Simple Times, Wondrous Times

For the past few months, probable since Harry was born, I have been thinking a lot about when times were simpler.  I'm sure it has something to do with having a child.  I think about the pioneers a lot-how did they do it with babies and children in tow?  It must have been a huge sacrifice.  Yet, they were so humble and came across the plains to the place we now call Salt Lake City.  Their commitment to church and their beliefs is amazing.  In the February Ensign, there is an article about Joseph and Emma's family.  Four of their children died the day they were born, and two of their children died when they were not olden than 2 years old (one of those was adopted at birth).  How grateful I am for advancements in medicine, healthy living conditions, and especially our wonderful, healthy and strong Harry!  Joseph and Emma had 4 children that lived to be older (that includes the other adopted child). 

For many of our ancestors, even parents, times were "simpler."  In a way I long for those times when life didn't fly by-when TV, Internet, cars...etc, didn't exist.  What was family life like?  On the other hand- I'm SOOOO grateful for modern technology.  For example, the way cities are set up, cars are pretty much a necessity.  I like to think about what pioneers would have done in the evenings when just the family was together, full bellies, candles lit.  I'm glad that I'm a member of the true church that believes in traditional family.  Our dear President Hinckley said while he was on Larry King Live, ""Put father at the head of the house again," he said. "A good father, who loves his wife and whose wife loves him, and whose children love him ... and let them grow together as good citizens of the land." (CNN.com Jan. 28th 2008)  That is the nice thing to know that our families may have very much in common with our ancestors.  We know that time spent together in love and righteousness is precious time. 

Our family                                                             President Spencer W. Kimball family 1897

I loved this snippet from my "Gooseberry Patch Holidays at Home" book: 

"When I was about four years old, I remember at Christmas time my parents ordered a crate of oranges from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, and they came in on the train that passed through our small town of Hillview.  That was in 1946 and people in our community were not affluent.  They best memory I have of those days is the smell of the oranges, the wooden crate with the wire hooks, and they beautiful green tissue paper that each orange was wrapped in.  To this day, I still eat and love oranges and my favorite color has always been green.  We weren't rich, but our family and friends have memories that money can't buy." -Sandra Pinkerton, White Hall, IL

                                                        

 

The world moves so fast.  Sometimes I wish everything would just slow down....and yet there are such wonderful things going on in the world.  Amazing discoveries, cures, humanitarian aid, etc etc.  TV and the Internet allow us to learn about things we'd never ever in our wildest dreams be able to see/learn in person (like the show Planet Earth.)  It's great to be talking about something around the dinner table, wonder and ask questions, and actually be able to find the answers-almost instantly-on the Internet after dinner.  Like, how does Okra grow?  We sure found that out the other night!

  June 23, 1910-January 27, 2008

So, I guess that my thought is I wish that we could bring all the best from the past-the simple joys, the uncrowded and uncluttered mind, home and family- and enjoy all the wonderful things about this fast-paced world.  With the passing of President Hinckley, it has caused me to think about his full and marvelous life.  He saw so much change, yet his values never changed.  This is as we all should be; this is what the Savior taught.  Harry has allowed me many special hours to think about what life really means-where we came from and where we're going.  These are my thoughts.  I hope that it can inspire others to think about the past and make goals for the future.