Thankful

After returning home late last night from a wondrous Thanksgiving dinner and visit with my daughter Sarah ("Sadie-Belle" to those "in the know"), my thankfulness was enhanced even further today.
That happened by arising in the wee hours of this morning and hieing myself to Washington, D.C., to participate in an endowment session within the Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
At the Temple, and in conversation with one of the Temple Officiators. we both expressed profound gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Satan's counterfeit delusion causes many to believe the pernicious lie that Our Father in Heaven demands that we live without personal flaws or faults.
Instead, Our Savior only requires us to make a sincere effort to learn from and follow Him.
His Atonement then helps us along the rest of the way on our paths to fulfill both our earthly and eternal potentials and destiny.

Wistful Memories of Limerence

Restless and unable to sleep just now, I arose and began to thumb through old High School yearbooks from North Hagerstown High School in Hagerstown, Maryland (1960-1965).
Therein I discovered a series of photographs of Courtney Page Roulette, a lovely young girl who captured my infatuous affection, beginning in the 7th grade, at North Potomac Junior High School. Perhaps she was my first love, albeit very much from afar.
Alas, I never found the courage to tell her about my feelings :( ...

A Letter to My Children

Dear David & Sarah,
A few days ago, while watching one of my favorite old movies, "The Canterville Ghost" (B&W, 1944), it prompted me to pause and reflect upon the marvelous wonder and the works of my own life.
With still another birthday coming on January 27th, it amazes me that my life has been preserved and protected for so many years, and for reasons still mostly unbeknownst to me.
Of course, you both know about my "terminal" cancer in 1981, and much of the rest of the curious events that have transpired in my life since then.
However, I still remember my parents telling me that my birth also came close to being a very short story, with the doctor telling Mom that he didn't expect me to live another twenty-four hours, and, if I did, I would be severely retarded.
Naturally, your Aunt Linda takes great glee in reminding all that the doctor's diagnosis was correct.
Only this week, while climbing to the top of an aluminum extension ladder that I had propped against a humongous hickory tree (to check on potential satellite reception problems at my home), the ladder and I suddenly were dislodged and we both abruptly fell to the ground.
To my utter amazement, I suffered nary a scratch nor a bruise from that tumble.
To be sure, it is true that my "Patriarchal Blessing" (November 29th, 1969) promises me that, my "...Guardian Angel has charge concerning you. He has watched over you thus far, removed many barriers from your way, and has preserved your life for a purpose...."
That purpose still mostly befuddles me, but I at least do know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, knows me personally, just as He knows all of us children of Our Father in Heaven.
And so, one day in the not too distant future, all of us will know as we are known.
I also know that Our Savior knows about all of our trials, that our life experiences are for our eternal good, and that this life is just a stepping stone for much more to come.
For me, as for many others, the oft-quoted line from "A Tale of Two Cities" rings ever true: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.".
As I continue to muse about Sir Canterville's longing to finally be able to sleep "in the soft brown earth", I anxiously look forward to what awaits me, both in this life and the next.
Love,
Dad

From "The Scourge of God"

"God is the greatest of artists! How good of Him to give us this world, and the chance to imitate Him by bettering it.
...If only we did not mar it, and ourselves, so often!"
-S. M. Stirling

Note: "The Scourge of God" is the latest in a series of novels by S. M. Stirling about a post cataclysmic world.

Desperately Seeking Susan

On a whim recently, I had dinner at a delightful local restaurant, the "Black-Eyed Susan", but nobody there had a black eye and nobody knew the whereabouts of Susan.

Here Are Your Assignments

Ignore the first five people who say "good morning" to you.
Phone a stranger and say, " I can't talk right now. Bye!"
Shout random numbers while someone is counting
Walk into a very busy person's office and, while they watch you with growing irritation, turn the light switch on/off at least ten times.
For an hour, refer to everyone you speak to as "Bob." The tell them that Bob's your uncle.
Announce to everyone in a meeting that you "really have to go do a number two."
In a meeting or crowd, slap your forehead repeatedly and say, "Shut up, all of you just shut up!"
Repeat the following conversation ten times to the same person: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, it's gone now!"
During a meeting, slowly edge your chair towards the door.
Arrange toy figures on the table to represent each meeting attendee, then move them according to the movements of their real-life counterparts.
Tell your children over dinner. "Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."
Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I Won! I Won! 3rd time this week!!!"