Some Pining Moments, Some Shining Moments

Today I'm missing the simple days, the simple things, the simplicity of life back when we couldn't wait to get through it because it was all going to "get easier and be better." (I tried to warn him that wasn't the case! But when he makes his mind up about things, he is one.determined.man.) :-) We had fewer bills, fewer commitments, fewer distractions, fewer worries, fewer miles between us every day.  We played more games, went on more walks, talked more often, worked together on more projects, met more often in the middle of the day just because, laughed more often, cooked together more often, ate together more often.  We had more friends, more opportunities for service just laid at our feet, more feeling like we were needed and a part of something bigger than just us, more hikes, more campouts.  We had fewer children, which meant less joy on the one hand because Brianna has blessed our lives beyond measure or expression, but we were also equally yoked to the task of the children we DID have, and therefore able to do more individually and together than what we are able to do as easily now.  And we had more opportunities to go to the temple (Dave's sister lives in Spokane).

And as I think about these things, I am reminded of the verse of scripture written by Alma, an ancient prophet whose writings are recorded in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ.  Alma begins by saying that he wishes he were an angel and could speak with the trump of God to cry repentance and God's plan of redemption to all people, telling them to come unto God and thereby avoid the sorrow that comes when we do not follow Christ and His ways.  Then he says, "But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."

So today as I am remembering DIFFERENT times, I am reminding myself that they were not BETTER times.  And that where I am now, even though I may seek for righteous things and memories and friends, etc., well I can make the same mistake I made before in longing for a future something that I thought would bring me joys greater than my present something.  Or I can be content with the time and circumstances allotted to me NOW!

And one thing experience has taught me is that today's pining moments may easily be tomorrow's longed-for regrets.

I have a song from the LDS hymnal running through my head as I write this.  The words are:

Improve the shining moments,Don’t let them pass you by;
 Work while the sun is radiant;Work, for the night draws nigh.
 We cannot bid the sunbeams to lengthen out their stay; 
Nor can we ask the shadow to ever stay away.
  

Time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back;
 It comes, then passes forward along its onward track;
 And if we are not mindful,The chance will fade away; 
For life is quick in passing—’Tis as a single day.
 
As winter time doth follow the pleasant summer days, 
So may our joys all vanish, and pass far from our gaze.Then should we not endeavorEach day some point to gain,That we may here be useful,And ev’ry wrong disdain. 

Improve each shining moment;In this you are secure,
 For promptness bringeth safety,And blessings rich and pure.

Let prudence guide your actions,

be honest in your heart,

And God will love and bless you,

And help to you impart.

Among the shining moments of today was a moment this morning.  I had just finished dressing Brianna and, as is our custom with our children, said, 'Look, Daddy!' To which Daddy always replies, "Wow!  You're so pretty (handsome!)!"  So today, after I said my line and Dave said his, Isaac (who was just getting his diaper changed before getting dressed for church) jumped up and ran over to where I was holding Brianna up and gave her the sweetest little side hug all while saying in a high-pitched and very sweet voice, "Brianna - are you pretty, cute girl?  Huh, Brianna?  So pretty?"  It was such a tender moment!

We made cookies for a friend in the ward who just had surgery this last week, and the twins drew cards with their handprints and beautiful scribbles on them, me writing Get Well, Love Abby across the top of one and Soon, Love Isaac across the top of the other.  Then we made another card/plate of cookies for our bishop who was home sick from church today.

And with the recent increase in cookie-making around here, I would like to report that Isaac has learned to share.  After I told him no he couldn't have any more cookies a couple of times (like at least five) and then left the room to work on something else for a minute, Dave reported that Isaac found his way into the office, cookie in hand, tore it into two pieces, and dutifully shared 1/2 of it with his sister before Dave and I caught onto what he was doing and the fact that he had just climbed up onto the counter and TAKEN the largest cookie there!  He's a slick little thief!  And he shared!  *ohhhhhhh*  I'm sure that was part of his cookie-napping scheme -- disobey mom with sugar on top of the disobedience: she isn't going to punish you for sharing! ;-D He's smart -- just brilliant!

Oh, and today during Sacrament Meeting he was sitting on my lap when they passed the sacrament around (bread and water in remembrance of the blood and body of Christ).  He said, "Mommy, more bread, please."  I shook my head silently.  He continued, "Mommy, more sandwich."  I said, "Isaac - it's not a sandwich, it's the Sacrament." I was CERTAIN he would get that it was SPECIAL and stop asking with such an explanation, right?  He didn't hesitate a second before saying, "Mommy, more Sacrament, please."  Cute, cute, cute little man!!!