Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
My Dad
This is the talk I gave at my father's Memorial Service, March 14, 2013:
I have many, many happy memories of my dad. They bring me comfort as I say goodbye to him for now. It makes me happy to know I’ll see him again and to know he’s watching over my mom from the other side.
One of my earliest memories of my dad shows how he was. I was little and we were off doing errands, just the two of us. This was before seatbelts, and I had this idea that if I knelt on the seat than everyone would think I was a grownup. I told my dad this. He didn’t laugh, but very seriously agreed with me. Said I did look grownup. I was so proud of myself. Of course I didn’t, but Dad didn’t burst my bubble.
When I was little and my parents would go out, we always knew. They would buy us TV dinners, get a babysitter, and they would dress up. My mom would wear a dress and heels that would click on the floor as she walked, and my dad would wear a suit and tie.
So when I was little and a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl they would hold an annual Father-Daughter Dinner. When I was about 7 and going to my first one, my dad dressed up in a suit and tie. For me! For a little 7-year-old girl. I don’t remember anything about that dinner but I do recall quite clearly how that made me feel. To show such respect and love to a small child is, I think, a reflection of Christ’s love. The Lord loves children and so does my dad.
He was good about playing along. When Cheryl and I were little if we wanted to pretend we were horses, then okay -- we were horses. Of if we were in the pool and playing we were dolphins, okay -- we were dolphins! As long as we were having fun Dad played along too.
He liked to get involved in things with us. One time he and my sister Cheryl got into candle making. They had a great time, got very creative and made candles every free moment they could. And we had candles everywhere! Everyone got candles for Christmas that year, and anyone who wanted one got one.
Dad encouraged me to study music. He bought me a flute which was a great expense. He never complained, never threw it in my face when I didn’t practice. He and mom went to every concert. When I was scared about going into high school and joining the marching band, he made a deal with me: just try it for a year and see. My parents were super band boosters and attended every single football game my entire high school career ... every parade and event they were there. And he was right. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Dad loved music. I grew up hearing show tunes, Doris Day, Harry Belafonte, Scheherazade, and so forth. And he loved to sing and had a lovely voice. One year he was asked to perform the song Let There Be Peace On Earth at a Camp Fire Girl Council Meeting, and he was fantastic!
His love of singing often had him bursting into song. One time he had us all learn the lyrics to a song from the Walt Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. After we learned it he would lead us in singing it when we were out in the car, camping, playing games, whatever. To this day I can remember most of those lyrics.
He also liked to make up his own song and sing popular songs of the day. One distinct characteristic about Dad is that he mixed up words and names.
For example, there was a store in San Jose that had an amazing Christmas display in their front window every year. Everyone would go to Brueners to see it, but we went to Beeners. He and Mom went to see a play. While everyone else watched Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat, my dad saw Joseph and His Multi-Colored Smoking Jacket.
I want to share a story of my dad’s mixing up words that I love, and it is so him! He and Mom were living in Maryland and Christmas was approaching. My mother was into Estee Lauder then, and liked to wear the perfume White Linen and the dusting powder Private Collection. Dad called me to find out about them because he wanted to get her some. He decided on the powder. I told him to go to a high end department store and find the Estee Lauder counter, letting him know the clerk could get it for him.
A few days later he called to tell me that the store didn’t have the powder.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I did what you said, and asked the woman for Command Performance and she said they didn’t sell that product,” he told me. “She said it was a hair salon.”
“Command Performance is a hair salon,” I agreed. “The powder is called Private Collection.”
He was very upset, and I suggested he write it down to help him remember the name.
“I don’t need to write it down!” he said.
But a few days later I got another call. Again he’d been told that Estee Lauder didn’t sell a product called Command Performance, which was a hair salon.
“Do you want me to buy it and mail it to you?” I asked.
“No!” he cried. “I can do this. What’s it called again?”
Well a few days later I got a call from my mother. We were talking about this and that when she said, “The strangest thing happened with your father the other night.”
She told me they’d been watching television and a commercial for Estee Lauder’s perfume White Linen came on.
“Oh!” she said, “that’s my perfume.”
“What?!” my dad cried. “I thought it was Command Performance!”
“That’s a hair salon,” my mom told him, at which point my father leapt to his feet, pointed at her and cried out:
“Why does everyone keep telling me that?!” and turning on his heel left the room.
At that point I had to ruin my father’s Christmas surprise and tell my mother the story of my poor dad trying to get her powder. Funny man.
