Old Folks

Boston has always been a place of history. From the days of the Colonists through the American Revolution, there were brave people who lived and died there. Now we have seen a new kind of bravery with the bombings that took place during marathon. There were so many heroic people who rushed to the aid of the injured and who ran, not away from, but toward those in need of help. The tragedy played out but the heros among us rose to the occasion, as they always do. I am thankful that there are still selfless good people in the world.

It is actually a good thing that Jim did not want Gramps/Dad to come back down to Needles because he is not getting better very quickly even though the doctor warned him that it might be five to seven days before he felt really well again. I thought that he would bounce back as normal.  (Although, after all of the sinus infections I have had over the years, you would think I might not really expect that.) I always know when he is really sick because he lets me wait on him. Better than that, he actually wanted to go to the doctor. Today he seems quite a bit better but did not go to church. He did read from his scriptures and read the last letters from the missionary grandsons. He had a quiet day which is most unusual for him.

I have a new goal: go to bed before midnight. I seem so antsy to myself that I decided I maybe needed to stop burning the candle at both ends. So I will be brief and then get to bed. My other goal, to enjoy each day as it unfolds has been good for me. I spend too much time worrying about things that I cannot change and not enough worrying about the things I can. So, I reason, I will enjoy each day with gratitude for being alive. I have enjoyed just being with Dad/Gramps and just being thankful that we can still know who we are. Some of the folks I work with at the care center on Sundays are not that lucky. Some of them, for example, have trouble finding the pages of the hymn though they still can sing the words. It worries some of the residents that they do not have the right page  but they have all the words tucked away somewhere at any rate and do not need the page at all. But, I go around and find pages for them so they will be happy. Most of them are only 10 years older than I am.  Really. They are 82 or so and I am 72. I hope that my mind holds out longer than theirs have. Of course, some of the folks I work with at the temple are fine and are in their late 80s. I wonder what really makes the difference?

When President Monson spoke to the young women at their special meeting he said: “Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more, and then one more after that, until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised: ‘Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life’ (3 Nephi 15:9)."

I enjoyed this comment from our lesson in Relief Society today. In my opinion, Lorenzo Snow was a prophet to pay attention to. "Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today. The temptations that perphaps partially overcome us today, let them not overcome us so far tomorrow. Thus continue to be a little better day by day; and do not let your life wear away without accomplishing good to others as well as to ourselves."

As you get old, you realize how some of the things you have put off will likely never get done. We can wear out lives away, as President Snow said, and not accomplish the good we planned. Soon our opportunity is gone and the plans we made when we were young are not accomplished. Now is the time to do what needs doing.

Lots of love,
Grammy and Gramps

Old comes quickly.

Gordon wrote: This is a message for us all.  We are all young at heart.  Some of us are old.  However, you young ones remember this.  Old comes quickly before we are
ready for it.  Therefore, it is time  right now to follow the advice in this video.

Enjoy it!  

You will love this message. Passed along from Gordon Smith. We should watch this everyday!!

Get it  onto full screen, sit back, relax and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popupfeature=player_embedded&v=FgBF3sIPm4c

From Grammy

Boston has always been a place of history. From the days of the Colonists through the American Revolution, there were brave people who lived and died there. Now we have seen a new kind of bravery with the bombings that took place during marathon. There were so many heroic people who rushed to the aid of the injured and who ran, not away from, but toward those in need of help. The tragedy played out but the heros among us rose to the occasion, as they always do. I am thankful that there are still selfless good people in the world. 

Last week, on Wednesday, Grandpa went to Needles, CA, to help Uncle Jim with the bees. Gramps got sick and drove home on Friday. He has a really bad sinus infection and, perhaps, the beginning of pneumonia. He is on a powerful antibitotic and is sleeping most of the time. He seems quite a bit better today but still not well enough to go to church. He did read his scriptures some today and was able to read your last letter to us. So that helped him spend a better Sabbath than he would have been able to do otherwise.

One of the reasons that he drove home was that he was afraid that he would make someone there, Jim, Jim's aunt, uncle or cousin, ill. The doctor said that none of what he has is contagious. I don't know if he could have stayed and worked anyway but he thinks he might have been able to. At any rate, Julie drove down Saturday morning with the kids. She cannot work with the bees but will be there to help if anything bad happens. 

