One of my favorite times of the year. The sun is shining and the flowers are popping out with such a beautiful aray of colors that it takes my breath away. The earth is beginning to come alive with all sorts of lovely things and I enjoy each one, well maybe not the weeds so much! A real lesson in what the Lord has hoped we learned about His great Plan for all His children. The winter with it's dark days and reasons for staying inside are gone and the invitation abounds everywhere to come out and enjoy life and the beauties of the earth we live on.
Our Spirits are renewed. Possibly, because in some ways; these beautiful days have a silent way of reminding us of our previous home where we enjoyed the companionship of our Heavenly Parents. There, when we were preparing to come here for "our time on earth"! Through all the trials we face here, we had learned there, they would all be worth our struggles. Have you ever turned your face heaven ward in a spring shower? Try it, the refreshing effect will do wonders for you. Almost like a refreshing touch from heaven in the rebirth of the earths renewal with life. There is never another time of the year when there is so much beauty around. When the eye is able to find lovely colors and freshness. The time of year when our Lord and Savior was born and when He came back to show us He had overcome the sorrow of seperation for us. We are his Children in the Covenant and He loves us. There is not now nor has there ever been a soul born into the flesh of this earth that the Savior Jesus Christ has not loved and given His all for. There are those who have lost sight of that fact, but it does not change the purpose or the reason for His loving anyone of us less.
I will admit that modern society has made a great deal out of Easter Egg Hunts and Baskets filled with candy, etc. These are things that have been added, and make children happy and able to enjoy the beauties of the season. However, all the candy, new dresses, etc. does not give them the true reason for why they are so happy and celebrating this time of the year. This morning I was cleaning and dusted a picture of Jesus with some Children. My mind was turned to that part of the Book of Mormon in Third Nephi where the Lord was surrounded by the Children on this the American Continent and blessed each one, one by one. The Children were heard to speak many wonderful things, in fact so wonderful that they could not even be written. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our children today could experience even a fraction of what that may have been like? To be in the presents of the Savior and feel of His love for them. To know that He had done everything necessary for them to return "home" if only they would look to Him and follow His Commandments. The very things that could make them truly happy, not only at this time of the year, but everyday of their lives. Happiness is not money, and "stuff". Happiness is something entirely different and sometimes very hard to explain.
When I was young I really believed I would be happy when I was able to do what I wanted. Then I grew up and am certainly able to do the things that I want, only I have found out that a lot of what I though I would just love to do have turned into things I have to do to just make everyday more pleasant. For instant, driving a car. If I couldn't, getting to and from the store would be a very big problem. What I thought would be the greatest has been turned into one of those normal, have to's. Learning has made me realize that life was not ment to be filled with a lot of fun things, but that when the fun things do come along, they are so sweet. Just to show how simple I have become in my "ancient of age" I can not get enough of a baby laughing. Those sweet giggles are just about the sweetest music in the world. To watch a small child playing with it's Daddy or Mommie, well there isn't much that can top that. I would match that with the smell of a new baby, all bathed and powdered. The nostrils were made for such things as that!
Just as spring has such beauty that tickles and teases every sence, even causing some of us to wheeze and sneeze, it does come and go quickly. So is the time we may enjoy with the little ones who enter our lives. Nothing stays the same. We need to grasp those things we cherish quickly for they surely will be gone before we can scarcely believe it.
This life is short, yet seems long. In God's time table we are here but for a very few seconds or minutes. One of His days is like a Thousand of our Years. If life passes quickly there, it is still a long time for a loving Heavenly Father and Mother to be seperated from those they love. Even more difficult when they witness their children struggling through their mortal life span. Everyday passes quickly. Growing older only teaches us that the time does not slow down, in fact it seems to excellerate. One day seems to blend into another until the weeks become shorter and shorter. We are not waiting for the season to change, but for the opportunities to be met and dealt with until we have finished the work and are truly ready to move on.
