Nine-Eleven Plus Twentty...

 

Oh, my...I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that it has been 20 years since that dreadful day in history that brought America and her citizens to their knees!  Twenty years and I can remember that day as if it were just yesterday!  The images still float around in my brain can still bring back the same emotions that I felt on that day and for weeks afterward.

America cried.  Men and women cried.  Fathers and mothers cried.  Children cried.  And many around the world cried with us.

Today, some of those older men and women are no longer with us.  Some of our young men and women who volunteered to go fight a mindless enemy are no longer with us.  The children are grown up and some living today weren't even born yet.  We went to war...the longest conflict in the history of this country...and many more lost their lives.  We conquered the enemy...or did we?

Evil visited our shores on that infamous day and its influence here and around the world has spread like the virus that has beset us over the past year and a half.  The evil one has gained a stronghold on our country and the hearts of men and women in leadership positions.  Power hungry politicians lead our once great Republic!Our children have grown up with ideas of wanting to live in some fantasy land of Utopia...they are not taught to love this great land as I was taught.  I fear the injuries inflicted upon Lady Liberty twenty years ago are far deeper than the scars of the footprint left by two burning towers in a once great city...New York City.

If I could leave any comforting words to my children and grandchildren...even my great-grandchildren, they would be these.  America was more that a dream shared by a handful of men in 1776.  This land has always been "a land of promise," blessed by the hand of God and destined to become a great beacon of liberty to be seen from far and wide and respected.  That great God of this land put into the hearts of men to form a great nation...a beacon of liberty.  She was destined to become that "shining  city on a hill," spoken by one of her greatest Presidents, President Ronald Reagan.

In my eight decades upon this earth, I have seen America rise and fall through a World War (II), the Korean War, The Viet Nam conflict, and many other conflicts around the world pitting good against evil.  And though we always felt that good was winning, evil has slowly enveloped the hearts of men and we didn't even notice.  Each new generation has been spoon-fed on propaganda, first in our Universities and today, in our Public Schools.  Children as young as 5 or 6 are being taught that this is not a great country..."your parents are wrong!"

It took a pandemic...a world-wide virus...to open our eyes!  At least most of us who have been around for nearly 100 years!  Is it too late to turn things around?  Our president "The King Who Has No Clothes,"  has abandoned Americans and allies in Afghanistan, he has abandoned Americans at home, and we at home fear that evil will visit our shores once again.

The only thing we have to hold on to is our faith in God.  "If He brought us to it, He will bring us through it."  I believe, dear children, that God hears and will answer our prayers.  His plan for this great land is not finished.  Good will prevail over evil.  And we will be a beautiful America again.  Once again, we can lift our voices up toward Heaven and sing the strains of "America, The Beautiful!"  "Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.  For purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plain.  America, America, God shed his Grace on thee.  And crown thy good with brotherhood...from sea to shining sea."

As we remember that awful day of 9/11, 2001, may we also remember the day after that brought a nation together in brotherhood.  We were all one on that day...let's bring it back again!

Perhaps Near the End of My Journey...

I usually sit down and write with pen in hand and a clean sheet of paper in front of me, but my eyesight is failing  and when I write my thoughts with a pen and paper, I come back later and cannot read them!  It's a real bummer and it is a dilemma I had hoped I would never face.  

My father had Glaucoma and in the later years of his life, his eyesight was so bad that he shouldn't drive.  In fact, driving was the last thing he did before he died!  He was killed when his Bronco slammed into the back of a city truck on St. George Blvd. in St. George Utah on his way to work.  He was 74 years old.

My mother had Macular Degeneration, the same ailment I am dealing with.  We took her car keys away from her when it became obvious that she was a danger behind the wheel of a car.  She was the same age as me, which was 82 or 83!  I stopped driving about 2 years ago, and I refuse to get behind the wheel to drive.  I'm safer walking!