Gramps was planning on going back on Monday but Jim said that his dad is coming so that will take care of Jim's problem. Phil, Jim's dad, can only stay until Wednesday so, I pray, they are all done. We go back to the temple this coming Friday if all goes well. The doctor said that it usually takes three to five days to get better. It is actually a good thing that Jim did not want Gramps to come down because he is not getting better very quickly. I always know when he is really sick because he lets me wait on him. Better than that, he actually wanted to go to the doctor.

So my whining about not liking being alone in my old age was in vain. Now I would sooner be alone than have Gramps sick and Jim's work load increased. I won't ever complain about that again. Alone is OK if everybody you love is OK. Besides, in the few days I was here by myself, I got the office cleaned up and got rid of quite a bit of junk in the storage room. That will still take a month or more of diligence but it is getting better.

When President Monson spoke to the young women at their special meeting he said: “Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more, and then one more after that, until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised: ‘Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life’ (3 Nephi 15:9)."

I enjoyed this comment from our lesson in Relief Society today. In my opinion, Lorenzo Snow was a prophet to pay attention to. "Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today. The temptations that perphaps partially overcome us today, let them not overcome us so far tomorrow. Thus continue to be a little better day by day; and do not let your life wear away without accomplishing good to others as well as to ourselves."

As you get old, you realize how some of the things you have put off will likely never get done. We can wear out lives away, as President Snow said, and not accomplish the good we planned. Soon our opportunity is gone and the plans we made when we were young are not accomplished. Now is the time to do what needs doing. 

We are thankful that you are able to bless the lives of others by serving them as a missionary. We pray that you will find those who are seeking the truth. Remember to let the Spirit convert you to the truth as well as those you are teaching.

Lots of love, 

Grammy and Gramps

We Hope You Are OK, Gordon.

Myrna wrote: We saw you in the elevator when we were taking Julie's son to the pediatrician. Are you OK?

 

Gordon Smith wrote: That was our son Kelly.  He has had back problems for several years.  He has had two surgeries in the past, but problems have persisted.  He was going to a pain center.  They had the pain at the lowest it has been for years.  Then he had two accidents on the freeway while coming home from work in Midvale.  They were both during the time of all the freeway construction.  The first one was not so bad, but the second one was pretty serious.  He was stopped for traffic which had been required to stop in front of him.  He looked in his rear view mirror and could see the man coming behind him was looking down at something. That man, who was going at a good rate of speed, did not look up until just before hitting Kelly.  Since that accident Kelly was starting to lose the use of his left leg.  Doctor Gaufin performed surgery on him last Friday.  He fused lumbar vertebra three, four, five, and his sacrum.  He has two rods and eight screws two inches long in his back  now.   He has been in much pain.  However, the pain is getting to be less.  He is also walking better.  We are confident he is going to heal completely.

 

Thanks for caring.

 

Lots of love,

Gordon 

Myrna wrote: How awful for him to be in such a bone-jaring accident when he was already suffering. I only hope that the surgery is successful in releaving all of the pain and in repairing all the damage so that he can live to the fullest. It is terrible to be so young and to have to suffer every step.

I don't know if you remember or not, but when I was a teen I fell down a flight of stairs and mangled my spine and hip. I was grateful to walk again. I have had bouts with pain off and on through the years. I am fine now, knock on wood, but I can offer a great deal of sympathy for him.

Tell him that we are hopeful that all will be well for the future. Tell him that we send our love and concern.

We love you all. 

 

Two Sundays

Last Sunday, we had the privilege of going to Provo to see Kyle ordain Matthew to the Aaronic Priesthood. Kyle then helped orient Matthew to passing the Sacrament so that he was able to pass for his first time. Kyle also, as a priest, blessed the sacrament. We were also able to witness Bradon being released from the bishopric in his ward and see him sustained and, later, set apart as the new stake executive secretary. Bradon's parents had stayed over, so they were there for both events. Afterward, we went to AnnMarie's for good food and good company. Shawn, Kimberly and Sorina joined us there. It was fun that the Howards put on an impromptu musical program. Braden even joined in for one of the songs. It was very nice to be there and be part of all of the joy and of a good family time.

