Flowers have returned and so have I

I don't know where the last few months have gone. I go outside to enjoy the blossoms of Spring and Summer and can't believe how fast the months pass by. I haven't posted on my blog for quite some time so I wanted to return to write a few thoughts. Every time I have written on my blog I try to send out thoughts and/or prayers with a lot of thought behind them, however today I just wanted to update my blog briefly. I read an email recently that said something like; "you wouldn't enjoy the Summer if you didn't have a Winter" and I think that's true with all aspects of life. In nature we welcome the sunshine and surf in the Summer because we experienced the rain and cold of Winter. The same applies to our life; we can enjoy and welcome good times after we have experienced trials. As we begin a new season of Summer, we can look back on the Winter we had and know that we have grown and enjoy the flowers of today and tomorrow.

Juxtaposition

I read a fascinating article yesterday about the inventions that Corning has been making. It featured amazing technological advances coming down the pike such as; windows that get lighter as the sun rises, stoves that heat up with just the touch of a finger, wall-sized televisions showing programming in 3-D, to name just a few. At the same time reading this I am also doing some research for an article I am writing. The subject matter of my article is enjoying down-to-earth economical activities in this tough economy. For this research I am reading a wonderful book by Sarah Ban Breathnach entitled, Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy. I read this book years ago but I was prompted to re-read it for this article and I am thankful to be reminded of the lessons it brings to the reader. The author tells of a time of difficult economy (much like we are experiencing today) but sheds inspirational light about the wonderful activities that families enjoyed together and the unworldly leisure time they spent with each other. As exciting and thrilling as the technological advancements that Corning and other companies are inventing to make our lives streamlined and more efficient, it is my prayer that this can be juxtaposed with the simple family time of yesteryear.

Wisdom in Your Years

I had the pleasure of traveling up to visit our kids and our grandson last weekend. When you drive by yourself, as I did, you can do a lot of thinking. I borrowed 2 CD's from my husband for the trip which were the Greatest Hits from Simon & Garfunkel. Many of the songs made me time-travel back to my youth but one of the songs I don't remember ever hearing them sing, which is called, That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine. I was driving down the Cajon Pass listening to the words of this song and the tears just flowed from my eyes without my control. I am adding them to this post because they struck such a chord with me. Children hurt their parents in one way or another---it's a given. I never really knew my biological father and my step-father was a quiet man so I relate more of the meaning of this song to my mom. I know that my rebellious childhood caused her heart-ache but by the grace of God I now have the opportunity as an adult to have a wonderful relationship with her. I love her so much and don't like to think of my life without her. As a parent now myself I have experienced pain caused by our kids as well and I pray that one day we will bond together like I now have done with my mom. Here are the words to the song that made me cry. I hope you have the chance to listen to Simon & Garfunkel sing the song. I'm glad the sun was setting when I was listening to these powerful words and that other drivers didn't see this weepy woman crying all by herself as she was driving.

That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine
In a vine-covered shack in the mountains,
bravely fighting the battle of time
is a dear one who's weathered life sorrows,
tis that silver-haired daddy of mine.

If I could recall all the heartaches,
dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear,
If I could erase those lines from your face
and bring back the gold to your hair.

If God would but grant me the power
just to turn back the pages of time,
I'd give all I own if could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

Oh, I know it's too late, dear old Daddy
to repay all those sorrows and cares,
though dear Mother is waiting in heaven
just to comfort and solace you there.

If I could recall all the heartaches,
dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear,
if I could erase those lines from your face
and bring back the gold to your hair.

If God would but grant me the power
just to turn back the pages of time,
I'd give all I own if could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

I'd give all I own if I could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

My prayer for this post would be to have wisdom in your years (whatever they may be) to cherish your loved ones, heal those hurts, and make each time spent with them full of love and gratitude for them. Please don't wait until it's too late.

"Letter Prints" from Loved Ones

Just as each of us has our own fingerprint, which identifies who we are, the same holds true with our handwriting, which I call "letter prints." Recently I was deeply touched and moved by discovering the handwriting of two loved ones who are no longer in my life.

My mom gave me her beautiful sewing machine a couple months ago because she does not sew any more. She knew how much I love and enjoy sewing so she gave it to me when my sewing machine froze up on me. As I was going through the drawers in the sewing cabinet to begin organizing notions, etc. I came across an envelope that my grandmother had addressed to my mom. At that very moment the tears flooded my eyes. Like fingerprints, her individual cursive writing identified that this was written by my sweet grandmother. I was the last of my 3 siblings to get married and my grandmother passed away 6 months before I got married. She worked hard all of her life and I don't have any recollections of ever seeing her with idle hands. She cooked, canned and did beautiful crochet. I remember many evenings as she sat in her chair in the living room crocheting. As we were going through her things after she passed away I found a beautifully wrapped wedding gift for me and inside was a crocheted tablecloth and napkins. I think of her every time I use this on my dining table. One of my regrets is that I never asked her to teach me how. Now that I am older I have started to crochet by myself but what I would give to have her sit beside me and teach me her craft. Seeing her handwriting on that envelope touched my heart like a warm caress from her hand across my cheek.