My dad, as I said, loved music and loved to sing. One of his favorite hymns was Master, the Tempest is Raging and I remember him singing it many times. The melody has been running through my head. This is a lyric that has me thinking of my dad:
Linger O Blessed Redeemer
Leave me alone no more
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore
I know my father is on that blissful shore. And -- he’s probably singing. He may not have the right words, but you can be sure he’s singing his own song there just as he did here.
Arland Duce Hillyard
March 3, 1932 - March 9, 2013
My dad, Arland Duce Hillyard, was a good father. He was an especially good dad for little girls. He was sweet and gentle and he had a playful heart. He always said I was his favorite oldest daughter. He would introduce me like that to people, and said that out of all his oldest daughters I was his favorite.
I have many, many happy memories of my dad. They bring me comfort as I say goodbye to him for now. It makes me happy to know I’ll see him again and to know he’s watching over my mom from the other side.
One of my earliest memories of my dad shows how he was. I was little and we were off doing errands, just the two of us. This was before seatbelts, and I had this idea that if I knelt on the seat than everyone would think I was a grownup. I told my dad this. He didn’t laugh, but very seriously agreed with me. Said I did look grownup. I was so proud of myself. Of course I didn’t, but Dad didn’t burst my bubble.
When I was little and my parents would go out, we always knew. They would buy us TV dinners, get a babysitter, and they would dress up. My mom would wear a dress and heels that would click on the floor as she walked, and my dad would wear a suit and tie.
So when I was little and a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl they would hold an annual Father-Daughter Dinner. When I was about 7 and going to my first one, my dad dressed up in a suit and tie. For me! For a little 7-year-old girl. I don’t remember anything about that dinner but I do recall quite clearly how that made me feel. To show such respect and love to a small child is, I think, a reflection of Christ’s love. The Lord loves children and so does my dad.
He was good about playing along. When Cheryl and I were little if we wanted to pretend we were horses, then okay -- we were horses. Of if we were in the pool and playing we were dolphins, okay -- we were dolphins! As long as we were having fun Dad played along too.
He liked to get involved in things with us. One time he and my sister Cheryl got into candle making. They had a great time, got very creative and made candles every free moment they could. And we had candles everywhere! Everyone got candles for Christmas that year, and anyone who wanted one got one.
Dad encouraged me to study music. He bought me a flute which was a great expense. He never complained, never threw it in my face when I didn’t practice. He and mom went to every concert. When I was scared about going into high school and joining the marching band, he made a deal with me: just try it for a year and see. My parents were super band boosters and attended every single football game my entire high school career ... every parade and event they were there. And he was right. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Dad loved music. I grew up hearing show tunes, Doris Day, Harry Belafonte, Scheherazade, and so forth. And he loved to sing and had a lovely voice. One year he was asked to perform the song Let There Be Peace On Earth at a Camp Fire Girl Council Meeting, and he was fantastic!
His love of singing often had him bursting into song. One time he had us all learn the lyrics to a song from the Walt Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. After we learned it he would lead us in singing it when we were out in the car, camping, playing games, whatever. To this day I can remember most of those lyrics.
He also liked to make up his own song and sing popular songs of the day. One distinct characteristic about Dad is that he mixed up words and names.
For example, there was a store in San Jose that had an amazing Christmas display in their front window every year. Everyone would go to Brueners to see it, but we went to Beeners. He and Mom went to see a play. While everyone else watched Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat, my dad saw Joseph and His Multi-Colored Smoking Jacket.
I want to share a story of my dad’s mixing up words that I love, and it is so him! He and Mom were living in Maryland and Christmas was approaching. My mother was into Estee Lauder then, and liked to wear the perfume White Linen and the dusting powder Private Collection. Dad called me to find out about them because he wanted to get her some. He decided on the powder. I told him to go to a high end department store and find the Estee Lauder counter, letting him know the clerk could get it for him.
A few days later he called to tell me that the store didn’t have the powder.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I did what you said, and asked the woman for Command Performance and she said they didn’t sell that product,” he told me. “She said it was a hair salon.”
“Command Performance is a hair salon,” I agreed. “The powder is called Private Collection.”
He was very upset, and I suggested he write it down to help him remember the name.
“I don’t need to write it down!” he said.
But a few days later I got another call. Again he’d been told that Estee Lauder didn’t sell a product called Command Performance, which was a hair salon.
“Do you want me to buy it and mail it to you?” I asked.
“No!” he cried. “I can do this. What’s it called again?”
Well a few days later I got a call from my mother. We were talking about this and that when she said, “The strangest thing happened with your father the other night.”
She told me they’d been watching television and a commercial for Estee Lauder’s perfume White Linen came on.