On Saturday, after we finished at the temple, we went to Lone Peak High School and watched Maddie perform with the winter guard. They are the groups who twirl flags, rifles and swords while dance/marching. It was very well-done. We can all be proud of our girl. She is skilled and graceful.

On Thursday, we went up to Timpanogos High School and watch Kyle perform with the Timpview High School Symphonic Band at region. It was a great concert. We also met Braden in Provo and took him out for his belated birthday dinner. He took us to an exhibit at the Y which we really enjoyed.

We were also able to travel to Hurricane and watch Donovin be awarded the arrow of light award. He was only one of three boys in his fairly large LDS troop to earn the award. You scouters all know what an achievement that was. David smoked a pork loin roast with applewood and it was so very good. We had salads and Bree's homemade beans and strawberry shortcake. By the time we got to the meeting we were all very full of great food. Donovin said he plans to keep on scouting. He is also playing baseball. Erin is playing softball.

The morning we went to the care center in our ward. The Squire family had the program but, as our year-long mission assignment, we organize the weekly event. The meeting was very tender for me. Gramps says he always feels the spirit when he is there. I can see why. All 14 of those who attend our Sacrament meeting (one brother was in the hospital with complications of pneumonia and one sister had been picked up by her daughter for the weekend), are people who have been stalwarts in the church all while we have been in Nephi. They all have been active in the community as well, one is a former county treasurer, one a county commissioner and school board member, and all are such good people. One lady, Norma Sherwood, is 103 and still leads the music. She used to write for the newspaper when I first moved to Nephi. I started writing soon after. She was always good to me. Well, they all were. Here they are unable to care for themselves and in a place where they are loved but are not going to live much longer. All are there because they require more medical help on a daily basis than their families can provide. 

Two new-to-our-ward young people spoke in our Sacrament meeting and discussed the power of the resurrection. The brother works for the sheriff's office in Utah County and commutes with our neighbor who also works the same place. We had a combined meeting today with the Relief Society and the priesthood. What a great meeting. We talked about a new program our mission president for our mission has adopted. It is a 21-day program where we each pray for people that we prayerfully select. We ask Heavenly Father to help prepare them for our invitation to attend Sacrament meeting with us on a given date--this one is in May. This will be our second time to participate, as a ward, in the program. We heard one conversion story as part of the meeting. Then the bishop showed us the video, which has gone viral on Mormon Messages, featuring part of the speech by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "None Were With Him." It makes me cry. I so appreciate the Savior of us all who, having never committed sin, took upon himself all the sins of the world that each of us might live as resurrected beings for all eternity.

This year, no one came here for Easter. We went to Julie and Jim's home for the meal. It was very good. Little Jens is such a treasure. He is not too certain that Grammy is worth much but he thinks that Grandpa is the best. We had a great meal, roast cooked just right, and all the trimmings. The fruit salad, with fresh strawberries, was good enough to be dessert but Julie had made cinnamon rolls. My rolls were a hit and I hardly have any left. That is a good thing because, tomorrow a.m., Gramps and Jim are going to California to work with the bees for a week.

We love you and are proud of you. You are doing such great work.

We also hope you got your packages, one for St. Patrick's day and  one for Easter.

Lots of love!

About Easter Plans

Myrna wrote:
Dear AnnMarie: If you and I would plan in advance, Dad and I could come to your place for dinner and would love to do so. Another time, let us know your plans a week before and we would be glad to join in. All we need is an invitation so that we do not intrude.

We have, since Jim and Julie moved from Nephi, alternated Sunday dinner. One week we go to her home and the next we come here. We are actually going there this week. Jim and Julie do not always eat with us on Sundays. It is not always the case that we get together. During the winter, we have gone an entire month without being together (January, for example). There are times when we each do our own thing. Dad and I do like each other and we can have time alone and enjoy each other's company. Who knows how much time we still have together to do that? When that happens, we fix a nice dinner for just us. But you know that Julie worries about us and is concerned that we may be lonely on a holiday. She would rather eat nails than think she was neglecting us. Jim's sister is going to be living with them this summer and sometimes his dad is there. That may mean that, as in the past, we will alter our dinner plans.

We will see you next Saturday for conference and our bi-annual night out. I have no idea who is planning to be there, but I am.