Sorry for the side-note!  To continue...I write now on the keyboard of my computer.  Thank God that I still have the mental capacity to remember where the keystrokes are.  It was a skill that I learned in High School and has served me well for decades.  So, here I am staring at the computer screen, and I must gather my thoughts and figure out what to write.  It has been a good while since I have even tried.

Covid 19 hit the country last year and slowed everything down...not only for me and my family, but for the whole world, as well,  My youngest daughter and her family got it, suffered its ill effects and recovered.  They were the only ones in my family who came down with the dreaded virus.  My husband and I dodged it at every turn.  We sequestered ourselves in our home for the most part, wore those stupid (needless) masks when required, and ate healthy, took our Vitamin D3, C, Zinc and whatever else we were of a desire to do.

The "pandemic" is pretty much over after a year and a half, except for the attempts by "higher-ups" who call themselves "Scientists" who scare us to believing otherwise.  I never did fear the virus and I never will.  I (and my family) use common sense and treated it just like we treat any other disease that is going around.  Panic and fear are not things I subscribe to.

So, with the world and the country trying to resume some semblance of normalcy, I think I have a jump start on all of them.  I go outside and work in my garden; I walk sometimes with my husband; we go out to eat; we go to Church and the Movies and Concerts.  And we do not wear masks in any of those events.  Here's how I look at it...if I get sick, so be it.  I know what to do to take care of myself.  If I get really sick and I should die as a result, again, so be it!  I'm not afraid of death!  I've lived nearly 82 years on this planet and it has been an exceptionally good, fulfilled, happy life.  And the way the world is going right now, honestly, I would welcome that Heavenly change!

So, my dear friends, that brings you up to speed with the life and journey of Florene (Lori) Davenport-Henderson-Mickelson,  and God willing, I will be back, hopefully sooner than later.  Until then, I bid you all farewell and God Speed!

                                                   

What is Truth?

 I have been contemplating many things lately.  One of them, which keeps popping into my head is the dilemma we are dealing with in our country...in fact in all of the world... right now, on the subject of TRUTH.  There are so many voices out there.  Some of them shouting!  Some of them very calmly proclaiming their own version of their own truth.  Some of them preaching truth.  Some of them sneering that their version on truth is the ONLY TRUTH.  What is one to do?

With all of this noise and confusion all around me, I am reminded of a story that has been told in my Church, TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of a young boy who heard confusing voices all around him in the year of 1820.  They were attempting to sway people to join the various churches looking for members.  He was a boy who had been taught by his parents to search the Scriptures.  One day, as he was reading in the Gospel of John, he came across a verse that read, "...if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not."

The boy pondered these words and decided to put then to the test.  He walked into a wooded area near his home in Palmytra, New York, found a quiet, secluded spot and knelt down to pray.  He didn't expect what happened next and he was really surprised to find himself surrounded with light and directly in front of him, it was brightest of all...and there, in a pillar of light stood two personages.  And they spoke to him!  One introduced the other as His beloved son and said, "Hear Him!"

The boy's name was Joseph Smith and he had just seen a vision of the Father, who pointed to the other and called Him His beloved Son! This is a truth that I. know, because the Holy Ghost has testified the truthfulness of it to me many times.  And I cannot deny that Spirit.  Nor can I deny the burning within me that testifies truth.  This is a gift that has been given to me!  This is a gift I treasure.

There is a Hymn in our Hymn Book that asks, what is Truth?  The title of this Hymn is "Oh Say, What is Truth?"  From this hymn, I learn a great deal and it helps me find the answers to many of my questions.    It describes Truth as "the fairest gem"that the richest of worlds cannot produce.  Think about that for a moment.   Think about all of the principalities of the world and what they tell you that they say is their truth.  Is it?  Is it the fairest of gems?    Test it!  Next to truth, all of a "Monarch's diadem is counted as dross and refuse."  Truth is certainly a rare gem!

The second verse calls truth the "brightest prize."  When you find it, hold on to it, because you have certainly found a prize!  Mortals and Gods aspire to possess this truth...this rich prize.  To possess it is "an "aim for the noblest desire."