Then, last night I was going through some books. My mother-in-law was another dear sweet person in my life. We shared a lot of times together both in church and family gatherings. After she passed away I became a lucky recipient of some of her craft books. I sat down last night and decided to peruse a small stack of her books and there inside many of them were little notes that she wrote in her distinctive handwriting. Once again my heart was touched and seeing her notations brought tears to my eyes.

It is hard to describe the feelings that flooded me as I saw these handwritten words of loved ones who have left my life but it is a definite reminder that they had an impact on me and the memories I carry forward in my life. I loved these two women, I miss them very much and I am going to keep these "letter prints" as a cherished gift.

Happy New Year

I haven't posted on my blog for a while because my life has been a whirlwind of activity. I finished my accounting class, which I am happy to say I scored a 99% on the final and I'm glad I persevered and stuck it out. I hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law and was a sewing maniac making baby gifts and Christmas gifts. My husband, Mert, and I are now proud grandparents to a precious baby boy, Landon Merrill Foltz, and I must say that he is perfect in every way. Who knew that becoming a grandparent would be such a joy and the instant expansion of love you feel for this newest member of your family? Just holding this healthy beautiful boy brings back tender feelings I had when I held his father 27 years ago. I am now reflecting on this past year and express my gratitude for both the trials and the joys. I know that 2011 will be a wonderful year full of promise and possibilities.

Simply RetroGrand

I was made aware recently that one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, is celebrating it's 45th anniversary. Upon hearing this news I sat down and watched our VHS (remember them???) movie and was once again moved and reminded as to why this is such a wonderful, endearing, and classic movie. It was also brought to my attention that this movie won 5 Academy Awards. I could really go off on a tangent right now as to my thoughts on why I don't watch the Academy Awards any more (the Academy has gone downhill in my opinion) but I will save that for another forum. I chose the title of this post to remind the reader and myself of the simple times, in retrospect and how grand they really were. When a family could go to watch a movie, such as The Sound of Music, on a big screen. like I did with my family in 1965, and walk away feeling like we really could "climb every mountain." The messages in this classic movie speak to the good in all of us and if reminders of these qualities are presented with re-visiting this delightful musical, so much the better.

Advocate for Education

I was one of those "older" (or should I say more mature) graduates from college. It wasn't until my kids were in their teens that I went back to school to obtain my bachelor's degree. As such, I had not only a greater appreciation for my professors trying to teach the classes but also a greater appreciation for the learning process and the knowledge I was picking up in these classes. I am one of those students who absolutely loves school. With that in mind, I am back in school with some Adult Ed classes. One of the courses I am taking is computers, which absolutely fascinates me. My other class, however is Accounting and I have to say that I am struggling. I unfortunately do not operate on that side of the brain too well---math and science and accounting is indeed a science. As challenging as this course is for me though I am tenacious and I am not going to let it defeat me or my purpose. I am told that having this accounting skill will be appealing in the job market but aside from that I am determined to persevere. Thankfully we have wonderful instructors in this adult education system who are patient and supportive of their students trying to grasp everything they are teaching. I graduated from college in 2004 and have not gone back to school until this past spring in 2010. The moment I stepped back onto the campus I realized how much I missed the world of academia. I truly love learning new things and want to continue educating myself the rest of my life...no matter how difficult a course could be, like accounting.

Slipping Through My Fingers

I am a fan of the musical, Mama Mia, and enjoy the songs along with the cinema photography of the beautiful Greek island where the story takes place. One of the songs that never fails to bring tears to my eyes is, Slipping Through My Fingers. It is a song that the mother, Donna, sings to her daughter, Sophie, as they prepare for the wedding ceremony. The message of this song speaks of moments slipped by that they shared with each other and plans they had made, which never materialized. It is a powerful reminder to me to cherish moments shared with friends and family. Our 3 kids are now grown and living their own lives. I was an extremely lucky mother who had the honor and joy of being home with them during their growing up years but I realize that I let many moments "slip through my fingers" and there is no "going back" to recapture them...they are gone. It is my prayer that my kids come to this knowledge now so they can capture as much as they can with their own children. I have no regrets because I shared many happy times with my family...I could have shared more though. I try to practice this with my dear friends too. Each time we are together I love sharing laughter, wonderful talks and outings with them to tuck away in my heart and cherish. Life is comprised of moments and as they slip through our fingers we should use them wisely so we can reflect on them with joy and love.

