Christmas 2013
The
weather has officially changed here in Utah. That must mean Christmas is
nearing and I need to write something. I find myself at work often standing up
from my desk to stretch. I make my way over to the south facing windows to
catch a glimpse of the Sun low in the horizon and gaze out over the permafrost.
I imagine the look on my face probably approaches that of a pet-store animal
longing for liberty and the warmth of some other clime. It is often during
these moments of quiet introspection that I receive inspiration on a new hair
comb-over technique I should try.
Lenore's
time this year has mostly been consumed with being fabulous. She excels and
there's not much left after that. We have the whole Salt Lake Smith family
together weekly for dinner. Lenore cooks every other week and does a wonderful
job as hostess of these lovely get-togethers. She is still teaching and
cleaning and sometimes gets a paycheck.
As a
family we have enjoyed a couple of trips to Saint George (to visit grandma and
grandpa Lillywhite) and our annual vacation in San Clemente pretending that we
are still Californians. When we stop at the Agricultural Inspection checkpoint
in Yermo on our way into the Southland, the agents look over our papers with
the assiduity of a former Soviet era border guard and examine us and our
belongings thoroughly with a steely eye. It is getting increasingly harder to
prove we are cool enough to enter. Maybe if we ditch the 18-year old car for
something newer and make sure we top off our suntans before vacation.
Earlier
in the Spring Ailsa signed with a literary agent. And, once again we have high
hopes that she will soon be joining the published set. She is a prodigious
writer. So, whoever eventually gets her has a bunch of editing and marketing to
look forward to. She is applying to law school for next year. She already
thinks she is smarter than the rest of us. Maybe soon she will have proof.
Unfortunately she has fallen victim to the malaise of the “X” Generation.
Meaning eXcept for our lousy economy she could have a really good job by now.
She's working as a barista, and we like to tease her by ordering strange decaf
chai lattes and such from her drive-up window... then we don't leave a tip and
instead leave a note about how we are religious people and don't approve of her
lifestyle.
Jensen
is set to graduate from BYU right before Christmas with a major in Theater Arts
and a minor in Illustration (what was I saying earlier about a good job?) In
reality she has had some great experiences along the way. She has worked with a
BAFTA award winner and on a show that was EMMY nominated and also on an
animated short that won a student EMMY. We are planning on contacting the world
record folks because she will end up with 221 college credits, no kidding. She
could have a PhD with that much school attendance. Early in the
New Year she plans to begin her missionary service. We REALLY will miss having
her around. She comes home often from Provo and always brightens up the home
like a flood of sunshine. She belongs to Generation “Y”. “WHY are you still in
school?” But, we love having her around.
Laney
actually is smarter than the rest of us and would really like us all to just
accept that fact and submit humbly and peacefully to her rule. She completely
enjoyed daily surfing sessions on our vacation this year. She was quite game
even on the gloomy cold mornings. “Kiddo” is Generation Z, as in video game
Zombie. She is fully-plugged-in-tuned-out-victim-of-the-blue-pill matricized.
We could feel more justified in curbing these extracurricular activities if she
weren't otherwise such a good student.
As we
move each year through the tedious, the trivial, and the mundane we often find
real gems of love and beauty and aspect. They surround us always, although they
are usually met with our ignorance and inattention. We take this moment to step
back and recognize that we have seen breathtaking views of the heavens and the
wonder of the earth. We have been made to reflect on the greatness of those who
have lived among us and have slipped our grasp. We believe these experiences
are common to man. Thus, you have also seen that sunset during that same time
of evening and that same time of year. You have breathed the scent of salt
water in the air. You have felt the loss of people great and dear. You have
felt the blessing of being His children and heirs to His glory. We hope you
feel as abundantly blessed in these events as we do. We don't know what awaits
us from God. But, know it is even better than this.
“At the end of things, The Blessed will say, “We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven.” C.S. Lewis
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