Tell Alyssa to hang in there. It is nice that she lives so close by that she can come for dinner and still have time to study. You are always so busy and your kids are of the age when they are needing to have your home to come to just as you used to have our home to come to. That is the way life cycles.

Eric and Amy are staying at their home also. Amy has to work at 8 p.m. and our church does not let out until 4 p.m. David and Bree are staying home because David is on call. Shawn and Kimberly and family are down south and are planning to stop by and say hello to David on their way back tomorrow.

Monday, Dad and Jim are going to California. They will be back on Thursday. Julie wants me to come over and stay but I am going to be here. I have a lot to get done. Would you like some ever bearing strawberry plants? I have a ton of them.

Easter?

Myrna wrote: Are any of you planning to come here for Easter? Just asking. (I know you out of state folks are, most likely, staying out of state.) At any rate, we would enjoy hearing from you as to what your plans are. If you are all eating at home, that is great. Great is whatever you do, just please let me know in advance. 

By the way, did you all get an Easter package and a St. Patrick's Day package?

Thanks, M

AnnMarie wrote: Alyssa can't go to Nephi because she is so busy getting ready for finals.  We will stay here so we may eat with her.  You are always welcome to join us when you aren't busy hosting a dinner there. 

Myrna wrote: That's what I thought. Is Braden joining you?

By the way, don't feel sorry for us. Julie and family said they would be here so we will not be alone. I remember, when Dad got older, he was always wishing that one of us or all of us would visit. He did have Laurel and Cydney there and they did spend gobs of time with him but he always wanted us to visit. I know, from my own experience, that the older the children in the family get, the harder it gets to visit anyone because they are all so busy. We are not feeling sorry about that. We are happy that we have raised you well and that you have made your families priorities in your lives. We are thrilled to be able to watch them achieve and we know that now your homes are becoming "Grandma and Grandpa's." We are great with the plan. We are both well and happy and are not "Sad Sacks" sitting around mourning and waiting to be included. Each day. my energy level is increasing. I will soon not tell any of you that I am 72 because it will not matter. I can outwork many women half my age and I can walk really, really fast. I enjoy that. Dad will live to be 110 and will be in good health every day. He is still able to, and enjoys, helping with the bees. So my question to all of you was only for a head count. If I plan on feeding eight and 20 show up, it will not be good. So enjoy your lives and invite us to your happy events and programs. We are well and happy.

Arbree wrote: We would love to come up but unfortunately david is on call like he is for almost every holiday. We love you and the family and will see everyone real soon.

Kimberly wrote: We will spend some time with David, Bree and family. We will be visiting that area for Easter.

And then it's winter

Part of the piece is this introduction. I did not write it. It came that way.

I first started reading this piece and was reading fast until I reached the third sentence. I stopped and started over, reading more slowly and thinking about every word. It is very thought provoking and makes you stop and think. Read slowly.

And Then It Is Winter

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.  I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is. . .the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast?  Where did the years go and where did my youth go?  I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is. My friends are retired and getting gray. They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me but I see the great change. These people are not like the ones whom I remember, who were young and vibrant, but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be!  Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day. And taking a nap is not a treat anymore--it's mandatory! 'Cause if I don't of my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit.

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!  But, at least I know that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, that when it's over on this earth, it's over.  A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done. Things I should have done, but didn't, and, indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done.  It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.  So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!  Life goes by quickly.  Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not.  You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. So live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to hear and remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.  Make it a fantastic one.
Live it well.
Enjoy today.
Do something fun.
Be happy.
Have a great day.

Remember that It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.

Life is too short to let even one day 
be frenzied or frazzled or frittered away.
Life is too short not to take time to do 
the things that will hold the most meaning for you.
So let yourself float like a leaf on a stream, 
relax with your memories, and let yourself dream.
Throw out your list that's impossibly long, 
and dance a few steps to a favorite song.
Turn off the news and go find someone real 
who'll listen and talk and affirm what you feel.
Life is too short and flies by if you let it, 
so choose what you want every day--and go get it.

Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be. So, enjoy this day while it lasts.

~Your kids are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect.
~Going out is good. Coming home is better.
~You forget names. But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you.
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything and especially golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep."
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
~You tend to use more four-letter words. "What?" "When?" ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless."
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have three sizes of clothes in your closet--two of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS.

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.


