Looking Back at 2008

In case you didn't know (I didn't until I looked it up) the traditional New Year's song, "Auld Lang Syne" was written by poet Robert Burns. Its translation is, "old long since". In the cryptic sort of way of a Scotsman in the 1700's it reminds us to look over the past year and recall the people, places and things that remain forever in our memories.
Therefore, on this last day of the year I look back at 2008 with fond memories. It has been a year filled with amazing adventures mostly involving the people I love most, my family. A trip to Hawaii with all our family, travel to see Alex and Teanca in plays, visiting in Utah, an Alaskan cruise, Grandma Louise Wright's memorial service, Robyn and Jeff's Wedding, Thanksgiving week with Ken, Sarah, Addie and Ian, Christmas with "Super" Grandpa Wright, a visit from Megan and Jonathan Day, Dad's retirement...well, sort of. If I could have seen a year ago what 2008 would have held for me I probably would have said, "You've got to be kidding!" And yet, this year has been one of the most amazing of my life. I can't wait to see what 2009 will bring.
My resolution for 2009 is simple. I plan to enjoy the adventure of each day. That's it. I figure I can keep that resolution. I've gotten over the expectation that I can plan my life out in advance for the most advantageous use of my time. I know that the Lord has a plan for me and if I am courageous enough, and faithful enough I will allow the Lord to lead me through this grand adventure of life.
Happy New Year and may 2009 hold wonderful adventures for you, too.

Celebrating Life

Tomorrow our baby girl turns 24. How did that happen? I think of the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from "Fiddler on the Roof" and I can understand the whistful phrase as the parents consider their children, "I don't remember growing older. When did they?" Not that I begrudge my daughter's growing up. Those were fun-filled challenging times that I would not trade for a second. I loved being nearby as she took her first, very independent steps, watching her excel in school and being her most ardent audience as she danced and sang through life. She has grown into a woman of great grace and beauty. I just don't know what happened to me while she was growing up. Where did all those wrinkles come from? How did my eyesight blur so much? How come a nap sounds better and better even though I still can't nap. Yet. It's as if my mind has been in suspended animation for years but my body has been oh, quite steadily marching to time's cadence. And now as I consider our daughter's birthday, reality catches up with me. And I see what I've become. But, I have a lovely 24 year old daughter to focus on, and four other children, their spouses, four grandchildren whom I adore, and a husband who tells me I'm as beautiful as I've always been (I think his eyesight is a little fuzzy, too, but maybe that's a gift from God at our age.) As I have said many times, I don't mind growing old, I just don't want to grow up. What I mean by that is I always want to enjoy life as a child does with open appreciation for beauty. I want to always be ready to laugh...and cry...and not apologize for either. I want to love openly without having to qualify to whom I give my love. I want to cherish every moment, for I have learned moments quickly turn into years...24 of them sometimes. Thank you, Megan, for being such a beautiful part of my life. You are a reminder that life is very, very good...no matter what age you are.

A True Friend

Nancy is a true friend. The two of us have known each other since 1984 when we both had babes in arms (or in her case babe in backpack), several other children in tow and husbands busy providing for our families. We are sisters, not by genetic linkage, but sisters of the heart. We have shared in the joys and the sorrows of our lives, laughed until we cried, and cried until we laughed. We can talk for hours. Once all the way to Utah. Nonstop. Sometimes there are no words. Just the quiet understanding of two friends. We have forged a friendship that will last for all time. Over the years we have been separated by distance from time to time, but the friendship that began over 23 years ago has continued and grown. We still laugh together, we still cry together. We still get ourselves into mischief fairly regularly. Our families understand and shake their heads in wonder at the bond we have. Closer than friends. We truly are sisters of the heart.