“Oh!” she said, “that’s my perfume.”
“What?!” my dad cried. “I thought it was Command Performance!”
“That’s a hair salon,” my mom told him, at which point my father leapt to his feet, pointed at her and cried out:
“Why does everyone keep telling me that?!” and turning on his heel left the room.
At that point I had to ruin my father’s Christmas surprise and tell my mother the story of my poor dad trying to get her powder. Funny man.
My dad, as I said, loved music and loved to sing. One of his favorite hymns was Master, the Tempest is Raging and I remember him singing it many times. The melody has been running through my head. This is a lyric that has me thinking of my dad:
Linger O Blessed Redeemer
Leave me alone no more
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore
I know my father is on that blissful shore. And -- he’s probably singing. He may not have the right words, but you can be sure he’s singing his own song there just as he did here.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Friday, October 28, 2011
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
Gordon B. Hinckley
1910-2008
Thursday, October 20, 2011
In All It's Purple Lovliness!
We lost a good friend today .... our toaster. Oh, he'd been going downhill for quite awhile, and it was not pretty. Smoke alarms going off .... toast burnt so black you'd think it was charcoal, and that was on the lowest setting!
Then finally it got to the point that you had to stand there and hold the button down and wait for it to toast. While it was nice to spend time together like that, I had to keep letting go to make my hot chocolate, turn the CD on to listen to while I ate, grab some napkins ... you get the picture. It was time to say goodbye.
AJ bought me a new toaster today, an early Christmas present. And it is amazing in it's beauty, because it is PURPLE!!! Those who know me know it's my favorite color. It looks perfect in my (non-purple) kitchen.
Can't wait to see what Stan says when he gets home tonight!
Isn't it cute?
And don't you love AJ's reflection in it??
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Devil's Tower, Wyoming
How many of us remember 1977's iconic Close Encounters of the Third Kind? Remember the scene of Richard Dreyfuss building the mountain out of mashed potatoes? We can all hum the classic notes that summon the Mother Ship, can't we?
It's one of our family's favorite movies, and since we were up in that neck of the woods on vacaation we took a side trip over to Wyoming to visit Devil's Tower were the climax of the movie takes place. There were no signs of Steven Spielberg or his cast of Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, but we had a ton of fun checking out this classic piece of rock.
Devil's Tower is a National Monument, if you can believe that. Part of our National Park Service, Devil's Tower was once thought to be an extinct volcano, but they now know it's what's referred to as an igneous intrusion. I think that's scientific talk for tall rock!
The old American Indian legend is that a group of children were playing (seven sisters and their brother) when the boy suddenly turned into a bear and began to chase his sisters. The girls ran to the stump of a great tree which bade them to get onto it. As they did it began to rise into the air. The bear came to kill them, and as the stump rose up the bear clawed it, scoring it all around as it rose up. The seven sisters were borne into the sky, and became the stars of the Big Dipper.
When you look at Devil's Tower, you can see how this story came to be. We saw mountain climbers making their way up, they have Junior Ranger programs that hike around the base, and many trails to enjoy the area. And, if you are looking for signs of those aliens, just down the mountain are several places where you can find all kinds of fun items to satisfy that itch as well.
Here are some photos of our visit!
It's one of our family's favorite movies, and since we were up in that neck of the woods on vacaation we took a side trip over to Wyoming to visit Devil's Tower were the climax of the movie takes place. There were no signs of Steven Spielberg or his cast of Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, but we had a ton of fun checking out this classic piece of rock.
Devil's Tower is a National Monument, if you can believe that. Part of our National Park Service, Devil's Tower was once thought to be an extinct volcano, but they now know it's what's referred to as an igneous intrusion. I think that's scientific talk for tall rock!
The old American Indian legend is that a group of children were playing (seven sisters and their brother) when the boy suddenly turned into a bear and began to chase his sisters. The girls ran to the stump of a great tree which bade them to get onto it. As they did it began to rise into the air. The bear came to kill them, and as the stump rose up the bear clawed it, scoring it all around as it rose up. The seven sisters were borne into the sky, and became the stars of the Big Dipper.
When you look at Devil's Tower, you can see how this story came to be. We saw mountain climbers making their way up, they have Junior Ranger programs that hike around the base, and many trails to enjoy the area. And, if you are looking for signs of those aliens, just down the mountain are several places where you can find all kinds of fun items to satisfy that itch as well.
Here are some photos of our visit!
Even from the highway at a distance, it's impressive.
There are so many exciting and beautiful things to see in our country.
Glad we came here!