Myrna wrote: I was just feeling this way myself. I am now 72 and I really am in the winter of my life. 

Marti Wright wrote: You're only six years older than me.  We're STILL spring chickens!  I know what you mean though, there are days when I feel like I am 100!


Myrna wrote: I wouldn't feel so old but another classmate died recently. We had a class of approximately 350 and we are down nearly 50. A couple died during Viet Nam and several in accidents and of cancer and the like. However, most of the rest have died in the last couple of years.


Marti wrote: I had only gone to my 25th h.s reunion, and the 30th.  We have had classmates pass.  Our class was the largest that Astoria had ever seen back then.  We had around 250, give or take.  Not sure how many are left, but if any the one's that still are, if they are like they were in h.s.; they outlive us all!!   LOL.  They still acted like they were in h.s.....too much drama for me to handle then and now.

How is Lenoard doing?

Hugs to you both!


Myrna wrote: LHT had shoulder surgery three weeks ago. It was a success. Prior to that, he had his eyelids reduced so that he could keep wearing his contacts. Now he need catarac surgery and then he will be a new man. I have controlled the type 2 diabetes. I now weigh 120 pounds. Woo Hoo. :) It's too bad that I am all gray to go with it. I should have done the weight loss while I was young. Oh, well. Spilled milk and all that, right?

How are you?


Marti wrote: Am glad to hear the LHT's surgery was a success!!  I have the beginnings of a cataract in my right eye. Also have "dry eye" where it is red and itches, so have drops.  Its the pitts getting older.  You still feel like that 18 yr old kid inside, but your body just won't let you do what you want to do anymore.  Great news about the weight loss.  I haven't really been trying to loose weight but have. Am only 10 pounds heavier than I was in 1971, which is 140.  My mom was a diabetic, but was on pills only, no shots.  Dr said, it usually skips a generation.........so am thinking Kimberly may qualify, not sure, and sure hope it doesn't.  Had to get dentures and since I don't wear them to bed, I now have wrinkle lines all around my mouth.  Makes me feel ugly and old.  Just wish I had taken better care of my teeth when I was a kid.  I color my hair........its vain, I know.  But I have the very ugly dirty grey, if I don't.  My mom used to go have get a "blue rinse" so her ugly grey didn't look so ugly anymore.

Update on Helen's Health

Hello everyone,

This is Nanci, Helen's daughter.  I am writing per my mother's request.  

Helen fell and broker her patella 16 days ago.  There have been complications and as of 4:00 AM this morning, she has been admitted to IHC hospital, on State Street and 5300 South.   Helen was admitted with Cellulitis and a blood clot in behind her knee.  There is concern she has compartment syndrome and they are trying to rule that out this evening with an MRI.

As we all know, Helen is a very private person.  She was hoping to make a quick recovery and be back to her normal activities without causing anyone concern.   We believe she will be fine but the recovery is going to take longer than we would ideally like.

Helen is in the Tower room 821. 

Please pray for her and don't hesitate to contact me for any updates... 805-304-3733 or Nancidone@yahoo.com.

Have a great evening.

Nanci Trauntvein Done

Eyes

Myrna wrote: Pretty soon, LHT will be all new--from his head to his toes. He will get both of his eyes operated on sometime at the end of April. He has cataracts on both eyes and both are quite bad. It is no wonder that he has been complaining about his vision. The surgeon will meet with us soon and will set a date for the surgery.


Eva wrote: I am totally shocked.  Most Drs. spot cataracts right off the bat. My Dr. from Moran Eye Center found both of mine many years go when they were really small.  He watched them for five years and they never changed until my horrible back surgery and they either gave me too much oxygen or too much medication so that when I  checked out of the care center, I could not see to read a thing.  After a week or so, Claire took me up to Moran for an appointment.  Between the two things, my retinas were so swollen I could not even read the charts except the hugest numbers.   He gave me drops to shrink the swelling.  After two months, I could finally read again.  Richard just had his second one removed Monday and the first one two weeks ago.  His were caused from all of the chemo.  His eyes are doing well.  Oh, my the challenges we all face. God bless you. Love,  Eva  

Myrna wrote: Tim does go to the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City. They did spot his years ago but, for whatever reason, they have grown really quickly this past two years. Now it is time.