Truth overcomes evil.  I include the entire third verse here.  "The septre may fall from the despot's grip.  When with winds of stern justice he copes.  But the pillar of truth will endure to the end, and its firm rooted bulworks outstand the rude blast and the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes."  

This verse pretty much tells it all, if you follow a court case (as we have witnessed recently in the impeachment trial of our past President, Donald J. Trump!)  Truth wins in the end!  There were so many conflicting voices and the lies were brought to the forefront.  But still, those who lied believed their lies so profoundly, they were turned into tyrants!

On to the last verse...truth 'tis the "last and fir first."  "Tho the heavens depart and the earth's fountains burst, TRUTH , the sum of existence, will weather the worst, ETERNAL, unchanged, evermore."

So, when you are confronted with confusing voices, put their words to the test..do what Joseph Smith did....Pray, and measure those confusing voices against their value and endurance.  Are they eternal?  Good words, these!  Put them to the test.

For me, the test is eternal.  I measure good against evil and "GOOD" comes out on top every time.  I also have the gift of discernment, a gift I earned after many trials of choosing between good and evil in my life.  The Lord knew I had to earn it and I am so grateful He stuck with me as I traveled that difficult road.  It is a precious gift and I don't ever want to lose it.  

My Savior.  He IS "The Last and the First," The Alpha and Omega!

He is my True North.

He is the compass by which I navigate my life.

Without Him, I could not discern what is TRUTH!

Getting along and Getting by...

 As I journey forward into this new year, the year of our Lord, 2021, I am finding myself in awe at all that I have experienced in my lifetime!  The progress (and sometimes regress) of mankind has been astounding!  And still, mankind is struggling with this phenomenon of getting along and learning to love one another.  Control and greed seem to creep into every aspect of our lives.

Though I have been oblivious for the better part of my life, of how government has crept into the simplest acts of controlling everything, to dedicating their missions to make sure we are constantly under their thumb.  It has been a slow process, so most of us haven't even noticed it.  For the most part, my life has been full of happiness and peace, but last year was a nightmare and this year is looking to be more of the same, if not worse.

Now, while all of this has been going on, I have also noticed another phenomenon taking shape.  More and more of my friends, myself included, have been turning their attention to a higher power.  We are turning to prayer and the scriptures and developing a stronger relationship with our God, the Creator of the Universe and all that in it lies.  He is ultimately in charge-- and this thought gives rise to peace in the soul.

The month of January is closing and February will soon be upon us.  As I look toward the rest of this year, I pray that hearts will come closer and be more in tune with the spirit of love--brotherly love--and turn away wrath.  May we be more understanding of the needs of others; more compassionate towards those who are finding their livelihoods disappearing; more helpful to those who need a helping hand; and more ready to pray with a brother or sister who is suffering through loss.

I pray that the Virus that has plagued this land for a year will burn out its engines and move out of the atmosphere.  And I pray that we will be more ready for the next epidemic to come our way.  We have the science to understand these things and I pray that the good minds will work diligently to find cures and vaccines and may government step out of their way so they can do their work.

Ah!  So many problems and so many loving people working on solutions...if only government would allow them to work!  People are out of work because of government!  People are suffering because of government.  But good e\people are waking up and beginning to speak up and fight against the corruption and control that we find ourselves in.  If we let God help us and not become angry mobs, we will be able to accomplish great things.

I love my life!  I love my Country!  I love my family!  I love my God!  I pray every man, woman and child in this land of ours will be protected throughout these coming months and this coming year.  Be not discouraged!  Be not dismayed!  Cultivate Faith and Hope and most of all Charity!

GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

View The World Through Someone Else's Lense..A Short Story...

