Remembering Gary

I received sad news yesterday. My boyhood chum, Gary Froseth, passed away two weeks ago. His wife, Paulette, sent me a letter telling me that while they were in Nicaragua Gary suffered a massive heart attack and then a cerebral hemorrhage. He died instantly. The memorial service was last Sunday. Gary was an important part of my growing up, especially during our pre-teen years. I remember:
--laughing so hard we rolled on the ground, out of control, gasping for breath
--hanging out after school
--Gary coming with me to Mutual, needing the fellowship
--my hoping he'd be interested in joining the Church but he never was
--Gary attending my first marriage with his first wife neither of us knowing that both marriages would eventually unravel
--hooking up many years later when Melba and I lived in Virginia the first time, stopping in to see him and Paulette at their home in Harrisburg, PA and picking up where we had left off, hardly missing a beat
--over the years occasionally emailing each other with updates and subtle reminders that we were still friends and cared about each other

Thank you, Gary, for being my friend when I needed you most. My wish for you now is that you'll run into some great missionaries in the spirit world and accept the gospel. We'll have so much more to talk and laugh about when I get there.

For Melba

A little over a year ago I wrote the lyrics and music of a song dedicated to my eternal sweetheart. I thought I would share the lyrics with you.

YOU WERE THERE

For Melba

1) Years ago in memories past,

Time stood still, our youth would last forever.

You were there.

Holding hands in tender romance,

‘cross the room a stolen glance of love.

You were there.

Dreams were big, hope was bright;

You and I were right ‘cause you were there,

You were there.

2) Life was hard, life was good;

Trusting God our dreams would last forever;

He was there.

Heaven blessed us from on high,

Showed us that we could rely on His love;

He was there.

Through the fire, through the flame,

Hearts were touched through faith upon His name;

He was there.

3) Now we’re old, our hair is gray;

My love for you is here to stay forever.

I’ll be there.

Up the hill, down rocky road,

I’ll lift you up, I’ll take your load, I love you.

I’ll be there.

Friends we were and friends forever,

In your need I’ll come and I’ll be there.

Yes, I’ll be there. I will be there.

Words and music by Lawrence M. Barry, October 2008

Potpourri

I'm discovering that the secret to good blogging is the power of observation coupled with interesting narrative. Here are some recent thoughts:

--Great joy in resuming Wednesday night dinners with Damon, Amy and family after an inspirational day at the temple. I'm two feet into the doorway and am ambushed by Ray: "Grandpa, will you play Mario Smash Bros. with me?" Hugs from Emma, Savannah, and Nolan; teenage-like Elli with an independent "Hi"; getting caught up with Damon and Amy after a tasty meal.
--Great walk this morning with my sister, Diane. Foggy, cold, brisk...good for the heart and the soul.
--Reading daughters-in-law blogs I am touched by the depth of their love for their husbands and children, the sacrifices they make, and the gifts and talents they share with others. The next generation is truly "in good hands", to borrow from Allstate.
--Practicing passages in "Yesterday" by the Beatles on classical guitar; measure after measure after measure; melody finally starting to emerge
--Praying today for the ability to love a little more deeply; forgive a little more quickly; and repent a little more profoundly

Thoughts from stake confence

Yesterday and today was our stake conference. Elder Kent F. Richards was our visiting authority and he taught us well as did our stake presidency and other speakers. Here are some nuggets that stood out to me from various speakers.
--Priesthood quorums/groups need three things: brotherhood, spirit-led instruction, and opportunities to serve
--We each should strive to be a more complete servant of the Lord.
--Three things that are necessary as we work with investigators/new members/less active members: teach them doctrinal truths; encourage and support them; respect their moral agency to choose.
--Home teachers (and visiting teachers, too, I would assume) should teach and testify to every family
--Three gifts God has given us: the Light of Christ--to know good from evil; moral agency--to be able to choose good or evil; 24 hours in a day--in which to fully exercise our moral agency for good
--God wants our hearts completely, 100%.
--Ask ourselves: "Is it my heart's desire to follow Him regardless of the consequences?" (YES!)
--It's the little decisions in life that indicate what direction our life is headed.
--Giving to others, with sacrifice, reaps the blessings of Heaven.

I am spiritually full.