Kevin and AJ with Devil's Tower behind them.
It was a hot day too!
Stan and I enjoyed the chance to bring our family here.
A final look at Devil's Tower before we take off.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae (1872-1918)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I Passed!
I'm so grateful that my home teacher and my son gave me a blessing, and for the prayers that helped me last night. Believe me, I felt them.
Now I have St. Patrick's Day to look forward to. Let's celebrate!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Christmas Dinner .... in January!
Since we weren't home for Christmas last year, we weren't able to have our traditional holiday dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. So we had it tonight instead! The pudding can be tricky, but it came out beautifully! Since Stan is having some problems with his leg, Kevin made the gravy for it and it was soooo good! This is a very traditional English meal. I use my grandmother's recipe, so it feels as if she is with us. Nice, on so many levels.
The roast came out smelling like you wanted to bury your face in it.
Yorkshire pudding and gravy. If you've never had it you should try it. Goes with beef so well!
Stan was happy. After having been in pain for the last few days I was glad he got a respite to enjoy dinner.
This is one of AJ's favorite meals. He loves the pudding. I also make Ina Garten's mustard horseradish sauce (sitting in the crystal bowl) for the meat which is also one of his faves.
Kevin made the best gravy! I think Stan might have competition in that area.
Friday, December 3, 2010
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Oren Arnold
1900-1980
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I Am a Professional!
Today is a red letter day for me! I received my first check today from Amazon.com for sales from my first book What Would Nancy Do? I guess that means that I am really a professional novelist now! Woop Woop!
Part of me doesn't want to cash it. I just want to sit and look at it. I guess that would be silly. But what can I say? I feel silly with excitement. I'm so thankful for Stan, AJ, Kevin and all my friends who have supported me and helped to get me here. I wish it was enough to throw a party for you all!
Just wanted to share .......
Part of me doesn't want to cash it. I just want to sit and look at it. I guess that would be silly. But what can I say? I feel silly with excitement. I'm so thankful for Stan, AJ, Kevin and all my friends who have supported me and helped to get me here. I wish it was enough to throw a party for you all!
Just wanted to share .......
Friday, November 12, 2010
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
~Thornton Wilder
American Playwright
1897-1975
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Remembering My Babies
I am missing my babies tonight.
I know, my boys are here....they haven't gone anywhere, but the little guys I used to cuddle and love and squeeze have grown up. And tonight I am missing those sweet little guys. From the time they were little I used to tell them that they were living proof that Heavenly Father loved me. He wouldn't have sent His most special boys to me to take care of if He didn't love me. I truly believe that.
Tonight, as this hot summer day comes to a close, I miss those little boys. And the things I miss are so strange to me. I miss that musky, sweaty scent they had when they were little and would come in at the end of a summer day ready for their bath and to get into their jammies. I miss sitting out at the picnic table in the backyard trying to read and having them yell "Watch me Mommy!" every five minutes while they played on the swing set, or climbed the apple tree, or just ran back and forth across the yard.
Sometimes in the evenings I would put on Elvis Presley records (yes records ... they were fascinated by them) and we would dance together until I was exhausted and they were just getting started. We would go buy five cent ice cream cones at Thrifty Drug Store then drive up to the top of the hill at the end of our neighborhood and watch the sun set. They asked some of their most interesting questions during that time.
I miss how AJ would wear an old kerchief of mine around his neck and think he was superman, or how Kevin would carry a stuffed doggie named Shorty with him all the time and introduce him to people he liked.
Every night we would read and read and read together. One on each side, they would sink into me as much as they could, their eyes getting sleepy as I would make the sound effects and special voices for their favorite books. And I miss them coming into my bed in the morning. Sometimes I would pretend to still be asleep and they would pull my eyelids up and ask if I was in there.
If I could have one wish it would be to go back and see myself then. Make sure I hugged them enough, kissed them often and told them every chance I had how special they were and how much I love them. I think I did, but I'd love to make sure.
Forgive me for waxing nostalgic, but I miss my babies. I posted these pictures, when AJ was 9 and Kevin 7, because I wanted to look at them. You can look at them too, and maybe go hug your babies before they grow taller than you.
Friday, May 21, 2010
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
I don't really have a quote for today. I've been thinking today about blessings. This week my aunt Charlotte passed away, and today I celebrated my 22nd anniversary with my husband. Both of these events have given me pause to stop and consider how much we each have.
If you have a loving family with parents and siblings and also aunts, uncles, cousins...how amazing is that? That we have these people that are always there teaching, loving, laughing, sharing with us. Our lives are so rich with such a blessing. And when we lose someone here on earth to know they will be waiting to welcome and embrace us on the other side when we pass is something I find comforting.
