Last Party with Brit 2007

Well all of the posts about Brit have got me thinking. I remember our last holiday get togethers before she left for the land of bananas and stinky fish . There was lots of arm wrestling, not sittin on Santas lap we had to be careful because Mick had been recovering from a heart problem so mom didnt want us to sit on his lap. Mostly I remember Brit and the camera. EVERYWHERE! Shehad tons of pictures taken with her next to someone she loved. I dont really have this fabulous memory, Ginger has that. I do have little snap shots of poignant moments in life trapped in my memory banks. However Brit did a computer dump on my free space agent . Because she is one "just in case,.. lets be sure girl." So we protected her precious stuff, before she left. These are some of her last pictures that Im taking liberties with her captured moments of those days .

Below is my favorite picture .

I love it because everything is written on Wendys face; in fact I look at it and I start to cry. How can something so good hurt so bad?? I am very fond of tears. Mine embaress me because my children automatically look down the isle at me when the primary children sing at church or when I hear Come thou Fount of Every Nation. Icry at any event where a persons true potental shines. Track meet, school play , swimming lessons, or pre school graduation. I dont much care if I know ya either I will cry for a stranger who wins the Tour de France.Tears are the truest expression of our vulnaribility as humans. What other living organism does that. I love... tears of loss and grief, tears of sorrow for mis deeds, tears of jubilation. Tears of gratitude are my personal favorite because I litteraly feel my heart almost swell with this intensity of how blessed I am. Its better that any pain killer because I can feel nothing but warm and gentle love. Love without judgement or concern for the pains that have been or will be in my life. It is an all encompassing expression to cry tears of gratitude. So I will be there on the 12th to watch my favorite tears fall. I will bring Wendy a white hanky to catch them in because they are that priceless. There are few moments in our life when the world slows and we see the full fruitful vision of our efforts. Thank you Brit for honoring your good parents with the blessing of such moments.

America The Beautiful

When I was a teenager I would walk or ride my bike nearly everywhere. The stroll down 27th was particularly sootheing to me. Living in the country offers many well kept images. When I walked to Sheri's house I would sing the words I could remember of this song.

Oh beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain!America! America! God shed His grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea!

I really felt the words of that song because my walk was snap shots from the lyrics. The distant mountains in a dimming light were purple the plots of ground were covered in wheat and hay stirring in a breeze and the sky was so clear you could see a giant blanket of blue to the horizon. Iwas certain their was no place more peaceful and lovely as my Burley farm lands. Since then I have seen many beautiful snapshots that make me particularly greatful for the Land I love. I demand my right to purchase strawberry's where the produce is fresh and cheap. I repeat Sabbath Days of personal worship reading my scriptures and listening to the Mormon Tab as loud as I want and where I choose. Im certain that I will educate my children at the Charter school because they do things Im more in agreement with. I go to a job where I can complain in the halls about the bureaucracy I work for. I sleep with my windows open and the securitry of a firearm if I want it. Most days Im not a very greatful steward of my freedom. But on the 4th I am lovingly reminded as my family gathers around a picnic table, and children play in the fresh water of a sprinkler. Im thoughtfully reminded at a patriotic service full of encouragement and praise of this country . Im humbly reminded as I stand at attention and clap for men in uniform carrying a flag. When I go to bed I will prayerfully be reminded of the pleasures of a day in a promised land. I hope you have a wonderful day in a blessed country.