It is Easter Time again. We enjoy the things that make Spring so special and we will experience the fun times this season brings. In that enjoying I truly hope we will take just a short amount of time to drink in the reason for all this beauty. Jesus came into the world, a baby with all the challenges every baby faces. Learning day by day the things that will return them to their Heavenly Home. Jesus was the only perfect person to be born on this earth, but He invites each of us to join Him in this journey so we may too return to our Heavenly Home. After 33 years of learning and teaching Jesus suffered for each of us and died that we might live with Him in that Heavenly Home. It was not a grandeous event. Rather sad and lonely really, but it was something He had "offered" to do for each of us. Something difficult, but necessary for the salvation of all the spirit children of Heavenly Father. It is this time of the year when we should find great joy in the season, and the renewal around us that is a reminder we too will be renewed and come forth in our own time and season. Nothing will be lost to us. We will be reunited with those we love and who love us. We will be in a place where we may enjoy an eternity of beauty and love, if we have been faithful.
How fortunate to have been part of the Church and Kingdom of God here in this life. How exciting to realize that we had made great choices in our First Estate and were found worthy to join the Saints at this time and in this place to further the work of the Lord. Most of the time I barely think of this, but it is something that we should all be remembering. I was born in a small mining town in Ohio. Why then, did I end up in California? Of all the people I had rubbed shoulders with, how come I ended up with a member of the Church, a Church I had beed afraid of? How was it the Missionaries were able to find my home, leave a Book of Mormon with Jay, who was not interested in being active, yet left it for me to read? How was it I was so afraid to be rude to those Missionaries I had never met, and not at least read a few pages before they came to see me? How come I found things to question during my reading that led me to the answers that converted me? Who am I that such a great thing should happen? I am a daughter of God and apparently had done something of worth in my First Estate. I may have been lost, but I was found. How come? There will be a day when all the questions will be answered, but for now I am satisfied to do my best in moving forward as I have learned and am still being taught to be a worthy member in Gods Kingdom. To follow Jesus and try to do what He would want me to do. My time on earth has been far longer than I had expected. I am greatful for every day that has been granted to me to enjoy my family and to be about my Fathers business. My calling may not be the most important, but if I don't do it, who will?
It is nearly Easter - I am thrilled with the thought Conference is the same day. What a blessing to set and "listen to the Prophets speak". We live in a very special time, and are blessed to be in a time when we have the modern technology to allow us to see and hear what is taking place hundreds of miles from where we are. I have sat in Conference Sessions in Salt Lake City, but can testify the spirit is with me just as much in my own living room as in the Tabernacle or Conference Center. I am looking forward to this Easter. I am enjoying the rebirth of the earth with all its glory in flower and sunshine. I am blessed, and I am greatful!
Written this 23 day of March, 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Movies
The Acadamey Awards have just been awarded and I can't say much about them, because I don't attend the movies they make today. I am not into what they think is entertainment. That is what happens when my whole life was built around the Movie Industry that was made up of the Studio developed Stars. We lived on the Movie Magazines. None of this Tabloid junk they pump out in volumes today. Those were the days when the Stars had real pazazz. The men were well dressed and clean cut, the women were either beautiful, or so talented, who cared? When you picked up a Movie Magazine it was to read about your favoite Star and what they were doing, or how their "real life" was going. The Studio had a way of keeping any unsightly stuff out of print. We weren't into all the back page junk the tabloids pump out regularly today. After all - Movies were a way to step out of your hum-drum lives and into the sleak and lovely settings that were flashed on the big "silver screens" in those handsomely decorated Theaters. One could be dazzled with a "sneak preview" in town once in awhile. This was when the Stars actually showed up with their fancy cars and beautiful clothes and furs. Yes! In those days they "dared" to wear a fur coat or stoal. Well back then, anyone who had the money could have a fur coat if they wanted and there weren't any rude person telling them they were doing anything wrong wearing it. Our society has fallen to the state that we can't eat, drink, wear, or enjoy most of what was very common place back there when there wasn't all that much to enjoy. Today with so much to make our lives great, those "nuts" are out there telling us we are "heartless" or ill informed by doing one thing or another that they deem wrong. Tough!
