Well, it's a new day, with a new perspective! Time for life to get back to normal. My husband is semi-retired as of this morning . . . and I could not be happier! He has worked very hard as a pipe-fitter for the last 39 years and he deserves to have a little down time. I'm not sure if putting in new kitchen cupboards and flooring is downtime, but it's a change from what he was doing, and he's home . . . not getting up at 4:30 a.m . . . and coming home at 6:30 p.m. . . 6 or 7 days a week! I know that this change might be kind of hard for him, but it's still a well deserved break.
This says it all!
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
My mother-in-law's battle with cancer is finally over. She passed away, very peacefully, on her 83rd birthday, January 14, 2012, surrounded by her family.
I love the sculpture in the picture above. It is called, "Come Unto Me", and was sculpted by Jerry Anderson. It's such a beautiful depiction of an old woman going through the veil, and passing through as a young woman, ready to meet the Savior and those who have been waiting for her. It sits in the Spilsbury Mortuary, in St. George, Utah. I think it is so appropriate for my mother-in-law. I know that there was certainly a happy reunion when she passed!
I love this beautiful song, written by Pres. Gordon B. Hinkley, and sung at his funeral. The music was written by Janice Kapp Perry, and is sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Don't forget to pause my music).
What is this Thing that Men Call Death
What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
‘Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change
With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
Thanks again for all of the prayers and love that was sent to me at this very difficult time.
Just a quick note and a thank you to all those who have kept our family in your prayers and have sent good thoughts in our direction. My mother-in-law is still with us - I'm not sure how. I am truly amazed at her, "will to live". I don't think she afraid to die, but I do think that she is afraid of what she will leave behind . . . her family. Sometimes the hardest part about dying, is the effect is has on your family, and I know that this is true for her.
Watching and being with my mother-in-law has truly stirred my soul, stretched my faith, tested my compassion, and allowed me to re-examine my values. It has taught me that death, far from being a dreaded thing, can come as a welcome friend, gently carrying our loved ones to another sphere where life can again be meaningful and fulfilling . . . and I pray that this will come swiftly for my dear mother-in-law.
My mother was a wonderful cook, and used to make the most delicious soups and stews! She could turn anything in the refrigerator into the most scrumptious, bubbly, comforting, warm meal! I don't think she used a recipe to make soup, she just put things in a pot and seasoned it with love.
My sister and I were helping her go through some boxes the other day, and we came across a recipe for Hamburger Soup. In the corner of the recipe it says, "Carolyn's recipe"; Carolyn is my aunt, who is also an amazing cook. Mother doesn't cook anymore, but I thought it was cute that she just couldn't resist jotting down the recipe!
I really needed some comfort food today, so I decided I would make the hamburger soup. It's so delicious, I'm so glad mother wrote down the recipe!!
HAMBURGER SOUP
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup each of the following:
Chopped onion
Diced potatoes
Diced carrots
Shredded cabbage
Sliced celery
(I added 1 cup of chopped kale)
1 32 oz can tomatoes (I used 1 quart of home canned tomatoes)
1/4 c. rice
4 cups water
4-5 teaspoons salt - to taste
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
Brown the beef and onion until the meat and it is lightly browned. Add all the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for at least 1 hour. Enjoy~
"Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor."
I'm a wife to a good man who loves me, and I love him back. He was my high school sweetheart, we have been married 37 years. I am a mother to 3 wonderful children, a grandmother to 8 adorable grand kids, who I love more than life it's self. I am a daughter and a sister. I try to follow Christ's example, and know I am a daughter of God. I am trying to make strides to live a more simple life with more meaning. I am a lover of music, old things, the color red, candle-lit rooms, good books, the mountains, all things furry, laughter, quiet mornings, cloudy afternoons, late nights, tear stained pillows, long telephone calls, the sound of night, tight hugs and sloppy kisses.
Well, it's a new day, with a new perspective! Time for life to get back to normal. My husband is semi-retired as of this morning . . . and I could not be happier! He has worked very hard as a pipe-fitter for the last 39 years and he deserves to have a little down time. I'm not sure if putting in new kitchen cupboards and flooring is downtime, but it's a change from what he was doing, and he's home . . . not getting up at 4:30 a.m . . . and coming home at 6:30 p.m. . . 6 or 7 days a week! I know that this change might be kind of hard for him, but it's still a well deserved break.
