Another Lesson from Mom

It is still March - for one more day. Since March 9 is Mom's birthday, I decided to write about another lesson I learned from her, even still at this stage of my life.

I remember when Dad was in the hospital after having his touch and go quadruple bi pass surgery. I was with Mom in the elevator, going to the fourth floor to visit him. We pushed the #4 button and out of the blue, I heard her calm voice say, "Let's have a prayer."
I can count and I know how fast an elevator can get you where you want to go. But it was fruitless for me to remind her that we might not have time for a prayer. She had already bowed her head and begun praying, so I bowed my head and listened as she expressed love, gratitude, and wishes for the day. It was a sweet prayer that blanketed us with strength and faith. Just as she finished, sure enough, the bell sounded and the door opened. There we stood. To others, we might have looked like any other elevator riders. But we were different when we stepped out than when we stepped in.
How long does it take an elevator to ride up 4 floors? How long does it take to offer a heartfelt prayer of love and faith?
I'll never question it again.

Last week-end was a payday for Jon's family. Jeremy was married to Carly in the San Diego temple. It was a beautiful day and I'm SO glad we all were able to go. Jim and Richelle took Mom and Dad. Randy and I took Carianne, Kate and Vita. It was a Heavenly experience. We soaked in the day and after the luncheon, we all made time to go through the Mormon Battalion museum before we journeyed home.
We loaded up our van and were rolling through the parking lot when we passed Jim's truck. They were loading up, too. I noticed Mom walking towards our car, so Randy rolled down the window as he came to a stop beside her. She leaned in, and with Jim and Richelle behind her, she said, "Let's have a prayer together." She stood close so we could all hear her and with one hand folded and the other gripping the open window, she offer a prayer of gratitude, love and a plea for our safety during the drive.

Again, right out of the blue, right in the middle of a busy parking lot. That was of no concern to her. Can you feel Heaven in a parking lot? Ask me. Thanks to Mom I felt it there that day. When you need to pray, you need to pray.

She is still teaching me all that I must do . . .

Thank-you, Mom. I Love you.

March 14

Yep. Today is Jeff's birthday. Right during spring break, and now right during wedding anniversary season, including his own! It's a busy time, but a beautiful time.

I have been thinking of stories of Jeff. I could go on and on, but I'll spread them out over time.

When Jeff was in kindergarten, we had just moved into this house. If you looked out the kitchen window in those days, you could actually see Sureno elementary. (Well, someone with good eyes could see the school!) I was especially good at seeing the yellow school bus pull up in front. You couldn't miss that. I know about that big yellow bus, because everyday I would watch the clock for 12:00 (noon) and then stand at the window knowing that Jeff was on it and he would be home any minute. Most days I would walk down to the stop sign and walk with him back to the house. He was (and is) a beautiful kid.

One afternoon, while I stood at the bus stop, there was a rustling of parents calling for my attention. We met across the street and it was there I learned an experience about the previous day's delivery of kindergarten kids. (I don't remember why I wasn't at the stop, but it was a day that I missed, never to miss again.)

The neighbors frantically told me in all of their versions together. It seems that the driver the day before, was a substitute. He got to our corner and let out all of the kids. There was such a cluster of them, he figured they all lived north. He was too unfamiliar to notice that Jeff lived south. The door closed and he hit the gas pedal, thinking he was clear. But there was Jeff going south, right in front of the bus. He wasn't tall enough to see, and besides, the driver wasn't looking for more kids. He thought they all lived north.

I'm sure the cluster of neighbors saved Jeff's life that day. They could see a possible tragedy beginning to happen. They went into frantic mode and screamed and yelled and waved to get the drivers attention. Luckily he stopped quick, just in time to see a little boy safely head south.

My heart still pounds when I think of what could have happened. I am so thankful for good neighbors who watch out for each other.

And I am thankful for Jeff.

I have a feeling Heavenly Father was watching out for him that day, too.