Today you couldn't find a Star if you tried. Most of what they use in the Movies today are just actors moving through or being used to depict something that is very likely not at all natural or normal to the "real lives" people live. How many cars has any normal person, or police person smashed up this week. Why if it was like they portray on the screens today, the entire world would be littered with junk yards just to take care of all the smashed up cars, broken buildings not to mention how busy the hospitals would be with caring for all the shot, cut up or beaten folks produced daily. Movies were ment to entertain, not destroy. They were ment to give us a lift up, not a show of how not to live. They were to give romance a great lift not depict how mean or lack of caring can effect us. We don't need to be put into areas that could no more happen on any given day in our lives than we need to be frightened by unforseen tragedy. Life has enough hard things to deal with than to add to it those things that are neither good for us or could possibly happen.
I have wondered how it is that movie makers today haven't figured out just why great, clean, delightful animated films can bring in such large amounts of viewers and funds, and they haven't realized that Movies were ment to "entertain". That word means one heck of a lot. We went into the movie with our daily worries and came out feeling like we were refreshed and uplifted. We could meet head on the things around us and still keep a great outlook on life. Go to most of the movies today and you leave the theatre more depressed than when you went in and your wallet is far thinner too. Paying hard earned money to be depressed seems so foolish.
When we went to the movies we saw the men dressed to the "9's" and the women dress to "kill".
Or that was the phrase they used back then. They were "knock outs". They had their hair
"styled", not dripping wet and handing like an over done noodle down their backs. Shoes were a must, and no thinking person would have gone out without out "sox" or hose on. The hose were most fashionable when they had a seam up the back and in some cases they had a very fancy knit heel that made the ankle look terrific. Shoes were beautiful and fit the outfit the lady had on. If she was casual it was common to see a beautiful pair of oxfords. Then she would have hose on and probably a pair of "ankle sox" as well. Well when the kids wore them they were called "bobby sox". No one put on a pair of shoes without stockings of some sort. Praise the Lord, they didn't have "flip flops" either. You never saw anyone in the movies with "bear feet".
I have mentioned before, I believe, that hats and gloves were necessary too. How great the gals all looked with their cute hats and various styles of gloves. Even the men would not be properly dressed in most of the Movies without a hat or suede gloves. Of course they always had a "top coat". You rarely see anyone wearing such things today. Of course the suit isn't normal dress for most men today either. If a man worked in a trade he did not wear a suit to work naturally, but if he took his family out for the evening, he certainly dressed more formal than they do today, in or out of the Movies.
While styles change, some come back occasionally. Too bad some of those styles can't be brought back. Then maybe they wouldn't fit into todays way of life. Things are too casual for such things. Casual is great, but when one travels it seems the real casual could be left at home and a more refined way of dressing could be the norm. It seems about 15 years ago when we made a trip on the train or plane, we got "dressed up". We looked like we were headed to a great affair and wanted to put in a great impression when we arrived. If most folks are going to anything important today, it would be pretty difficult to know it. The styles have changed so much that even some heading for important appointments hardly look like they were ready to get envolved when they get off at their destination. Even at some churchs today we witness the total casual attire being perfectly accepted at Sunday services. When I was younger, well, even now I figure I have a "Sunday Best" for such occasions. I confess I even think hose and
"closed in" shoes are necessary to show my respect for Church. Concidering my age however I guess that is to be expected. I find most older people follow that line of thinking as well. I know one thing I could never do in Church was walk around in bear feet. Times change and I would have to say, not always for the best. Like I say, concider my age!
Well the Movies did play a great part in how we dressed, and what we looked forward to. We wanted to have things the way they looked "in the movies". Beautiful homes and nice cars, we hoped for vacations in neat places like they found to "shoot" their outdoor scenes. We wanted to be suave like the Stars and "turn heads" when we entered a room. We hoped we could find love like the Movies said it could be and have our lives end "happily ever after". No movie dared leave us feeling let down, or in worse shape than when we entered. The only things that left us "hanging" were the Serials that played at the Saturday Matinee, and they would eventually end with the "good guys" winning. It may sound a bit corny today, but it was the stuff we based our hum drum lives on back when there was very little to inspire us. There were few extras in life back then. Christmas was pretty bare compared to what is experienced today. If there was any extra at the end of payday, it would be concidered pretty exciting. It certainly wasn't spent on noncencical things. I don't recall going to the Doctor or Dentist all that often. They were depicted in the movies, but usually in emergency cases, and that was about the way it was with us. Of course back then there weren't many hospitals so emergency rooms were not all that common. We had to see "Dr. Kildare" movies to know that kind of think even existed. Somethings have changed for the best, but then even the best seems to have become abused. Such is the way of things I guess.
