Familial Research and Development

No. We didn’t go on family trips or summer holidays. We took no vacations as a family. The closest event to this question was when we moved from Kentucky to California. Of that I remember a bit about the train ride. Our stuff was being driven out by the Mayflower moving company. On the train, between cars (going into the dining car), while the train was moving, we had to wait in line and for a while we were in that area between cars, but they had put up some kind of a platform and makeshift walls to protect passengers from the elements and I would suppose to keep any from suicide jumpers from taking advantage of the railroad insurance company. I could see the ground rushing past and was kind of freaked about it. Hey, I was four years old, I didn’t know any better. We lived in Seal Beach for a short while. It was near where Grandma Flint lived (in Long Beach). Bobby brought milk home he ‘found’ outside (it was a milk delivery order at one of the other apartments) and had to take it back...

Opera is something I can watch, but not listen to on the radio—I just haven’t developed an appreciation for it. I do love going to the theater, as long as I’m not watching a tragedy (either Shakespeare or Andrew Lloyd Weber). I loved Les Miserables and the very first stage performance I ever witnessed was Fiddler on the Roof—I love it too. Both of these speak of hope, of the human spirit overcoming the miserable-ness of mortality. Fiddler is all about culture and family. I’ve only been to a single symphony setting performance when Glen Yarborough performed The Forgotten Carols and that is of course dear to my heart so I was thoroughly satisfied with it. I did attend an afternoon rehearsal of a symphony and though I do love most of the music and the blends of the instruments, I could have taken socks, beads, and a crochet hook and enjoyed it more.

When I first unrolled this question I thought it asked how do you like rainstorms, which reminded me of the time, around Mother’s Day in 1993 when David and I were in the Houston area working on some of Valtek’s phone lines in an office they were opening there. I had stepped outside and it was raining, a very soaking, but not driving rain, gentle huge drops. It was warm! I liked it. I don’t recall ever experiencing that before. Warm rain. Wow, as great or greater than taking a shower. I love rain. It’s refreshing, a gift from God, waters lawns, cleans the air, refreshes and renews and pours nutrients into the lawn. I love rain. I feel embraced by God in the rain. The memories of rain take me further back to another rainstorm. Not the one David told me about when we were still newlyweds and he had just crossed a railroad track and then a lightning bolt struck the track and set the lights and alarms off and about scared him senseless. No, no. Much further back than that. I think I was ab...

Early in our marriage my favorite was Reader’s Digest. It helped me with seeking wisdom. I loved the humor sections, the jokes, the witty things it offered. I hungered for the broader understanding of the things of the world, laws, justice, injustice, health items, government, politics, etc. My next favorite was Ladies Home Journal. I learned a lot about being a wife, parenting, and again about health and nutrition. My most favorite magazine is the Ensign. I know, it’s supposed to be for the President’s message or for the Visiting Teaching message, but really and truly my favorite section is the one about Latter-day Saint Voices. I love hearing about others testimonies of growth and development on spiritual matters, the overcoming of the body by the spirit.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell-because he has a deep spiritual base, an understanding and way of expressing the gospel principles and practices. Also, from reading his book I’m realizing how much I relate to him. He couldn’t ride a pony as a child no matter how many times he tried. Some other kid came along and after one day of trying was successful. To this his mother replied you were always kind to the animals. There is more to being always kind to the animals here. He emulated this ‘more’ I’m referring to in his last week of life. He was dying. His wife was speaking to him. He didn’t seem to hear her. She asked him if he had both of his hearing aids in. He replied, “Yes, I do. And if I could I would wear a third one.” He had a sense of humor, a respect and love for his fellow beings, and exemplified his love of the Savior in all things.

Of course to define a favorite author you’re generally looking at a particular book. The one I most enjoy reading is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The reason I like it so much is because it’s a love story, balanced, full of passion—well bridled (something unheard of in literature or any media today), has a balanced proper ending. Which book is read more so than any other could also indicate a ‘favorite’ and that of course is the Book of Mormon. This is where I find the greatest peace and satisfaction. I have found this book to be the greatest parenting guide, marriage and family counselor, spiritual solace, etc. I have since found Bodie & Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee). They are Christian novelists and have written series of books like Zion Covenant, Zion Chronicles, AD Chronicles. I love reading the last set. So far there are 9 novels in it. They have mixed in so much knowledge about Hebrew language and culture-you really develop an appreciation for the people.

Of course we share interests. How can a child, only having one father not want to have something in common with him and search for it and once found embrace it all in the interest of bonding and being one with her father? I went hunting with him; I learned to love dogs with perhaps a greater love than I had for family members. Sad, but true. And yes, dad was like that. I remember how he wept and moped when he had to get rid of Blacky. I loved fishing, though I couldn’t eat the fish. We had a love hate relationship. He loved me. I loved him. Then I grew into my teen years and recognized that so much of what he was preaching and teaching had a grain of truth and much warped opinion. Then began the hate relationship. I wanted so badly to have his approval. It didn’t matter what I did. He knowing that’s what I sought, used that to try and manipulate me for his personal gain and use. As a young mother I went through a grieving period when I realized it and realized that I had little choice ...