Happy Birthday, Jeff!
I Love You
Mom

Kate

It was simply a privilege to watch little 2 year old Kate these last 6 weeks. Carianne substitute taught for the same teacher who took her place when she gave up teaching to have Kate. Now the teacher needed a sub for her 6 weeks maternity leave. Enter: a loving, overjoyed, and delighted Grandma and Grandpa! Every morning (except on Wednesdays, when she went to her cousins house) Carianne would bring her by at 7:00 AM or so. She would say, "I came back!" Then the fun would begin. Play time took on a whole new meaning. Think about it. PLAY TIME. What a wonderful way to spend your life. And she shared it with us! Kate gets A+'s in all her playtime subjects: A+ - One Step Ahead After the first couple of story days at the library, I learned that I didn't need to panic when the door opened and everyone exited at the same time . . . except Kate, who skipped out far ahead of the rest. My heart would race! I'd be so relieved when I'd see her at the computers, where she looked to be extremely focused, typing something very important, I'm sure. It was as if she had a sign across her forehead that read "I'm gifted". A+ - Mechanically Inclined Big train parks and little train parks, a train is a TRAIN! She can't ride them enough. We were off to ride the Desert Breeze train on a Friday and learned it was broken and had to be repaired. That is just plain hard for a little girl to understand. The "train doctor" seemed to be my best answer to her sadness. Over and over again, "Where's the train?" "At the train doctor, getting fixed." "Fixed?" "Yep, the train doctor is going to fix that little train." "Where's the train?" "At the train doctor, getting fixed up." "Where's the boy?" (the kid who greeted all the kids and led them in a rousing "All aboard!") She doesn't miss anything. Then, after a week, we went back to the train park to ride the repaired train. We got there just in time to see the repairman (the train Dr.) give the train a few new tightenings and a trial run. Kate watched for 20 minutes until he finally latched the door back onto the engine so the train would be complete again. She didn't have to worry any more. She was overjoyed! A+ Independence The first couple of weeks (before she knew I couldn't keep from laughing) she would say in a sad voice, "I'm going home to find my Mommy, all ba ba ba ma ma ma ma self!" A+ Creative I was surprised when she would slide down the spiral / tunnel slippery slide over and over . . .backwards! That's right, head first! Then she would run all the way to the front of the jungle gym maze - up, down and through, until she got to the top of the slide again. Laying down, head first like super girl, she'd come down again and again. Every time her hair would get bigger and bigger from the static electricity inside. After a while, people would gather to wait for her static hair, head first landings. A+ Miss Congeniality The carousel is a perfect place to gather friends. Kate would be so excited to choose just the right horse, giraffe, or rooster. She could hardly sit still and hold on at the same time. As we rode around and around, it was her duty to wave to everyone she saw. The same people again and again. As she smiled and waved so genuinely, the response from by passers got bigger, also. They would watch for the cute little girl that LOVED the carousel . . . and them! A+ Map Quest As we'd ride along, it became a game to look for familiar destinations. I'd say,"Tell me when you see it!" She would look hard and sure enough, almost pop out of her seat when she knew we were there. Then I'd hear her say, "Tell me when you see it!" As if I'd be so surprised to finally find the place. A+ Families are Forever We were in Gilbert one morning with Grandma and Grandpa B. We noticed that it got quiet so we started half looking for Kate. As we walked into the patio room, Kate came running from the corner by the ice cream machine. With excitement in her little voice, she said, "WHERE IS EVERYBODY?!" For a little girl that frequents that corner for ice cream, she knew that it just wasn't the same without Family sitting around like usual. That makes Grandpa Buehner proud. The stories go on and on. . . And the grades only get more perfect! Did I mention it was a complete joy to watch Kate? Thank you for sharing her, dear Carianne and Rusty! (Brought to you in part by the Randy and Jody Clawson Grandchildren Watch Foundation.)

Not a One

My favorite Valentine's story:



Not a One!
by: Dale Galloway


Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that!" because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.

Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines - maybe none at all.

That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears.

"Mommy has some cookies and milk for you," she said.

But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: "Not a one. Not a one."

Her heart sank.

And then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!"


It just makes me think . . .

Cherry Dream Squares

Back in the early 80's, we were settling into a new home at 329 E. Juniper St. in Mesa. We hadn't been married that long. (I was either expecting Julianne or she was a baby.) I was just getting to know the ward and the people in it - kind of a new experience, being "grown-up" now, trying to live like you knew what to do!
But my new visiting teachers came by one day, as planned. It was a nice visit. They were young and new, too, and anxious to know me. As we visited in the front room next to the window, one of them handed me a plate of beautiful cherry bars. Her name was Marsha Payne. The bars were delicious! I was sure to ask her for the recipe on their next visit.
It took a minute to remember, but luckily it came to her. It was from a Woman's Day magazine from a couple of weeks before.
The minute I waved them off at the front door, I headed out the back. Car keys and purse in hand (Julianne too, I'm sure, if she was born!). I had to find that recipe! I was relieved to find of, in the exact same issue she told me. There it was, "Cherry Dream Squares".
I had no idea then, how priceless this recipe would become. I'm sure I have made it a hundred times since then. I copy the recipe again and again when the card gets ratty. Or I give it out gladly, just like Marsha did for me. I don't ever make them, that I don't think of Marsha, my first visiting teacher, that taught me how to share something really yummy.
It has become a part of me, so here it is for you. In this Valentine's Day Season, where red and cherries belong:

With Love

Cherry Dream Squares

1 pkg. white cake mix
1 1/4 cups rolled oats *
1/2 c margarine / butter (room temp.) *
1 egg
21 oz. can cherry pie filling
1/2 c chopped nuts
1/4 firmly packed brown sugar

* divided - read below

Heat oven to 350o. Grease 13 x 9 pan. In large bowl, combine cake mix, 6 TB butter*, and 1 cup rolled oats*. Mix with a fork until crumbly.
(Reserve 1 cup "crumbly" for topping.)
To remaining crumbs, still in bowl, add 1 egg. Mix until well blended. Press into prepared pan.
Pour cherry pie filling over pressed crust; spread to cover.
To reserved crumbs, in large bowl (I usually use the same bowl again), add remaining 1/4 cup rolled oats, 2 TB butter, nuts, and brown sugar. Beat until thoroughly mixed (or by hand).
Sprinkle over cherry mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 - 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely. If desired, serve with whipped or vanilla ice cream.

If You Give Your Child Piano Lessons

If you give your child piano lessons
He's going to want to play music
With rhythms.
When you compliment him,
He'll want to play more.
When he's finished, he'll smile.
Then he'll remember
How his Grandpa plays the ukulele,
And how his family
Likes to sing in the car.
And he'll feel good inside.

He'll become proud of his hard work
And confident to share his talent
At recitals or on talent day at school.
His Mom will have
Lots of pictures to show.

When he gets older,
Maybe he'll join the orchestra
And play the violin, viola,
Cello, or string bass.
Whenever he can . . . or even for a living!
Maybe he'll join the steel drum band,
Play the clarinet, the french horn,
Or play duets with his sister (or his wife).
Maybe taking dancing lessons,
Singing with a choir,
Or being a conductor would sound fun.
He might even collect vinyl records.

No matter what,
Music will make him happy -
Whether he hears, dances,
Sings,or plays.

If you give your child piano lessons
It will give him all kinds of
Happy memories.
Then when he grows up
And has children of his own,
He's going to want to give them . . .
Piano lessons!

Christmas 2010

The clan...

The cutest grand kids...