Skip to main content

Ten Things of Thankful: Life, Death, and Taxes Edition

This is going to be a stream of consciousness post, and I apologize in advance for the rambling nature of it.  Even though I am participating in the A to Z challenge this month, I'm recycling old posts.  I went on vacation with John and youngest daughter for almost 2 weeks, and left the computer at home.  I've been unplugged for the most part, and have enjoyed living in the moment, but have also felt detached from my online friends.  So many thoughts are rattling around in my brain, from light-hearted vacation posts, to deeper, I-must-be-getting-old-because-everyone-is-dying posts.  I want to have something significant and elegant to say, but my jet-lagged brain had to do a google search to come up with the phrase "stream of consciousness," so a polished post is not going to happen.  I guess the gist of my thoughts is summed up in the statement by Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  "We can choose to be grateful, no matter what." We know that death (and taxes, according to the old axiom) are certainties in life.  I have found myself thoroughly enjoying what youngest daughter dubbed "the best vacation ever" while simultaneously carrying sadness in my heart.  In happy times and in sad, gratitude and love triumph. 
Photo:  John, youngest daughter, and I sit on the lawn outside the Orlando, Florida temple


My uncle died just before we left on vacation. While we were gone, my grandma was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.  (Six people in her wing of her care facility have passed away in the past 10 days.) The woman who taught my daughters (and me, for a while) violin lessons passed away, and her memorial service is tomorrow.   A man in our church ward died yesterday.  

Youngest son celebrated his birthday this week. Twenty-three years ago, we didn't know if he would even survive birth.  
Photo: Tiny youngest son is dwarfed by John's hand
Sunday, John and I will celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary. We have shared sorrows and joys, and continue to do so.
Photo:  Youngest daughter covers her eyes, as John and I steal a kiss at Disney World

We just returned from Florida, where we visited Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Kennedy Space Center.  We walked around the grounds of the Orlando Temple.  We swam in the hotel pools, ate tasty food (that I didn't have to prepare nor clean up), and generally just enjoyed being together.  

 I won't enumerate this week, but I'm thankful for memories--both past and being-made-now, associations with good people, life, family, and, of course, John.  


Pin It


Ten Things of Thankful


 Your hosts


Comments

  1. shortybearApril 22, 2016 at 6:23 PM

    sorry about your uncle dear. will be praying for your grandmother. hope your son enjoys his birthday, and that you have a blessed anniversary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 22, 2016 at 11:02 PM

      Thank you. Prayers are always appreciated. :-)

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 22, 2016 at 10:46 PM

    Wow, sorry about the losses.I too will say a prayer or 8 for your Grandmother... Sounds like you guys had a great vacation for it to be the best ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 22, 2016 at 11:03 PM

      There just seem to be a lot in a little space of time. Thanks for the prayers.
      The vacation was a blast. I have a hard time picking favorites, but we certainly had fun.

      Delete
  3. GirlieOnTheEdgeApril 23, 2016 at 7:57 AM

    I couldn't agree more. With the statement by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
    I'm so sorry Kristi that your joy was laced with sadness. Such juxtopositions -enjoying being in the moment of a great vacation while carrying the sadness of loss. I am sorry about your Uncle's passing and will say a prayer for your Grandmother.
    Happy Belated Birthday to your son! A miracle for sure. Look at how tiny he was!
    To you and John. Enjoy your anniversary!
    Isn't that the best? Eating but not having to cook or cleanup. That is one of the best things about going on vacation lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 23, 2016 at 9:25 AM

      Juxtopositions--that's another word that escaped my jet-lagged mind, but that perfectly describes the situation. Thanks for the prayers; they are always appreciated.
      Even though I was there, I am always amazed looking back at photos just how little youngest son was. His existence truly is a miracle.

      Delete
  4. MayApril 23, 2016 at 3:21 PM

    Love that last photo! Always fun to make the kids cringe!
    The Temple is lovely.
    And loss...doesn't it seem like some seasons have far more than there share of it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 23, 2016 at 3:50 PM

      Yes. I just got back from the memorial service, and am feeling happy to have known such a talented woman, and sad, especially for her family who miss her so much.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousApril 23, 2016 at 4:35 PM

    (I'm with May.... loved the last photo)
    Congratulations! on the Anniversary!

    "This is going to be a stream of consciousness post, and I apologize in advance for the rambling nature of it. not too rambly although I would argue that the is the fun (or writing and reading SOC posts), you never know what's coming up.
    Vacations are good, coming back to your home has to be a good feeling also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 25, 2016 at 9:02 AM

      Thanks. Yes, while I love vacations, it is nice to be home, too. Drexel certainly was glad to have us back (though he loved the people who looked after him, too.)

      Delete
  6. Michelle LiewApril 24, 2016 at 4:41 AM

    I am so sorry to hear about the passing of important people in your life this week. it looks as though you are having a good time otherwise, though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 25, 2016 at 9:03 AM

      Thank you. Happy and sad are all together.