Seasons

The weather man on our local news station announced on September 1, 2010, that this day starts the Fall season. I look out my window and smile as I see the sun shining and appreciate the summer (albeit very short this year) now ending. My husband's favorite season is the summer but unlike him every season is my favorite. Each season brings it's own variety of fruits, vegetables and holidays, to name a few. I am an eternal romantic so I embrace the "hibernating" instinct of cuddling indoors with a fire glowing in the fireplace with candles lit throughout the room. My spirit is calmed and soothed as I prepare cinnamon pumpkin bars in my kitchen. As our home is filled with the mouth-watering smell of Turkey baking in the oven I offer thanks for all of my blessings. My heart delights as I sing along to my favorite Christmas hymns. Yes, the years do pass along too quickly now but they also bring memories of joy and appreciation for each season to me.

My Books, My Friends

I saw a commercial last night for the Kindle, a wireless reading device. We are now offered this new technology of reading books on a small screen.

I am an avid fan of antiques and I enjoy being the custodian of these sentimental pieces of our past but I also love and enjoy using my microwave oven. I am a woman who lives in and appreciates both worlds--the past and the amazing inventions of the present. As much as I marvel at this new technology and way of reading on a small screen I don't think I will ever completely embrace this in lieu of physically touching my books---my friends. There is something so peaceful and calming as I sit down for my morning devotion and opening up my Bible to study the word of God. I love the tactile feel of the fine thin paper as I turn the pages in my Bible. It gives me pleasure to see the scriptures that I have marked with my red scripture pencil, which speak the messages for Susan. I thoroughly enjoy cuddling up in my favorite chair to peruse my inspiring decorating books with their colorful glossy pictures. Just like a well-loved friend my books bring comfort and feed my soul---the likes of which I don't think I'll find on a small screen. Our society is now speeding along accompanied with technological advances that affect our lives but there is something to be said about the simple pleasure of sitting down with a favorite book and visiting that friend on a more personal level by touching the pages again and again.

Chapters

One of the leisure activities I enjoy is reading. I can get really engrossed in a novel with memorable characters and a powerful story. Often times just before I fall into my REM sleep at night thoughts come to me, which on many nights I forget what they are by the next morning; however a couple nights ago the word "chapters" entered my mind. Just as chapters in a book take the reader along in the story, I related this to my life. I look back on the chapters in my life thus far and remember joy, teen-age angst, first love, true love, giving birth to our three beautiful children and raising them--each with their own chapters dove-tailing into mine. Now, as I enter a new chapter in my life I face a new set of trials but while I remember the trials of yesteryear I know that this chapter will have lessons and joy to cherish in its own unique way.

Cast Out Fear

Along our path of life we all encounter "bumps in the road" and upon reflection I have often allowed fear to visit me during those bumps in the road. I heard somewhere recently that fear is just the absence of faith so wouldn't it be prudent to cast out the fear to allow faith to grow? I had this question answered to me this morning as I studied Mark 9:23 where it reads; "Jesus said unto him, 'If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.'" Webster's defines believe as; to have religious faith. We must not, or in other words I must not, allow fear to hinder progression in life. I must foster faith with the belief that these "bumps in the road" are teaching moments and continue on my journey with joy.

In the Tablets of my Mind

In Romans 2:15, the Apostle Paul taught that we ourselves are a record of our life. In the March 8,1865 edition of the Deseret News, President John Taylor said, "The individual tells the story himself, and bears witness against himself...That record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind, that record that cannot lie will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges."

This profound lesson I learned in church yesterday has caused serious soul-searching for me as I reflect on my life thus far. I pray with a fervent and humble heart that the "tablets of my mind" will show a pleasing picture before God and his angels and those who shall sit as judges. I know I fall short but with the power of the Atonement and HIS mercy I pray I can repent and try to do better each day starting now.

Glad Passages

While enjoying my walk/jog this morning I had an epiphany. Recently, I have had reoccurring thoughts of my amazing Bishop that served in our ward when we first moved to San Clemente years ago. One of the reasons he was so impressive is because of his memorization of scriptures. He would be able to stand at the pulpit and recite scripture like no one I have ever seen. One of his practices that impressed on my mind was this clever idea he implemented in his life. He would carry around this key-ring like holder, which had little index cards of scripture he had collected over the years. Then, while he was in line at the bank or waiting for an appointment he would take this little ring out of his pocket and read them. This has enabled him to memorize a lot of scripture. I have been studying the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) every morning. This is where my epiphany came into play this morning. When I was exercising I thought of the classic movie, Pollyanna, which stars Hayley Mills. In this movie Pollyanna introduces the idea of Glad Passages to the town minister played by Karl Malden. Essentially Glad Passages are messages of Joy written throughout the Bible. When I was jogging this morning I felt prompted to begin my own key-ring like holder like my dear Bishop carried, containing my own Glad Passages, so-to-speak. I knew there were already scriptures in Matthew I wanted to write on these cards. I am very excited to begin this new project and I now have something new sitting beside my scriptures....index cards and a pen. I will write down the scriptures that speak to Susan and then when I am waiting in line somewhere I can take my ring out and feast on my own Glad Passages.

