Making of a HERO

From boy to man I watch you grow, as you shape into the man you are destine to become.

As you select heroes of your boyhood choice, you pick heroes due to their strengths, the strengths and character you wish to take on.

Mind you... there are heroes who are among us even in our every day lives, never looking for glory or praise. They don't seek recognition for their thoughtful and caring ways. Heroes live lives of deep commitment, providing for those they hold dear. Steadfast with a quiet strength through times of laughter and tears. A hero is bold and brave in times of need.





Strong, humble, protective, brave, committed, kind to all.
You see my son, you too are learning what it takes to be a true hero.

Give Said The Little Stream

“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still.”

Chorus
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”

“Give,” said the little rain,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little rain,
As it fell upon the flow’rs;
“I’ll raise their drooping heads again,”
As it fell upon the flow’rs.

Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:
For God and others live.






The morning of May 14, 2009 My sister and friend, Lisa passed from this life to the next. As the mourning for her loss filled my heart, this was the song entered my mind. I remember as a child this was a song Lisa and I both loved, being young I never understood what it really meant. The meaning of the song truly came to life for me over the past few days.

How a simple song can have such meaning…
Lisa too taught in simple ways,
Lisa taught by perfect example of what it was to be happy and giving. It was little things that would put a big beaming smile on her face or cause her to laugh.

I made a list of the things that made Lisa most happy, how simple this list is.

1.Lisa LOVED doing dishes, yes this is factual ask anyone of my family members. She would get so excited about doing dishes when she would come to our house, and feel some disappointment if there were no dishes or if I insisted doing them. Maybe it was more about the service and her gift to you that she loved more than anything. This most recent week she was coming to stay for several days, so to please her I went out and bought her a whole thing of dish soap for her to use as much as she would like, she was so tickled.



2.Birthday’s, Lisa looked forward to her birthday more than anything else in the whole year and would start her count down from January all the way to her birthday in Dec. sometimes growing up my Mom would have a birthday for her in the summer, just because she loved her birthday so much. Also, Lisa may not have remembered your name, but she could always remember your birthday.

3.Crayons and LOTS and LOTS of paper, just plain paper. She would draw and color for hours as part of her daily routine. Her drawings were always made with happy thought and for the people she loved most. It was clear by her drawings of rainbows, flowers, trees, and our extra tall portraits that she was surrounded by a lot of love and saw the world as a beautiful place. Months ago I tucked this one away knowing that there would soon be a day this would be a great treasure. Again, another way she served with love, in her special way.

4. Lisa could never fully read, but she loved her scriptures and would try so hard to learn and study them. I believe full-hearted she can now read and that there will be so much for her to communicate to me when I see her again. If the scriptures were so cherished and important to her, maybe that’s something for me to think about.

5.Church, anytime Lisa would stay at our house she would bring her church clothes and ask me if we were going to church. Lisa loved church, especially Primary. The last Sunday she was here on Earth, I felt impressed to go with Jason and Jessica to the church, also where Lisa attended. It was Mother’s day and all the darling primary children got up to sing and there in the middle of the entire primary Lisa stood out like an angel. My heart smiled warmly as I watched her, she could not sing all the words but her spirit shone so bright.

Lisa did give o’ give like the little stream, she was small but wherever she went life grew sweeter still. Lisa’s heart sang all day long with happiness for life and the people she loved. Lisa your mission here was great and from you we learn many life lessons, yes there is something all can give.

PS- Save me a spot in heaven and make sure they let me through the Pearly Gates. I Love You!

Petals and Madame Butterfly

My sister and I had a chance to see Madame Butterfly, an outstanding performance.

As the opening introduction took place I was so enthralled, never had I seen ballet performed in such a modern and abstract way. Brilliant costume colors and dramatic body movements,lively shadows danced like a silk scarf in the wind- all so oddly clever.

The ballet always gives me the sensation of chills. The only thing I can explain, is that it feels such a part of me as I watch the beauty of the dancers and hear the music of orchestra. I feel so moved...

As I watched the stage and the young and graceful dancers, I took notice of the old woman dozing off to sleep in the seat beside me. Most attendees in the audience were of senior age. I sat in my velvet seat in the ornate theater. The story of Madame Butterfly began to unfold in such a way, it came to life. My breath was shallow and I dared not blink. I discovered depth and meaning in this story and my surrounding. I couldn't help but to formulate thoughts.

Each stage of life is like a blooming flower- from a tender bud springs an incredible bloom, soon to become wilting petals that eventually fall.

Youth goes from barley a bud, to a graceful bloom, gently fragile petals will age and fleet.

Creating a family, children grow as precious dainty buds, with careful pruning and shaping they bloom. And then with time they flutter windward like petals in a warm Summer breeze.

Talents, love, religion, careers, wealth all follow suite but, each time old petals fall new buds sprout and blooms array constant within.