Several years ago, I received my first Cornea Transplant.  I never troubled myself with whether or not the surgery would be successful (although looking back, perhaps I should have!), but rather what would it be like to view my world through someone else's cornea?  I conjured up any number of imaginary scenarios such as being able to see my world exactly as the former owner of my cornea would have seen it.  Would I be color blind?  Unlikely, because the corneas don't control the ability to discern colors.  More likely, would be an enormous amount of astigmatism!  Yikes!  I already had enough of that.

But, that was another story for another day and I have already told it adnauseum!  No, my focus for this piece is finding the ability to see and understand another's world as they see, live and understand it.  A challenging task, at best, and daunting, at worst.

I have recently been sharing an experience with a long-time, very dear friend of mine who has fallen into a trap of being taken in by a much younger man.  I shall call her, Julie, to protect her and any and all friends involved.  Julie and I grew up together.  We attended the same Church.  We went to the same School.  We sometimes liked the same boys!  We hung out in each other's houses and got to know each other's families very well.

After High School, we just sort of drifted apart.  I went off to College and she went through a couple of marriages.  I reconnected with Julie when she moved to a nearby town and we ran into each other quite by accident.   Over the next several years we shared each other's stories and picked up our long-lost friendship again.

Once again, however, I moved away and we only occasionally kept in touch.  Until one day about 5 months ago when she called me and her voice had an almost giddy quality about it.  She said, "You will never guess where I am."  Of course, I couldn't.  The last I knew, she was still in that little Podunk town where I left her when I moved.

"I am in Texas!"  I said, "What on earth are you doing in Texas?"  "Oh," she said, "I have so much to tell you!  After Jack died, I was so lonely, and I met the most amazingly beautiful younger man!"  Well, that piqued my interest.  "And I thought because of all of your experience with your current husband, who is also younger than you, I thought you might be able to give me some advice."

It was true.  After my husband died, I had married a younger man and over the years we don't even notice the difference any more.  Julie certainly sounded happy, so what did it matter?  And so, we left that first conversation at that.  I told her, "Good luck with that!"  And we didn't speak for another week or so.

The next time Julie called, she didn't sound as happy as that last phone call.  In fact, she was crying.  This "gentleman" friend (and I use the term loosely) just dumped her in a run-down rental (after she paid the rent) and took off  in her car to find a job and the communication scanty  She was alone in a place where she knew no one, without a car, and very little food or furniture.  I tried to console her the best that I could, but just about every other word or sentence out of her mouth was to his defense.  In my mind and heart, my concern was for her safety...and a feeble attempt to bring her back to reality.

We talked for probably an hour, and then I told her she needed to rest and try to get some sleep.  Things might look better in the morning.  I said a prayer for her.  I guess I watch too much TV and have heard about all of these horror stories about younger men preying on older women, taking whatever money they had and then moving on to their next victim.  I prayed Julie wasn't another one of these statistics.

I didn't hear from Julie for months after that, although I did worry about her.  All attempts to call her had failed.  I learned later that she couldn't pay for her phone bills, so she tuned it off.  She had found some help from a local church which managed to get her a bus ticket home.  When she called me, she seemed more like her old self.  She had left the promise of a better future behind her and she had moved on.  It was a hard lesson, and she thanked me for helping her to see through my eyes what she had been unable to see with her own.  I love my friend dearly, and pray for her daily that she will one day find peace and tranquility in her life.

 GOOD-BYE 2020,

HELLO 2021!

I HONESTLY CANNOT SAY THAT I WILL MISS THE YEAR 2020!  IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF UPS AND DOWNS, HILLS AND VALLEYS DARKNESS AND LIGHT! BUT, I CAN SAY THAT WE ALL WEATHERED THE STORMS AND CAME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER AND BRAVER AND BETTER FOR THE EXPERIENCES.

