Invictus

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.



This poem is by William Ernest Henley.  This is one of my Dad's favorite poems and I remember him reciting it for me when I was younger.  I just watched the movie for the first time since I saw it when it was in theatres.  I loved it then and I love it now!  Great movie and great poem!

Quote to Start the Year

I haven't done a quote of the week on here recently so I figure it's about time.  Today’s quote certainly applies to the last year for me.  My family has had a lot of trials and sudden things happen in the past year starting in January and spread all throughout the entire year.  We have been able to hang on and get through the deaths and illnesses and are sure ready to start a fresh new year.  This quote is by President Monson talking about missionary work but it is certainly applicable to life in general.  He said, “The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”  I love this, it is certainly true.

My Rula

Well, I guess it's time to write something about my Grandma Rula.  It does not feel like she is gone, except when I am home and the house is quiet. It has been absolutely wonderful living with her this last few months.  Rula is certainly one of a kind and I love her.  Some of my favorite memories with her are: Camping at Rucker Lake with her and Grandpa, getting massages of course, hearing her holler "yyoooohhhhooooo", playing Skip-Bo with her and having to cheat in her favor in order for her to win some games, and of course spending time with her just watching all her OLD movies (Shirley Temple ones in particular). Grandma lived a long wonderful life and went quickly which has been a shock to us but it's exactly how she wanted it so for that I'm thankful.  Oh boy is she happy now and I can't express in words how blessed I have been to have her for a Grandma and particularly for the opportunity to spend so much time with her lately.  I love my Rula!

This picture was taken at her 90th birthday party a few months ago and she was as healthy as can be. I joked with her that she would live forever because she was too healthy.

Brownie Adair

My friend Brownie, and pretty much Grandma, passed away just over a week ago and I feel like I should write something about her.  I know that at this point she would yell at me and tell me not to put her picture or anything on here.  It is for that exact reason that I am doing it, and she wouldn't expect anything less.  There needs to be something that she would give me a hard time about and vice versa.  That’s how our relationship is; she always called me her little idiot.  Some would say that doesn’t sound very nice but coming from Brownie, it is certainly a term of endearment to me. She had 3 named idiots and I'm proud to be one of them. I miss her already and laugh at the most random memories I have with her.  Things from going to Oregon with her to go down the Granny rapids for her 80^th birthday to calling her as a kid from a hotel just to tell her that I was in the bathroom on the phone, I still don’t know why they would put a phone by the toilet.  She thought that was the funniest thing.  I could continue with so many other funny stories but I’ll stop here.  I think that’s enough for here.  I wish I could have seen the reunion with her and Byron. I can only imagine the celebration.  I love my Brownie and will miss her. 

Mission Reunion with Pres and Sis Engbjerg

Such a great mission reunion.  So fun to see so many friends.  Quite a few more people came late and were unable to be in this picture but it certainly was a fun party.  I have many good memories with so many of these people!  Gotta love it!

Journals

Today I took a little time and looked through my journal of the past almost 2 years.  This journal starts when I moved to Utah, January 09.  It was interesting and I am thankful for journals and for best friends who bug you to write in them. (Thanks Miranda! You're my best friend ever!) I have not been the best at keeping one but I try to write somewhat regularly even if that means once every 3 or 4 or 6 months and update the important events.  I have not done too bad while being in Utah which was fun to look back on.  There were quite a few events that I had forgotten about and I started laughing as I remembered those situations.  I know that in general people say that journals are for your descendants so they can learn about your life etc.  I however think that my journal is of the most use to me.  If my kids kids eventually find something of use in them then that’s great (I can’t really imagine they would) but I have learned from my own writing.  It’s not like I had some huge experience by reading/skimming over my journal but I was reminded of good times and some not so good times.  I guess looking back helps me realize that I have grown, it highlights some really good times as it brings back memories with specific details mentioned, and also helps me realize that hard times come and go.  The key there is that they go.  They do not last forever and I am thankful for them in the end.  I’ve been blessed with many different experiences in my life as well as many wonderful people.

I haven't written anything for a while and somehow I'm at a loss.  I have so many things on my mind but nothing is coming out.   I do have to say that time does baffle me.  I was thinking back to just a year ago and oh how the time flies. Many differences in my life in one year let alone when I think back farther.  It sure makes me feel thankful for the good constants in my life (one of which being change, many good changes).