Christmas 2013

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

The Lillywhites