Let's Have a Simple Wedding

It started during the summer with a simple "Will you marry me" and ended simply with a "Yes!" last weekend, October 11, 2008, as Jeff and Robyn were sealed for time and eternity in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, Utah. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the creation of this new family...The Jeff and Robyn Stockett family. And it was simply wonderful. I have been part of the wedding plans of many friends and family members, watched brides stress over choosing the right dress, the perfect invitation, the correct number of attendants and have even myself watched "Platinum Weddings" on the Wedding Channel just to see what a lavish wedding looks like. I have come to the conclusion that the most elegant and lovely wedding is the one where two people who love each other deeply marry and promise to be together forever. As I have said many times..."the rest is just fluff". The love that we saw in Jeff and Robyn as they began their lives as husband and wife was truly a joy. To have our family gathered to help celebrate in itself was a slice of heaven. These are the moments that no wedding coordinator can manufacture. A simple wedding, yes. And simply divine.

You're Still the One...and We're Still Havin' Fun!

Thirty-eight years ago this week we started on this journey together. Without a moment's hesitation we said "I do", not really knowing where our path would lead, but knowing we would walk it together hand in hand. We have a quirky way of holding hands, interlocking our little fingers... because it is more comfortable that way and it's our way of saying, "I love you." We have always done this. From the first moment our hands joined, they slipped naturally into this configuration. It is as if we were uniquely fitted to one another from the first. Companions, friends, sweethearts, confidants, cheerleaders, fellow adventurers, soul-mates. Forever as one.

Today, wherever we go we still hold hands, interlocked fingers signifying the most treasured relationship of my life. And yes, John, you're still the one...and we're still havin' fun!

Aloha Ohana

The Hawaiian word "Aloha" we learned on our family vacation has three meanings, "Hello", "Goodbye" and "I love you". "Ohana" means family and for a glorious several days on the island of Oahu fifteen of our family members from age two to 88, spanning four generations experienced the joys of "Aloha". We walked together on the beaches of North Shore, played in the surf, ate papaya, mango and pineapple fresh from the roadside stands each day. We watched children and grandchildren build sandcastles, snorkeled in Sharks Cove where thankfully there were no sharks. We walked through the spectacular Waimea canyon where every turn produced a photo op. We took hundreds of pictures to commemorate this fleeting time when we were all together, a family that filled each day with laughter and love. We said "Aloha" when we arrived and we hugged then said "Aloha" as we parted. In saying so we also meant the last and true meaning of "Aloha", "I love you." So, Aloha Ohana, until we all meet again.

Generations of Love

Everyone has a father. Mine was a great man with great intellect, passion and love of family. He is remembered as a dedicated artist, craftsman, debater, scientist, chef, innovator, stickler for doing things right, and broke into song with his fabulous baritone voice at a moment's inspiration. His children and grandchildren are a rich heritage and carry on those traits he showed so well. Happy Father's Day, Dad.

The Wright Way

Thirty-one years is a long time to be at one place. On April 30, 2008 John finally rolled up the maps of the city that filled his office and retired as Director of Planning and Development Services. It was not an easy move. As a matter of fact, as in all moves, there was in making this move a great deal of thought, angst, effort and twinges of sadness. It was a difficult choice to leave projects yet to be completed, good co-workers and friends, and the position that gave him the ability to make so many good things happen in the community. But it was the right choice. One that will give him many more opportunities in the future to show what the Wright Way is: that love of family is important, that communities can be places where families can grow and live good lives, that faith and good works go hand in hand. The city that John served so well for so many years gave him a gift: a street sign with "WRIGHT WAY...31 years" on it. How fitting to make this a signpost in a life well lived and marks just a part of the journey toward great opportunities to come.

Page One

Everyone has a story. I find that most people are willing to tell a story, but few are willing to write theirs down. Maybe it makes the story permanent and unchangeable once it becomes print. Perhaps there is a part in each of us that wants to modify our stories each time we tell them. Not that in doing so the story becomes inaccurate, or worse, false, but the focus may change as our lives change. What was once important to us at a stage in our life may move to the background as other facets of our lives take prominence. As I begin this Blog, and do so at the urging of my fellow family bloggers, I find myself reluctant to put into words what my mind constructs. I've come to the conclusion that I don't need to be profound every day. Perhaps as the story unfolds the readers will deem what is important--or not. For me, I begin...Page One.