The Joy of Reading

Was thinking this morning that while I enjoy modern technologies like the internet, cell phones, blogging, and social networking, nothing compares with good old fashioned reading. I love books--always have. I remember as a kid making a summertime trek to the Visalia public library and leaving with an arm full of books--westerns, science fiction, adventure and many others. Today our shelves are filled with books from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres--novels, religious books, political analysis, self-help. I usually am working my way through several books at once. Here's my current reading list:
--Book of Mormon
--Old Testament
--The Democratization of American Christianity (sociological study of the "burned over district" during the Second Great Awakening, late 1700s to 1830)
--Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin (conservative political commentary)
--Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child (fluff adventure novel)
--Joseph Smith Papers, volume 1832-1839

I think fewer kids today know the joy of settling down with a good book. I hope my grandkids are the exception.

Change in the political landscape

I was pleased with Scott Brown's upset win in the Massachusetts special senatorial election--not just because I am a conservative but more importantly because I am suspect of the government when the executive branch and the legislative branch are of the same party and the latter holds a majority of votes--especially a super majority. Far better if there is a balance so that all parties are forced to cooperate with each other, limit the contentiousness and generate legislation that more equitably represents the concerns of all Americans, not just the right or the left.

Power outage_

All power--including land-line phone--out for 12 hours--1:00am to 1:00pm--due to high winds during the night. This gave us a good opportunity to hook up our generator which worked fine. Also inventoried our 72 hour kits and will replace expired food and other items. It is comforting to know we can handle these kinds of emergencies with minimal discomfort. "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Sabbath musings

What I love about Sunday:
--Being on the 1-4 schedule so I can have the morning--my freshest time mentally and spiritually--to prepare for worship and catching up on high priest group business
--Greeting friends at church and getting a small glimpse of what the celestial kingdom may be like
--Sitting next to Melba and knowing that the greatest joy in my life is right beside me
--Sharing the pew with Diane, Sean and William--nice to have family with us
--Partaking of the emblems of Christ's atonement--and reminding myself that had I been the only person in the world He would still have sacrificed Himself just for me
--Watching 93 year old Margaret Hannan conduct the congregational hymns--a calling she's had for 50 years; I'm convinced that when Lady Margaret (as I call her, to her great delight) passes away it will be on an upbeat during the fourth verse of "Come, Come Ye Saints"
--Seeing parents and children coming to worship together complete with quiet books, hot wheels, Cheerios, and coloring books.
--Lessons so well prepared and prayerfully given that I weep with the Spirit

What I don't like about Sunday:
--Noisy, out of control kids
--Noisy, out of control parents
--Uncomfortable pews
--Bone breaking hand shakes
--Prelude music that draws attention to the organist and not the Lord
--Teachers who never answer my question: "So what?"

Hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful, spirit-filled Sabbath.

Quiet Saturday morning

I love quiet Saturday mornings--Melba still asleep, some movement upstairs but so far no one down here. The quietness helps me ponder, meditate, and refocus on things that are best vs. those that are better or just good.

Dropped by my dear friend Harry's mobile home yesterday. He and his wife, Dolly, were our cruise partners when we went to Mexico a couple of years ago. Harry is 75 and has been diagnosed with some kind of dementia. Since I am the high priest group leader I needed to tell Harry that we are releasing him and another brother as our group instructors. They've served for over two years and it is time to "spread the wealth". Harry's first comment was "Are you releasing me because last Sunday's lesson was so bad?" I said "no", it's just time to do it. His second comment was "I'm really relieved to be released--I'm having more memory problems--just can't seem to hang on to things like I used to." I just about cried. I told him that I am his friend and along with his wife I will be there for him and will walk with him on this part of his journey--and I will.

We've got a date for surgery!

Finally....2 Mar is date for full knee replacement for Melba. Will be happy for her--she is in constant pain even when the Percocet is cranked up. When she hurts, I hurt for her--when she feels a little relief, I rejoice for her. That's what 31+ years of marriage to this wonderful woman has done to me--made me a better, kinder, more empathetic man. Thank the Lord she is in my life...now and eternally.

Never thought I'd start a blog!

Not sure why I've started a blog--some reasons that come to mind:
--chance to improve writing skills
--like to embarrass myself
--want to stay tech-savvy
--enjoy reading family blogs--Doreen, Amy, Trina, Tori--thought I'd contribute my 2 cents
--over-inflated sense of self
--exercise in self-discipline--was impressed with Amy's 365 day effort
--blogging is the new journaling
--don't know how to get a life so will make one up

Off to MAMC (Madigan Army Medical Center) this morning--Melba finally has her appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery on her gimpy knee.