Land of the Free

I just returned from a program entitled, America: A Promised Land, and I wept because it was so powerful. Songs were performed, including all of the Armed Forces theme hymns, and I thought of all of the brave men and women who have fought to keep America the Land of the Free. The program ended with the lights going out in the room, the choir sang America the Beautiful accompanied by a PowerPoint slide presentation showing the landscape across America. I noticed that I was not the only one with tears flowing down my cheeks. I am a native Californian and have only been out of this gorgeous state a couple of times. It is my goal and my prayer to be able to visit and see this great country of ours instead of seeing pictures of it. As we celebrate the birth of the United States of America we must (and should) remember our fellow countrymen (and women) who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedoms we enjoy.

Prayer for Divine Vision

I marvel at different perspectives seen (or heard) from people. Yesterday at church I listened to two talks on the subject of love. As I was listening the message the spirit wanted me to hear was a powerful lesson for Susan, which has caused me to repent and to pray for more Divine Vision. A few weeks back I returned to an old email address I had a long time ago. I wanted to delete basically junk mail. I was surprised and saddened to find a message sent to me from one of my participants from a pool class I taught six years ago informing me that one of our dear friends (Mike) from that class had died. Not only did I feel sad for this sweet man's passing but I also felt regret for not responding to this participant until that very day when I went back into that old email address. I had often thought of Mike because even after I stopped teaching this class we would write emails to each other catching up on our lives. I periodically wondered why I had not heard from Mike but that was as far as I got....just thinking and wondering about him. The last three years have been challenging for me and my faith has been tried but I realized during these talks yesterday that my misery is no excuse for not having divine vision and leaving myself to serve others. My lesson yesterday struck a deep chord in my heart and it is my prayer that I can, and will, act upon the promptings I receive (regardless of any personal trials I may be facing) and serve HIS children with the love HE has given me.

Sanctuary

May I suggest to the reader to find sanctuary somewhere in your home. I have found that my sanctuary (or my secret place) is of great importance in my day-to-day living. I go to this place, light a candle, and I sit and pray and just meditate while gazing into the soft candlelight. Sometimes this can only be for a few minutes while other times I have perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes. The thought I would like to share with you though is how calming this small ritual has become in my life. This simple action gives me pause to center myself and just "Be."

Thoughts to Accompany that Smile

I read recently that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile so if that's the case, shouldn't that be a goal of ours to smile more often? I walk-jog every morning and while I am exercising I use this opportunity to pray. After reading this article on smiling I have decided to really concentrate on smiling (even during the grueling hill I must climb in our neighborhood). Now, you may wonder; "What kinds of happy thoughts can I form to accompany this smile?" I will share with you some that I incorporate like; "I am thankful I have this body to exercise," or "I enjoy the sound of the birds greeting me this morning," or "I am thankful I have eyes to see this beautiful sunrise." While driving my car and smiling I think thoughts like; "I love this music playing on my CD player," or "How much I love my family," or "How grateful I am to have such incredible friends." It's really amazing how these two simple things; smiling and thoughts can change your perspective of the day. In my morning prayers, I always ask that I can be "wise with my moments" because that's what we truly have...are moments and I am finding that since I have begun this practice of smiling and uplifting thoughts it has improved my outlook. Try it and see if it makes a difference in you and share your thoughts with me if you would like.

Weeding in the Garden

Just as weeding is a constant activity in the garden, the same truth applies to life. I must focus on pulling the weeds of; negative thoughts, anger, frustration or anxiety in order to allow the flowers of; contentment, gratitude, peace or joy to bloom.

Welcome to my Garden

For as long as I could remember I have loved the Stargazer Lily. I love it for it’s most heavenly fragrance and it’s gorgeous beauty, not to mention it’s name because I love gazing at the stars and pondering this beautiful world created for us. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that my name, Susan, means lily so the name of this blog represents me, Susan, and also my favorite flower.

Why “thought and prayer?” I refer to Galatians 6:7 where it reads; “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” In keeping with lilies and a garden theme of thoughts and prayers, I wanted to send out (or sow) seeds of uplifting thoughts and prayers to the readers. It is my humble prayer that you will be able to leave my blog with a peaceful heart and uplifted spirit.