October 2007

When I w as growing up my sister and I use to listen to the radio while we were cleaning the house. This gradually evolved for me into watching TV while I was working. Yesterday I had had enough of Brittany Spears and the choices she made in her life. I turned off the TV and put on a couple of my CD’s which I haven’t played for a long time. I danced and sang to Nat King Cole while I cleaned the kitchen. Then as I sang and cried and reminisced to the hymns, I straightened the living room
When my husband called from work he commented on how much happier I sounded than usual.

Music is an emotional experience for me.
Nat King Cole reminds me of growing up in the 50’s in a small town. During “Love at “Home I remembered that when my children were small and quarrelsome—I would hum it under my breath—just loud enough for them to hear it and get the point. “Because I Have Been Given Much” was sung at my nephew’s funeral, I Stand All Amazed at my son’s; “Amazing Grace” at my mother’s.(A funny side note—I wasn’t paying attention to what was playing just now till a phrase got through into my conscious mind. “Music is a Gift from Him” by Hilary Weeks.) It’s true. Good music is a gift from God that we can all enjoy.

Now that I officially have an “empty nest” I have wanted to enlarge on the spiritual side of my life. Someone asked me how we could find time to study the scriptures in our busy lives. I answered that I do it first. I start my day with a chapter from the Book of Mormon, An article from the Ensign and a chapter from a book written by one of our Apostles. Of course I don’t have a four year old either!
In this month’s Ensign, Kathleen H. Hughes, former first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency is quoted as saying ,”Ye are laying the foundation of a great work. ‘And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (D&C 64:[33};…The great work we wish to do will proceed from ‘small things.’ One of those small things, I have learned , is that I must find the time to fill my own spiritual reservoir each day” (“Out of Small Things,” Ensign, Nov. 2004.
It takes but a small moment to turn off the TV and to turn on some quiet peaceful music.
It takes but a little effort to smile and say ,”Hello” to a neighbor.—To give a smile or a kind word to those we meet at work.
Have a great month!
Wendy

THE VALUE OF EVERYDAY LIFE
Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit, and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.
Susan B. Anthony. Reformer (1820-1906)