WE TRAMPLED THROUGH THE TROUBLED FIELDS OF A DEVASTATING VIRUS THAT TOOK HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIV4ES AND LEFT MILLIONS WITHOUT THEIR BUSINESSES OR JOBS.  ONE TRIP TO THE MARKET GIVES ONE THE VISION OF HUNDREDS OF MASKS THAT REALLY DON'T BELONG THERE AND FRIGHTENED FACES UNDERNEATH AMOST OF THEM.  FROM JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER, WE HAVE LIVED IN FEAR OF AN UNSEEN ENEMY AND STILL HAVE NO REAL ANSWERS.  WILL IT EVER GO AWAY?  I CAN ONLY VENTURE A GUESS!  SOME OF US HAVE LOST LOVED ONES AND WILL FACE A NEW YEAR WITHOUT THEM.  BUT, THE LIFE CYCLE GOES ON AND NO ONE CAN EVER CHANGE THAT.

ON THE UP SIDE OF IT ALL, I HAVE WELCOMED INTO MY FAMILY THREE BRAND NEW GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTERS.  THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND A WELCOME SIGHT FOR THESE AGING EYES.  CONGRATULATIONS TO ELISSA, KELLIE AND MCKENZIE!  LIFE IS GOOD!

DEAN'S FATHER'S HEALTH IS DECLINING, BUT HE HAS LIVED A VERY LONG, GOOD 93 YEARS.  DEAN GOT TO FLY TO SEATTLE AND THEN TAKE A BUS TO TACOMA AND SPEND 3 WEEKS WITH HIS DAD DOING ALL OF THE HARD CHORES IN THE YARD.  IT WAS A WELCOME TRIP FOR BOTH OF THEM.  I GOT TO TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS FOR A BABY SHOWER FOR ELISSA AND LATER TO ST. GEORGE FOR A FUNERAL OF A COUSIN AND A WELL-EARNED VISIT WITH MY SISTER, CHRISIE.  SHE RETURNED A TRIP TO PRESCOTT VALLEY FOR CHRISTMAS!  FAMILY IS THE BEST MEDICINE FOR AILING HEARTS!

THE POLITICAL SCENE IN OUR COUNTRY HAS TURNED A SOUR FACE TOWARD THE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THERE IS UNREST BREWIING IN THE WINGS.  WE CAN ONLY GUESS WHAT THE NEW YEAR IS GOING TO BRING...AND PRAY FERVENTLY FOR HEALING FOR OUR COUNTRY.

I WISH I COULD REPORT MORE OF THE UPS, BUT RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY THREAD THAT IS HOLDING US TOGETHER IS FAMILY.  I HAVE BEGUN TO REALIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT FAMILY IS AND I HOLD TIGHT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF MINE.

AS I WRITE THIS, MY SON-IN-LAW, KENNY'S DAD IS VERY CLOSE TO DEATH, ALONE IN A HOSPITAL IN CALIFORNIA.  TOMORROW THE FAMILY WILL MAKE THE HARD DECISION ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT AND HE MAY NOT BE WITH US THROUGH THE WEEKEND.  MAY GOD BLESS THE ENTIRE MESSICK FAMILY.  IT WILL BE A TIME TO GRIEVE.

AND A THOUSAND MILES TO THE NORTH, DEAN'S DAD HAS JUST BEEN SENT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL ON PALLIATIVE CARE.  WE ARE HOPING FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS WITH HIM AS THE HEAD OF THE MICKELSON FAMILY.  

THESE ARE HARD TIMES...BUT WITH THE HARD, THERE IS ALSO THE GOOD AND MAY WE ALL BE CONSOLED BY THE GOODNESS IN THE WORLD.  MAY WE SEE THE RAINBOW AT THE END OF THE RAINY DAY; THE SILVER LINING IN EVERY RAIN CLOUD; THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IN THE EARLY MORNING SUNRISE; AND THE LIGHTHOUSE GUIDING THE WAY ON A STORMY, ROCKY SHORE.  IT IS MY PRAYER THAT WE WILL SEE MORE GOODNESS THAN DARKNESS ON THE HORIZON FOR THE NEW YEAR, WHICH IS 2021.  GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE WHO VENTURES TO READ THIS BLOG.  I COUNT YOU AS MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY AND GREAT CONTRIBUTORS TO THE RICH HAPPINESS THAT HAS FILLED MY LIFE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ 2021

GIFTS...

