Happy Birthday Mother

Sibs,
Of course you remember today is Mom's birthday. When I realized that this morning, I played one of her favorite tunes during my walk e.g. Army of Helaman

Couldn't decide which would be her favorite rendition, so I linked to a bunch. Take your pick. She often told me that was a favorite song.

In her honor on this special day, I am going to share something with you that I expect most of you have never seen--maybe none of you have. Dad had a little black book that he kept and wrote down his sentiments on occasion. Actually, he carefully typed these words on small pages (both sides), and today I am going to share with you the first two pages exactly:

WHEN FIRST WE MET

     Saturday, September 30, was the day.  The New England Mission Reunion was held in the evening at the beautiful Colonial Hills Chapel.  The year was 1950.

     While we were gathered together in the Chapel for the Program I saw Dave Hinckley, my former missionary friend in Nova Scotia.

     But most important to me was the girl who he was with.  She was pretty and sweet.  I wanted to meet her but as I remember, the opportunity did not arise for I only shook hands with Dave in passing.  If a face can radiate revealing a beautiful spirit that lives within, then I knew of a beautiful soul when I first saw her.

     That night I left with a supressed sorrow that I had missed a golden chance to meet a wonderful girl.  I felt I would probably never see her again and so I must forget the matter.  So I did.

     A few weeks later Lamba Delta Sigma held their get acquainted party for all the members and visitors who cared to come.

     The party began when several persons received groups of about twenty persons, at their homes for games and refreshments.  One group came to my home.

      When the parties had ended we went to one of two roller skating rinks where we skated together in a large body for the remainder of the evening.

     This is where I saw her again.  But, the glimpses of her were few and far between as she would be swallowed up again in the large crowd as we skated around the rink.

     Of all the persons there that night--and I suppose that there were several hundred--only two persons interested me enough to want to meet them and take them out. She was one.

     The evening drew on and closing time was soon at hand, and I hadn't yet had a chance to meet her.  I remember the regrets I had after seeing her at the reunion and failing to meet her then.  I promised myself this second opportunity would certainly not be wasted.

     I looked carefully until I saw her at the side with another person, sitting and talking.  I skated over and talked to her and felt sad for sure when I found that another person would take her home afterwards and that I would not enjoy the opportunity.

     But I had met Marjorie Curtis at last, talked with her, and knew I would soon take her out.  And I was happy.

     I also met the other person who had caught my eye this night and took her out--but only once, for after that I took Marge out and interest in the rest was quickly lost.

----

That's it. You'll have to wait for the next two pages FALLING IN LOVE, which I will share shortly.

I am grateful for these glimpses into Mom and Dad's lives and eternally grateful for our mother. She saw in all of us potential, hope, and joy, then she lived to make those a reality for all of us.

You are all familiar with the famous rendition of the 2000 Stripling Warriors by Arnold Friberg.  I always wanted to be like that, but I wasn't. I was a short, little scrawny dude with glasses. But Mom never saw me that way. Every day I try to live up to the person she saw in me and every day I fall short. She sees more in all of us than what we could really become in this lifetime. But her encouragement drives us on still.

I am beginning to see from her perspective. I found another favorite video, which each time I watch reminds me of her and how she sees stripling in all of us, whether we can see it or not.

I love you Mom.

​“The weak things of the world shall come forth"