Then on top of that, I have been so fortunate to have found my heart's companion. Sure, we've had difficulties over the past 22 years, but to know that I have Stan alwys there....supporting, laughing, loving and keeping me centered. I knew when I met him he was special. I knew when I married him I loved him. And now, all these years later, I cannot imagine my heart beating without knowing he's there.
As they say, my cup runneth o'er.
Blessed be.
If you have a loving family with parents and siblings and also aunts, uncles, cousins...how amazing is that? That we have these people that are always there teaching, loving, laughing, sharing with us. Our lives are so rich with such a blessing. And when we lose someone here on earth to know they will be waiting to welcome and embrace us on the other side when we pass is something I find comforting.
Then on top of that, I have been so fortunate to have found my heart's companion. Sure, we've had difficulties over the past 22 years, but to know that I have Stan alwys there....supporting, laughing, loving and keeping me centered. I knew when I met him he was special. I knew when I married him I loved him. And now, all these years later, I cannot imagine my heart beating without knowing he's there.
As they say, my cup runneth o'er.
Blessed be.
Friday, April 2, 2010
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Earlier, perhaps perceiving the culmination of His earthly mission, He spoke the lament, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” “No room in the inn” was not a singular expression of rejection—just the first. Yet He invites you and me to receive Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Who was this Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief? Who is the King of glory, this Lord of hosts? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.” He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise. He pleads, “Keep my commandments.”
Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.
Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign, Nov 2008
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Snow, Snow, Go Away!
Well, as predicted the storm blew in late yesterday afternoon and it was a doozy! In one two-hour period we got about 6 inches of snow. Now, I know if you live in Minnesota, or Buffolo that's not much, but for us here in Colorado Springs it's a lot!
The boys got home from their movie making adventure before it hit, but poor Stan was at work. Because it turned into a blizzard, he got stuck out there as the next shift that was to relieve them wasn't able to get out there and they shut down the base.
As I write this, it's almost 8:00 am Wednesday morning and Stan just walked in the door. He left yesterday afternoon at 2:30 pm. It's been a loooooong night for him!
I'm glad he's home.
The boys got home from their movie making adventure before it hit, but poor Stan was at work. Because it turned into a blizzard, he got stuck out there as the next shift that was to relieve them wasn't able to get out there and they shut down the base.
As I write this, it's almost 8:00 am Wednesday morning and Stan just walked in the door. He left yesterday afternoon at 2:30 pm. It's been a loooooong night for him!
I'm glad he's home.
Friday, February 5, 2010
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND
First and foremost, I am grateful that he is in my life. I didn't get married until I was 32, and it seemed a long wait to me. I prayed for many years that the Lord would bless my future husband with patience, and to let his heart know I was looking for him. And ... just when I had about convinced myself that marriage and a family were not in my future, Stan showed up!
To me he is the perfect husband. He supports me, encourages me and spurs me on. I remember we had a lot of problems in the beginning because of things that happened to me when I was young. He was patient, and gentle and helped me through it all. He still does.
Now I don't know if I believe in fate, or predestiny or those sorts of things. But this I do believe: that he was meant for me and me for him. And today as we celebrate his birth, I want to post this telling the world that I love him and wish him the Happiest Birthday of all time!
Monday, January 4, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: One Simple Act
Macomber, who is best know for her romance and women's fiction novels, asks the question "what would you do if you could make the world a better place?" It's a good question and it bears listening to her answer.
She starts off by explaining that gratitude is the springboard to making generosity possible. If you have a thankful attitude you will benefit in many ways. Studies have shown it makes you healthier, happier, more attuned to your surroundings, and able to enjoy life more. It also allows you to extend that to helping others around you.
Chapter by chapter the author shows us there are many ways to be generous, not just the assumed method of handing money out, although that is one way. She shows how just listening to someone who needs to be heard is a way of being generous. Encouragement, offering a prayer, being a caregiver, offering hospitatlity, why even forgiving someone is an act of generosity. Her words are inspiring.
By using short stories and true anecdotes Macomber supports her ideas in a way that shows you that you can do this too. But she also illustrates her point with scriptural references and examples that tie in with a strong faith. As she writes, "... when Jesus gave us an example, He focused on just one simple act."
I have kept a gratitude journal for a long time, and wrote about it in my last novel. If you keep such a journal, I promise it will change your life. And, according to Macomber, you can change other lives as well.
And if we all did that .... we could change the world, couldn't we?
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