opportunities

I’ve been thinking all week about what I would say when I finally had the opportunity to post. And, now that I am sitting here ready to do it, words will not come. But, despite my mind and hands and their unwillingness to work as a team, I have travelled long and far to update this most favored of blogs. So… speak I must.

This week has been a mixture of things here on Woodburn Drive. A mixture of things that I will not go into here. But I will say that this week has been a mixture of emotions and thoughts. A mixture of trials and blessings. A mixture of pain and light.

I have had the opportunity to reevaluate my very existence this past week. My life has always lacked courage. I am not brave. I fear things I can’t understand. I fear things my mind can’t wrap itself around. I fear obstacles that I can’t see the way through. I fear problems that I don’t know the solutions for. But, I know in whom I can trust. I know where to put my faith. I know who to direct my questions and pleas to. And how blessed I am to have a companion such as mine. Another person in whom I can trust. Another person in whom I can put my faith. And we buoy each other. We carry each other’s burdens. We lighten each other’s heavy hearts.

I have learned something this week. While I still fear, I have found courage. And after all, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” [Ambrose Redmoon].

We as a family have been forced to reevaluate some things. And, even though I thought it to be a hard thing to do… I’m finding that it is quite the opposite. And while our destination is far off, for today… I am finding the joy in just being ordinary. And, I have so many reasons to enjoy my ordinary life. So many blessings. So many reasons to have courage.

Marilyn Thomsen : "And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary. For the joys that last have little relationship to achievement, to standing one step higher on the victory platform. What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving."

As we finally begin to see the effects of fall, I see an interesting (albeit humorous) parallel to my current life. I have always loved fall. Not just because of the beautiful colors, heavenly weather and promise that the holidays are on the horizon. While some love spring because of it’s signs of rebirth, I love fall because it gives the opportunity for rebirth. The opportunity for new growth. The opportunity for new-found life. And depending on what we do with the winter… we may have a lovely spring.

We had the chance to spend the day in the country last weekend. For no reason but to soak in some of that invigorating fall air. The leaves have changed colors. The trees are starting to shed their foliage. The chilly breeze has us reaching for longer sleeves and making us desire to spend more time outdoors. It is just too easy to enjoy this time of the year. Just too easy to enjoy a nice afternoon with family.


The most pleasant sight of my week was a sign greeting me at Wal-Mart that read, “Christmas Trees Are Coming.”. And better yet, on my way to church this morning I saw the poles going up on the property where we usually get our trees. We are listening to Christmas music now. Enjoying the season early. I know lots of people think it too early. But, I think that it is never too early to start celebrating this most special of holidays. The time that we honor the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Aren’t we told to keep that Christmas spirit in our hearts all the year through?

After dinner tonight we flipped on the television only to find the Grinch on... the good one. Another fine-looking sign.

"Pooh-Pooh to the Whos!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming. "They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming! They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry 'Boo-Hoo!'”

"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch, "that I simply MUST hear!" So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow...

But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Who-ville! The Grinch popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all! He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

So, try enjoying the holiday season early. If not, well… enjoy your fall, make the most of your winter, and hope for a lovely spring.