I am greatful for the Movies we enjoyed. I wouldn't trade them for what they show today. If you didn't live during the days of "Boston Blackie" or "Mazie" you just haven't known what it can be like. "Blackie" was a reel, and yes that is spelled right, detective. He could get through the most serious cases with ease. He was super and made Chester Morris a great Star of the "B" Movies. "Mazie" was a wild dresser and funny in the cituations she got herself into. Going to a "Mazie" movie was a lot of laughs and fun for the whole family. Ann Sothern (sp correctly too)
was a beautiful blonde who had a comedic style that pleased everyone. The Serials included Buster Crabb as "Flash Gordon" he was an Olympic Swimmer, but made some exciting Saturday afternoons for us kids. Kind of funky now compared to the way they do such things today, but it was O.K. for us then. Next to "Star Trek" it looks hokey, but then it was fascinating what they did.
Well, you take yours, and I'll still dream about the good old days of the "Movies". I am greatful I can get so many of them on DVD now, and re-enjoy them in my living room today. Oh, I will admit that the fancy clothes then are not all that smashing today, but when you concider that Irene Dunn and Olivia de Havilland or even Ann Southern are wearing them, you have to admit that they still have style, and the hair do's show a great deal of suave. How fortunate that I can recall all of that and try and share some of it with you today. It may not mean to you what it does to me, but it can make you stop and think about something different and purhaps make a small difference in how you look at life in general. There is always another side to everything, this is the side I like to remember.
Written this 18th day of March 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Today you couldn't find a Star if you tried. Most of what they use in the Movies today are just actors moving through or being used to depict something that is very likely not at all natural or normal to the "real lives" people live. How many cars has any normal person, or police person smashed up this week. Why if it was like they portray on the screens today, the entire world would be littered with junk yards just to take care of all the smashed up cars, broken buildings not to mention how busy the hospitals would be with caring for all the shot, cut up or beaten folks produced daily. Movies were ment to entertain, not destroy. They were ment to give us a lift up, not a show of how not to live. They were to give romance a great lift not depict how mean or lack of caring can effect us. We don't need to be put into areas that could no more happen on any given day in our lives than we need to be frightened by unforseen tragedy. Life has enough hard things to deal with than to add to it those things that are neither good for us or could possibly happen.
I have wondered how it is that movie makers today haven't figured out just why great, clean, delightful animated films can bring in such large amounts of viewers and funds, and they haven't realized that Movies were ment to "entertain". That word means one heck of a lot. We went into the movie with our daily worries and came out feeling like we were refreshed and uplifted. We could meet head on the things around us and still keep a great outlook on life. Go to most of the movies today and you leave the theatre more depressed than when you went in and your wallet is far thinner too. Paying hard earned money to be depressed seems so foolish.
When we went to the movies we saw the men dressed to the "9's" and the women dress to "kill".
Or that was the phrase they used back then. They were "knock outs". They had their hair
"styled", not dripping wet and handing like an over done noodle down their backs. Shoes were a must, and no thinking person would have gone out without out "sox" or hose on. The hose were most fashionable when they had a seam up the back and in some cases they had a very fancy knit heel that made the ankle look terrific. Shoes were beautiful and fit the outfit the lady had on. If she was casual it was common to see a beautiful pair of oxfords. Then she would have hose on and probably a pair of "ankle sox" as well. Well when the kids wore them they were called "bobby sox". No one put on a pair of shoes without stockings of some sort. Praise the Lord, they didn't have "flip flops" either. You never saw anyone in the movies with "bear feet".
I have mentioned before, I believe, that hats and gloves were necessary too. How great the gals all looked with their cute hats and various styles of gloves. Even the men would not be properly dressed in most of the Movies without a hat or suede gloves. Of course they always had a "top coat". You rarely see anyone wearing such things today. Of course the suit isn't normal dress for most men today either. If a man worked in a trade he did not wear a suit to work naturally, but if he took his family out for the evening, he certainly dressed more formal than they do today, in or out of the Movies.