 I have had such a full life abundantly overflowing with a plethora of amazing gifts.  My heart is filled with gratitude.

My father was the best gift-giver.  His first gift to me was my mother.  He was a young man of 19 when hemet my mother.  He swept her off her feet on a dance floor when she was barely 17.  They were married on her 18th birthday and 5 years later, together, they gave me the gift of life.

As I grew, he discovered one of my favorite gifts was anything sweet.  He gave me the gift of a piano, followed by 9 years of piano lessons.  He gave me the gift of dance lessons--also for 9 years.  He gave me the gift of his wisdom.  

    --Correcting me when I made mistakes.

--Praising me when I made good choices.

He gave me the gift of patience.  Waiting for me to fund the rught way, and nudging me along the path.

He gave me the gift of  unconditional love.  I never understood that, until I had children of my own!  I knew he loved me when, one day, I asked him, "Daddy, you have given me so much all my life==what can I give you in return?"  I can see him still, dressed in his white shirt, white pants, a white apron tied around his waist, stained with the juices of meat and food preparation, and a white envelope hat on his head decorated with the little "pickle" pin which was the symbol of his restaurant.  

He was sitting on one of the 4-legged stools at one of the long tables at the restaurant.  His simple, yet profound answer to my question was this, "The only thing I ask of you in return is that you will always remain as good as you are right now."

That simple response brought tears to my eyes.  I leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek and one of my tears rolled out of my eye and down his cheek.

I loved my dad dearly.  I can't say that I was always good--or that I always made good choices--but my dad's gift of forgiveness was always a given.

Writing about my earthly father gets me thinking about my Heavenly Father--the Father of my Spirit.  He has been the best bestower of the greatest gifts--and the list is long!    The first gift He gave me, like my dad, was the gift of my life.  And with that gift  came the gift of my parents.  I shall forever be grateful for them both.

My Father in Heaven gave me one brother and two sisters.  They have blessed my life in countless ways.  He also sent Angels to me, called "friends"--each in their own season--some still grace my life.

He gave me many talents--some I have already discovered, some I am still discovering, and  some I am yet to discover.

He gave me the gift(s) of my own family(s).  First He sent me Gerry Henderson, a Graduate Student at BYU, who swept this little Freshman of barely 18 off of my feet, just as my dad had done with my mom all those years ago.  We were married the following June.  Then came five beautiful children, each one a treasured gift.  Growing old together was not in the cards for us.  Gerry went to live with Heavenly Father  much too soon!  

Six months after Gerry's death, I met Dean Mickelson.  He was charming, a great talker.  We met on "The Love Boat!"  It was crazy--and this young man truly was an answer to a lonely widow's prayers. He truly was a gift from God.

My next gift was our son, Billy.  He, too was an answer to many prayers.

Heavenly Father gave to me the gift of music. He gave me fingers to play the piano and ears to hear the music, and a heart to feel it in my soul.  He gave me feet to dance to the music.  I heard the rhythm to keep the beat and a body to move with it.  I feel the music throughout my whole being.  He gave me a voice to sing through both my heart and soul.

These gifts  were only for a season.  I can no longer play the piano because my eyes are growing dim;  I can no longer dance because my body no longer moves the way it used to; my voice is no longer sweet and pure.  But I am grateful for the years I could do all these things.  Now, I have ears  to hear the music and I can close my eyes and visualize the past.

So many gifts --too numerous to list----my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me!  So much to be grateful for.  These are certainly note-worthy  gifts in my life--but the greatest gift of all is the gift of a tiny baby, born in a stable long, long ago in the town of Bethlehem.  The Father gave us the gift of His Son.  And His name was called, Jesus Christ.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16)

The Father gifted The Son--The Son gifted to us Eternal Life.

So many gifts!  So much LOVE!

                                                Keep on Giving!

                                                Merry Christmas!