DAY 10 of 50 – Mom’s Birthday

Today is Mom’s bday. She would be 99 — and she’d be furious for me telling her age.

   Mom had it tough growing up, tougher than most. But even with all the hurt, hardship, and struggle — she never let it harden her. Throughout her life she was a gentle and caring woman, and the very truest friend.

   Mom was painfully quiet and shy. Her favorite church callings were Ward Librarian, Primary Secretary, Visiting Teaching Coordinator. She preferred being in the background, while most of her friends (and Dad) were the ones upfront and in the limelight. That just wasn’t her thing. I never heard her give a talk, a prayer, or bear her testimony publicly — she didn’t even attend my sister’s Mission Farewell because she was afraid that Bishop Harris would ask her to speak (and Ted just might have tried it too).

   Years later, realizing I’d never heard her testimony, when I was about age 14, standing there in the kitchen, she quietly but firmly bore her testimony to me — just to me. It was simple, beautiful, strong, personal, and tear-filled. And it is a moment I will always cherish.

   I may not have learned to make her fabulous Divinity Candy, and I may not be quiet or shy, but just like my mom I have a testimony that is strong, simple, and clear. And one borne out of hardship and heartache – maybe different than what Mom experienced, but it has given me a newfound sense of appreciation for the trials she faced in her life.

   For her birthday, we probably would have gone to Alioto’s at Fisherman’s Wharf – or Marie Calendar’s. And she would have sneaked her dinner roll home in a sandwich bag she kept in her purse. We would have sung to her, with Dad joining in – off-key as ever. And she would have Oooooo’d and Ahhhhh’d over whatever birthday present we gave her, because she truly never expected anything and sincerely appreciated everything.

   She’s been gone 15 years now, and I miss her all the time. I miss the big things, and the little things. And I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing life she blessed me with.

DAY 9 of 50 – Payson Temple Tour

Despite growing up outside of Utah, I’ve never lived more than 15 minutes from a temple. Back when I was a kid there were only 23 temples, so it was much tougher. But nowadays with the new Star Valley Wyoming Temple breaking ground last week and the new Payson Utah Temple opening next month, it’s significantly easier to be close to one of the 150 temples in the world.

   Today I had the opportunity to go to the Payson Temple Open House. The original plans with the group disintegrated, but I decided to go anyway – and I’m so glad that I did.

   As it happens, I got there just as the volunteer shifts were changing, which caused a little confusion. I was directed down the wrong hall, and as everyone else went into a meeting room, I continued down the hall – fully expecting to find the next step of the tour ahead. Instead I turned the corner, went through the next door – and ended up in the Bride’s Dressing Room, all alone. It’s a stunningly beautiful room, but even more was the tremendous sense of peace that washed over me. All alone, no crowds, no kids. Just a few moments to myself to not only appreciate the beauty of the room, but also to appreciate the Spirit of the Temple. Although temples are usually quiet and peaceful, they are typically busy and filled with people. I can only remember one other time of such solitude in the temple, and that was nearly 25 years ago.

   Despite that this temple isn’t dedicated and open for temple work yet, there is a reverence already present there. Everything about this magnificent structure resonates with the sacred nature of its purpose. And in that moment, I felt the very thinness of the veil between this world and the next. And despite being the only person in the room, there was an overwhelming sense that I was certainly not alone. I drank it in for a few minutes – that feeling, that true sense of communing. Then, knowing I was inadvertently in the wrong place, I ventured back out to find a guide a get back on the regular part of the tour.

   At first I was a bit disappointed that the rest of the group cancelled. But looking back I now understand that it happened just the way it was supposed to – as do so many things in this life. At the time, we cannot see it – but God definitely has a plan for each of us. And yesterday I was reminded of His plan for me.

DAY 8 of 50 – IKEA: Some Assembly Required

There are two big buildings just west of the freeway at Point of the Mountain. Both are surrounded by quite a bit of land. Both are places most men work very hard to avoid entering. Both require very specific steps to get out of. One is the State Prison. The other is Ikea.

   Last week I went on a date to Ikea – and, yes, shopping together at Ikea is the true test of any relationship. It started well, because we started at the Café. He’d NEVER been to Ikea before (gasp! – I know, right???) The meatballs were heavenly. And after lunch, we shopped – at least for a little bit. About halfway through the top floor, he needed to leave – so we headed for the exit. Easier said than done. Just like the Hotel California, “You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

   I knew that there were some “cut-thrus” on the upper floor. But once you finish the top floor, you can only go down to the lower level shopping area – which makes you meander through the entire place before leaving. The escalator only goes up. The elevator only goes up – there isn’t even a down button. So I took his arm and rushed him through the dishes, the pillows, the lighting, the bedding, the baskets, the boxes, and finally the plants – end in sight. But as we got to that end, he was rather disappointed to see that there was still a HUGE section of the warehouse ahead of us. But eventually we made it out of there – no trail of breadcrumbs left behind, at least not this time.

   And today, yes I went to Ikea again. No date this time, a girlfriend who needed to get a few things. We met for dinner – more meatballs. We caught up on all the happenings in our lives, and because Ikea is HUGE, we had plenty of time for visiting. We looked at sofa beds. We looked at linens. We shopped for silverware. We perused kitchen tables. And we meandered slowly – no shortcuts, no rushing – just lovely laid-back browsing.

   Yes, I’ll be going back again – and soon too. I’ll go home and measure one more time, and then, Shopping List in-hand, I will be back for a few larger purchases. (Thank heavens I drive a truck!)

   So if you haven’t ever been to Ikea (gasp!), you should go. Stop at the Café and have some wonderful Swedish meatballs [Ikea is a Swedish company]. Heck, they even have a Child Drop-Off Zone so parents can shop leisurely without the little ones – and the little ones have a wonderful time in the Play Zone too.

   But do be careful who you go to Ikea with – it is definitely a make-or-break a relationship kindof a place!