While styles change, some come back occasionally. Too bad some of those styles can't be brought back. Then maybe they wouldn't fit into todays way of life. Things are too casual for such things. Casual is great, but when one travels it seems the real casual could be left at home and a more refined way of dressing could be the norm. It seems about 15 years ago when we made a trip on the train or plane, we got "dressed up". We looked like we were headed to a great affair and wanted to put in a great impression when we arrived. If most folks are going to anything important today, it would be pretty difficult to know it. The styles have changed so much that even some heading for important appointments hardly look like they were ready to get envolved when they get off at their destination. Even at some churchs today we witness the total casual attire being perfectly accepted at Sunday services. When I was younger, well, even now I figure I have a "Sunday Best" for such occasions. I confess I even think hose and
"closed in" shoes are necessary to show my respect for Church. Concidering my age however I guess that is to be expected. I find most older people follow that line of thinking as well. I know one thing I could never do in Church was walk around in bear feet. Times change and I would have to say, not always for the best. Like I say, concider my age!
Well the Movies did play a great part in how we dressed, and what we looked forward to. We wanted to have things the way they looked "in the movies". Beautiful homes and nice cars, we hoped for vacations in neat places like they found to "shoot" their outdoor scenes. We wanted to be suave like the Stars and "turn heads" when we entered a room. We hoped we could find love like the Movies said it could be and have our lives end "happily ever after". No movie dared leave us feeling let down, or in worse shape than when we entered. The only things that left us "hanging" were the Serials that played at the Saturday Matinee, and they would eventually end with the "good guys" winning. It may sound a bit corny today, but it was the stuff we based our hum drum lives on back when there was very little to inspire us. There were few extras in life back then. Christmas was pretty bare compared to what is experienced today. If there was any extra at the end of payday, it would be concidered pretty exciting. It certainly wasn't spent on noncencical things. I don't recall going to the Doctor or Dentist all that often. They were depicted in the movies, but usually in emergency cases, and that was about the way it was with us. Of course back then there weren't many hospitals so emergency rooms were not all that common. We had to see "Dr. Kildare" movies to know that kind of think even existed. Somethings have changed for the best, but then even the best seems to have become abused. Such is the way of things I guess.
I am greatful for the Movies we enjoyed. I wouldn't trade them for what they show today. If you didn't live during the days of "Boston Blackie" or "Mazie" you just haven't known what it can be like. "Blackie" was a reel, and yes that is spelled right, detective. He could get through the most serious cases with ease. He was super and made Chester Morris a great Star of the "B" Movies. "Mazie" was a wild dresser and funny in the cituations she got herself into. Going to a "Mazie" movie was a lot of laughs and fun for the whole family. Ann Sothern (sp correctly too)
was a beautiful blonde who had a comedic style that pleased everyone. The Serials included Buster Crabb as "Flash Gordon" he was an Olympic Swimmer, but made some exciting Saturday afternoons for us kids. Kind of funky now compared to the way they do such things today, but it was O.K. for us then. Next to "Star Trek" it looks hokey, but then it was fascinating what they did.
Well, you take yours, and I'll still dream about the good old days of the "Movies". I am greatful I can get so many of them on DVD now, and re-enjoy them in my living room today. Oh, I will admit that the fancy clothes then are not all that smashing today, but when you concider that Irene Dunn and Olivia de Havilland or even Ann Southern are wearing them, you have to admit that they still have style, and the hair do's show a great deal of suave. How fortunate that I can recall all of that and try and share some of it with you today. It may not mean to you what it does to me, but it can make you stop and think about something different and purhaps make a small difference in how you look at life in general. There is always another side to everything, this is the side I like to remember.
Written this 18th day of March 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Some Folks I would like to meet again!
Funny how thoughts run through my head at times. Today I was riding along and thought about people who had not crossed my mind in years. No reason, just the way it was. Mr. Homblad the Principle at Pacific Blvd. Elementary School. An average height man, just a bit round, balding and with a pleasant smile. He was nice, and available to the students at the school. Young as I was at the time, he made an impression on me that lingers to this day. Speaking of Principles I would like to meet Mr. Westover from Huntington Park Hight School. He was the Vice Principle, but such a neat man. They named the Auditorium for him after he passed away. He was always smiling and great to be around. Then there was the Policeman who was our crossing guard. Big guy and so good to all the kids. I wish I could recall his name. We always addressed him as "Officer _____". Rain or shine he was always there waiting for us when we got to Slauson Avenue. Busy four lane highway that was a main road to "everywhere". Dangerous street, but we never were afraid because he was there ready to stop the cars and see us across that big street safely.
