Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays

This is Janeal and Dan at work in the woodshop.

Margaret in her garden with newly planted tree, etc.

(I have got to learn how to get these pictures where I want them in the text!)

A little family sidebar…. We are celebrating four family birthdays over these past few days, but because we are nowhere near any of them we can only send our thoughts of love and joy in their behalf. I apologize in advance—I don’t have pictures for all.

First of all, Carl’s brother, Doug celebrates his Feb 3^rd birthday in Kirtland, Ohio. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are on a mission at the Visitor’s Center there. They have been there for 14 months now, I think. From all reports there are tremendous events happening like the huge crowds that attended the Christmas Crèche displays at the Visitor’s Center and Mary Ellen being able to conduct an all-Faith choir right inside the Kirtland Temple that brought a spirit of beauty and holiness. They both continue to work hard and help great things to take place in that very special setting. Hope you had a super day, Doug. We didn’t forget you on your day, we just didn’t have any means for communication—no phone, no computer, no nothing, mostly no brain due to jet lag!

Next, our brother-in-law, Dan Shaffer is celebrating his birthday Feb 16 in Garland, Utah. Janeal, his wife, is Carl’s sister. We feel a great deal of love for him and for the great happiness he has brought into Janeal’s life. He has been a super grandfather….Holly’s kids have really connected with him. Then there is all that great woodworking that he does. We have been the beneficiaries of his and Janeal’s work. Not only does he do great work with all the fancy tools, but he has taught Janeal how to create and they have made marvelous gifts for Christmas that are becoming heirlooms. Happy Birthday, Dan, we love you.

Next, Feb 17 is my Mom’s birthday. Though she died in 1993, I still like to think of her and my Dad, and Gerard on their birthdays. It is amazing over the years the number of people who for no apparent reason happen to mention her in our conversation. For instance, they might say, “Your Mom was such a nice lady. I always enjoyed coming to your home and seeing the neat things she did with decorating—like the upstairs bathroom having all those magazine covers all over the wall.” For my remembrance of her on this day, from this far away place—I was working out in the garden today, trying to get an understanding about what to do for things that are growing out of control and just what can we expect to have happen here—when into my mind pops the image of the flower garden that she and Dad created on the east side of our house on Yale Avenue. I can remember how many beautiful colors were in that garden and how as a little girl my Mom was fixing my hair and I looked out the window and got that wonderful feeling of “SPRING” when I saw those colors coming up. To end this little thought journey, I want to acknowledge that some of Mom’s talents are showing up in her granddaughters’ talents.

For instance, our daughter, Margaret, our youngest daughter, has created her own beautiful garden just up from the old family home. There are daises, and tulips and, well, check out the picture.

Heidi, our oldest daughter has carried on a flair for home decoration. Her home has wonderful touches of color, surprise, and ingenious uses of materials---like an old screen door touched with color and hung as a picture. Heidi has given us lots of ideas for the homes we have lived in over these past 20 years as well as earning a degree in Interior Design. Hooray for the women and their creativity!

Feb 18 is our grandson’s Sean’s 9^th birthday. He is Heidi and Greg’s 4^th child. Sean has the most delightful personality. He seems to perceive things that most kids do not even notice—like following an adult conversation and then asking a question about why that particular thing is so. He is very creative in his play coming up with creatures and situations that are unique. Then there is his gentle heart. He wants everybody to be happy and knows when someone needs a hug. We are thinking of you, Sean, and send our love and a hug.