys were locked in the car. IN THE TRUNK! There was laughing, crying, looks and silence. Nothing we could do. It was done.

Perspectives change in a moment sometimes in life. So, it did for me at that moment. Pictures were not nearly so important anymore(though I did take a few more). Attention change to the really important matter of getting the problem solved and taking care of our transportation needs.

What is IMPORTANT so often seems so clear until we get a little different perspective. We always need to take care of the really important stuff while we participate in the interesting kinds of "important" actives.

The matter was solved by my driving an hour round trip to home and back to pick up the spare key. After all the screaming looks and yelling silence were past we had a good laugh as we got home hours beyond our plans.

We did something important. We stuck together. Solved the problem and now have something to look back on. Indeed going through the temple open house was memorable and now it is fixed with emotion and memories of what is really important in life.

Oh and the pictures turned out OK too.

Tee Ball - Priceless!

You have to love the determination and drive. The passion for the game and the admiration of the fans. Few places combine the pure joy of the sport an the perspective of what matters most than at the local Tee Ball game.

We had a great time. Recommended (Should be required) attendance for all.

Many a lesson of life can be taught at a Tee Ball Game. Go check one out at your earliest opportunity.

Thanks for sharing such a fun game with us Nathan.

Kaylene In Concert with a Choir

Kaylene when to the choir concert to night to get ready. And ready she was when they handed her two more pieces she had never seen. She is amazing. Sight reading the music flawlessly.

Well the weather had other plans. As Jenna and I arrived We enjoyed watching the equipment get put away.

I finally found Kaylene as she was playing for some of the specialty acts. They were enjoyable. The group then performed several of their numbers. Turns out there were a few guest in from out of town. Rather than have them miss it completely the choir had a mini concert for a few in the green room.

Kaylene played and the singers sang. All was good in the world despite the buckets of water pounding the building outside.

In the end they get to do it all over again next week 8pm Layton Amphitheater.

In the end the ducks were pretty happy and so were the participants.

UP Made me look around.

We went an watched UP. What a GREAT movie! I got me thinking a lot about the important things in life. Then Saturday Jenna and I went to the air show. All those people looking UP made me look down and around. It was fun what I found.

There are a ton of important things that happen when you get your feet back on the ground after watching UP. Go see the movie. Then you will know a little more about important things.

Enjoying those moments when we are up!

Some days it is just the best to have a tramp in the back yard.

Just after dinner... doing the dishes and ... you look up and see things are perfect. The sun is at their back and you get that cool back lite hair look. They are a bouncing quite nicely. I wonder if I can get them hair in the air without getting caught. (Once the kids see the camera they are never their natural selves.)

Sneak to the door... raise the camera.... compose the shot.... capture the moment... see what you got. Hey, not too bad for the first and only click. In the air... sun lite hair... joy of childhood all in a single moment.

Do you get the idea that having a tramp in the backyard at times is the best. To feel the joy and delight of taking flight. Reaching for the stars and dreams before you discover the distance required to reach them.

Oh, that everyday we could see the UP in our up and down lives!