As time passed and I grew up there were any number of classic characters that made their way through my life. Many left their mark, but not so much as to cling to one thought or another. Then there were the ones who to this day have left fond memories that are still warming to remember. Some were men, some were women. The gender doesn't seem to be as important as the way they touched my life. I realize, now that I am older, that a few were even gay or lesbian, a fact that wasn't really well known to many, but seem to have been known to me for one reason or another. Then it wasn't all that earth shattering, when it should have been. Today they would be "out" and the fact would not be anymore interesting than I found it at that time.
I worked with a number of people that I found either interesting or funny. A boss that went through some trying times and found his employees to be great friends and helped him manage the problems that beset him. I look back on that time and realize even as young as I was at the time - about 18 - I had such sympathy and was always ready to listen to his ramblings over what had befallen him and his family. A time when I grew up in a way I might have missed if it had not been for these circumstances.
I was amazed at some of the women I met and worked with in the Girl Scouts. They had dedicated themselves to the Scouts in a way that I admired. I would like to have been that dedicated, but found I had too many other things in my life that needed my time and attention. I had to learn you can do only so much if you are really to be effective in what you bite off. Never take more than you can chew, as Mom always said. Good advice. A person can try and stretch too far and find they have missed being as effective as they hoped to be and not accomplishing the things that were really important. Days come and go, it is better to do one
thing well than a half dozen things poorly. Too many regrets follow that kind of a thing.
After I joined the Church I met so many inspiring men and women. They were smart, they were ever doing and seldom complaining. One of the first ones I met was a younger Sister who had married young and had a large family. There was little comfort in her home. The children required any extra she and her Husband could scrimp together. They weren't the best dressed, or living in the best house, but they had healthy food on the table and love at home that made the lack bearable. As fate would have it I was assigned as Visiting Teaching partners with her -
I believe it was my first attempt at this calling. We were given the name of a new family that had just arrived. My partner (names are not important to the story) called and asked if I could go and make a "welcome" visit. I was happy to do that. I didn't have a car at the time and her car was a very well worn station wagon that had long since seen a better day. The seats were in pretty bad shape and the interior wasn't all that much better, but it ran - kind of - so off we went. She always had a few smaller children that weren't in school, so the car was full. When we arrived at the home we found a very weary Sister with a number of pre-schoolers of her own. We were invited in and found ourselves in a very limited furnished living room, but plenty of unpacked boxes from the move. We didn't stay long, but long enough for the kids to make friends and learn that one of the children would be celebrating a birthday in a few days. My companion was quick to offer help, which was declined, respectively. I guess she too was aware her "things" weren't all that numerous to need much help. As we drove home my companion made the suggestion we make a party for the child who had to move away from all her friends and family. I wasn't sure what we could do, but I offered to get a couple of presents while my companion said she would bake a cake and get some trinkets to make a fun party. Now I knew this would cut well into what ever budget this Sister had, but she so wanted this little girl to have a good birthday, the thought of the sacrafice was not even concidered.
We surprised the family by showing up with cake and goodies for everyone. That family was so overwhelmed at such a jesture there were wet eyes all around. Lasting friendships were made that day, and children learned that moving wasn't all that bad after all. Sisters who had just met became fast friends and enjoyed a wonderful relationship. It wasn't all that much, but it was more than could have been expected. Two households that were running low on everything but love for their children and faith in their Church. I learned a great deal by that, and as you see I never forgot that event.
When I was in the Girl Scouts I was in charge of a summer day camp. Those who volunteered to help were not know to me. The first day of camp one of the women brough me a beautiful bag to carry my camp cooking gear in. It was beautifully painted with fall leaves. I still have it after all these years - lets see that would be about 30 years ago. I enjoyed working with this women that week. We had a great experience. I never saw her again, but her thoughtful jester has been a great example for me. It may not be a big thing to the one who does such nice things, but to the person, or persons that are on the receiving end remember that thoughtfulness over and over again.