      Delete
  7. KimberlyApril 24, 2016 at 6:12 AM

    I am holding you in my heart and in my thoughts.
    I'm glad though that you were able to take that vacation. It looks like you had a good time. That picture is absolutely darling and priceless.
    Happy birthday to your son as well.
    Again, I am truly sorry for your loses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 25, 2016 at 9:05 AM

      Thank you. It has been a sweet, tender time.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousApril 24, 2016 at 6:13 AM

    A post full of joy, sorrow, love and hope. Your live-streaming consciousness is LIFE. Happy anniversary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 25, 2016 at 9:05 AM

      You are right--it is life. And I'm thankful. :-)

      Delete
  9. UnknownApril 25, 2016 at 10:28 AM

    Condolences for your losses... Glad you had a nice vacation <3

    ReplyDelete
  10. ChristineApril 25, 2016 at 7:48 PM

    I am so sorry there was so much sadness in such a short time. I'll especially be praying for your grandma.
    I have been so out of the loop. I haven't talked to anyone, online or in person, in soooo long. I didn't even know you were going out of town, let alone to Disney! No doubt you had a blast. Can't wait to hear what you think about the difference between the two Disneys. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 26, 2016 at 5:44 PM

      Thank you for your prayers.
      I've been out of the loop, too. Thank you for your Disney tips--we followed several of them (on-site hotel, photo package). Yes, we had a blast! I'll have to do a "compare the Disneys" post sometime.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousApril 26, 2016 at 7:48 AM

    You have my prayers, especially for your grandmother.
    Love the last photo and why am I not surprised you went to Disney? :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 26, 2016 at 5:45 PM

      Thanks for the prayers.
      You must know me. :-)

      Delete
  12. KristiApril 26, 2016 at 5:51 PM

    Yes, I do have hope. Somehow the happy/sad contrast makes everything sweeter and more precious.

    ReplyDelete
  13. DonnaApril 28, 2016 at 5:45 PM

    Happy Anniversary!

    I am sorry for your losses.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownApril 29, 2016 at 11:33 AM

    I am truly sorry for all your losses -- kind of a stressful week but at least you had your anniversary to brighten it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Conversations are so much nicer when more than one person does the talking. :-) Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts; I'd love to hear from you!

Popular posts from this blog

Ten Things of Thankful: Live from Oregon, part 2

stock photo of old computer monitor When I was 10 or 11, I remember sitting next to my dad in our living room and reading computer code to him as he entered it into an Apple computer. We would finish the exercise and he would hit enter (or was it "run"?) and wait expectantly for the green type to appear on the screen. If we were lucky, the whole conversation would occur. Most often, there would be an error either in my dictation of the code, or in the typing of the code. We would then go painstakingly back through the lines, character by character, to find and correct the error. After what seemed like hours (and might have been), we would succeed and the computer would finally run the entire program. It was magical! My dad designed and built an earth-sheltered, passive solar home decades before solar panels were commonplace. He also was on a 9-month waiting list for a Prius, when hybrids were not seen on every street.  While my dad is definitely on the cutting edge of technol...
5 comments
Read more

Monday Mentions: Equate Crutches

Have you ever needed crutches? I hadn't, until a week ago.  I'm pretty sure I strained a muscle while running a half-marathon.  (That sounds kind of cool, doesn't it? I'm not actually that cool; the last time I strained a muscle it was from carrying too many shopping bags at once.) In any case, I found myself in need of some crutches. I sent my husband to the store to get some. Photo: A pair of crutches leans against a wall  Not that crutches are all that complex, but because I hadn't used any before, I wondered if I could figure out how to adjust them to fit me properly. I shouldn't have worried. John came home from Walmart with their generic store brand of crutches, complete with instructions. First, I needed to take out a long bolt that went through the hand grip. Then I needed to find my height range, push down two metal pieces, and slide the crutches until the little metal pieces came up in the hole near my height range. (Having two people for this...
4 comments
Read more

What a Wonderful World! (An #AtoZChallenge Post): Z is for Zion National Park

  Visitor Center sign in Zion National Park My husband recently re-retired, and we are front-loading travel. My #AtoZChallenge posts this year will explore our adventures--some pre-retirement, some post. Today's location: Zion National Park in Utah.  Zion is a bit of a shibboleth. People from outside of Utah (or those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) tend to pronounce Zion as "ZIE-on." Locals (or tourists who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) use more of a schwa sound, pronouncing Zion to rhyme with lion. However you choose to pronounce it, it is an amazing, beautiful national park and has some amazing hikes. The last time my husband and I visited Zion National Park, we entered from the east, and traveled through the mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. It is an engineering marvel, completed in the 1920s. Before we passed through the tunnel, though, we spotted a group of bighorn sheep, including some babies...
8 comments
Read more