I believe finding the educational advantages in being a member of the Church has been the best influence on my life. I was inspired to make every effort to make the Know You Religion or Education Weeks that came into the area. I have driven miles and spent hours at the feet of those who were willing to share their knowledge with any who would come to partake of these great opportunities. I found those who were presenting various subjects were always ready to reconize those who showed up faithfully to their classes. I made any number of friends with some of the great minds in the Educational System of the Church. I introduced my Mother to these classes and we enjoyed going to many together and sharing the things we learned. I will cherish those times now and always.
Jay made friends that I learned to appreciate as did he. We were able to share family outings with some and go to dinner or enjoy parties with others. You know life brings a lot of different challenges and beneficial encounters over the years. Were all of these great? No, not all, but enough that in looking back, I can honestly say it has been great moving through each one and gleaning from them the best and hanging on to the lessons learned by the worst. Life was never ment to a smooth passage, but it has always been a continuous challenge to find ones way through it with the experiences bring wisdom and satisfaction that it has been worth all it has taken to get to a successful end.
Well I realize I am nearing the end, and find it has been far more rewarding than I could have imagined when I started. Into my life has come some pretty special people. I have taken a few, pretty hard knocks along the way, but have been able to pick myself up and carry on. I am not sure I would care to repeat any of those knocks, but then some I might just give another go if the opportunity presented itself. Just maybe you understand! I am greatful for the lessons I have learned and only wish I could have been more sturdy in some of them. That being said, I am satisfied I have given it my best shot. I faced up to the hard stuff and feel I have been humble for those things which have brought compliments my way. I guess we could all do better, but I am not looking over my shoulder at things I could have done better. After all, we go through life one day at a time, and are continually being bombarded with new things. There is seldom time to look back until time has already past us by. Which means the best way to do anything is to keep focused on what lays ahead. We can't change the past and it is a waste of time to go over it thinking it may make a difference. It won't. All we can ever do is take the lesson and make sure we have learned it well enough we won't stumble over a similar thing in the future. Right? Right!
Well I have "rambled" on long enough - you have a great many things of much more importance than setting at this "one eyed" monster any longer. Have a great day - make it worth your time!
With my love.
Written this 13th day of March 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
As time passed and I grew up there were any number of classic characters that made their way through my life. Many left their mark, but not so much as to cling to one thought or another. Then there were the ones who to this day have left fond memories that are still warming to remember. Some were men, some were women. The gender doesn't seem to be as important as the way they touched my life. I realize, now that I am older, that a few were even gay or lesbian, a fact that wasn't really well known to many, but seem to have been known to me for one reason or another. Then it wasn't all that earth shattering, when it should have been. Today they would be "out" and the fact would not be anymore interesting than I found it at that time.
I worked with a number of people that I found either interesting or funny. A boss that went through some trying times and found his employees to be great friends and helped him manage the problems that beset him. I look back on that time and realize even as young as I was at the time - about 18 - I had such sympathy and was always ready to listen to his ramblings over what had befallen him and his family. A time when I grew up in a way I might have missed if it had not been for these circumstances.
I was amazed at some of the women I met and worked with in the Girl Scouts. They had dedicated themselves to the Scouts in a way that I admired. I would like to have been that dedicated, but found I had too many other things in my life that needed my time and attention. I had to learn you can do only so much if you are really to be effective in what you bite off. Never take more than you can chew, as Mom always said. Good advice. A person can try and stretch too far and find they have missed being as effective as they hoped to be and not accomplishing the things that were really important. Days come and go, it is better to do one
thing well than a half dozen things poorly. Too many regrets follow that kind of a thing.
After I joined the Church I met so many inspiring men and women. They were smart, they were ever doing and seldom complaining. One of the first ones I met was a younger Sister who had married young and had a large family. There was little comfort in her home. The children required any extra she and her Husband could scrimp together. They weren't the best dressed, or living in the best house, but they had healthy food on the table and love at home that made the lack bearable. As fate would have it I was assigned as Visiting Teaching partners with her -
I believe it was my first attempt at this calling. We were given the name of a new family that had just arrived. My partner (names are not important to the story) called and asked if I could go and make a "welcome" visit. I was happy to do that. I didn't have a car at the time and her car was a very well worn station wagon that had long since seen a better day. The seats were in pretty bad shape and the interior wasn't all that much better, but it ran - kind of - so off we went. She always had a few smaller children that weren't in school, so the car was full. When we arrived at the home we found a very weary Sister with a number of pre-schoolers of her own. We were invited in and found ourselves in a very limited furnished living room, but plenty of unpacked boxes from the move. We didn't stay long, but long enough for the kids to make friends and learn that one of the children would be celebrating a birthday in a few days. My companion was quick to offer help, which was declined, respectively. I guess she too was aware her "things" weren't all that numerous to need much help. As we drove home my companion made the suggestion we make a party for the child who had to move away from all her friends and family. I wasn't sure what we could do, but I offered to get a couple of presents while my companion said she would bake a cake and get some trinkets to make a fun party. Now I knew this would cut well into what ever budget this Sister had, but she so wanted this little girl to have a good birthday, the thought of the sacrafice was not even concidered.
We surprised the family by showing up with cake and goodies for everyone. That family was so overwhelmed at such a jesture there were wet eyes all around. Lasting friendships were made that day, and children learned that moving wasn't all that bad after all. Sisters who had just met became fast friends and enjoyed a wonderful relationship. It wasn't all that much, but it was more than could have been expected. Two households that were running low on everything but love for their children and faith in their Church. I learned a great deal by that, and as you see I never forgot that event.
When I was in the Girl Scouts I was in charge of a summer day camp. Those who volunteered to help were not know to me. The first day of camp one of the women brough me a beautiful bag to carry my camp cooking gear in. It was beautifully painted with fall leaves. I still have it after all these years - lets see that would be about 30 years ago. I enjoyed working with this women that week. We had a great experience. I never saw her again, but her thoughtful jester has been a great example for me. It may not be a big thing to the one who does such nice things, but to the person, or persons that are on the receiving end remember that thoughtfulness over and over again.
I believe finding the educational advantages in being a member of the Church has been the best influence on my life. I was inspired to make every effort to make the Know You Religion or Education Weeks that came into the area. I have driven miles and spent hours at the feet of those who were willing to share their knowledge with any who would come to partake of these great opportunities. I found those who were presenting various subjects were always ready to reconize those who showed up faithfully to their classes. I made any number of friends with some of the great minds in the Educational System of the Church. I introduced my Mother to these classes and we enjoyed going to many together and sharing the things we learned. I will cherish those times now and always.
Jay made friends that I learned to appreciate as did he. We were able to share family outings with some and go to dinner or enjoy parties with others. You know life brings a lot of different challenges and beneficial encounters over the years. Were all of these great? No, not all, but enough that in looking back, I can honestly say it has been great moving through each one and gleaning from them the best and hanging on to the lessons learned by the worst. Life was never ment to a smooth passage, but it has always been a continuous challenge to find ones way through it with the experiences bring wisdom and satisfaction that it has been worth all it has taken to get to a successful end.
Well I realize I am nearing the end, and find it has been far more rewarding than I could have imagined when I started. Into my life has come some pretty special people. I have taken a few, pretty hard knocks along the way, but have been able to pick myself up and carry on. I am not sure I would care to repeat any of those knocks, but then some I might just give another go if the opportunity presented itself. Just maybe you understand! I am greatful for the lessons I have learned and only wish I could have been more sturdy in some of them. That being said, I am satisfied I have given it my best shot. I faced up to the hard stuff and feel I have been humble for those things which have brought compliments my way. I guess we could all do better, but I am not looking over my shoulder at things I could have done better. After all, we go through life one day at a time, and are continually being bombarded with new things. There is seldom time to look back until time has already past us by. Which means the best way to do anything is to keep focused on what lays ahead. We can't change the past and it is a waste of time to go over it thinking it may make a difference. It won't. All we can ever do is take the lesson and make sure we have learned it well enough we won't stumble over a similar thing in the future. Right? Right!
Well I have "rambled" on long enough - you have a great many things of much more importance than setting at this "one eyed" monster any longer. Have a great day - make it worth your time!
With my love.
Written this 13th day of March 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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