Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This is my traditional Valentine's Day post! Happy Valentine's Day!  I first posted this in 2014.  Since then, we have had various other family members become married!  So I'm adding pictures to the post I sent in 2014! To begin, this little Valentine flower light pictured below  --  is at this time sitting on the top of a cabinet in my room here in West Bountiful, February 14, 2022, where I live today.  I have several grandchildren and two of my children, who also have married since I write this article in 2014.   Last February 14th both my son Wayne and I had Covid, and I almost died, I am told!  I had a right hip replacement on February 8th, and then 2 days later, by accident was exposed to Covid! My husband Wayne passed away on February 21, 2016, a week after Valentine's Day that year, almost 6 years ago. Written in 2014:   The little tradition involves something Wayne found years ago, and between special days, it has a spot in our s...

I was born and raised in St. George, Utah, with original pioneer ancestors!  I also was baptized, endowed, and married in this beautiful Temple.  My grandfather and great-grandfather helped build it, and were strong in the community! It is my home, even though I now live in northern Utah with my oldest son and his wife.  I will be buried there next to my eternal companion, Wayne D Eckman -- 1930-2016.   The St. George Utah Temple renovation: A look at what has happened during the first year by Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  | Nov. 05, 2020 From the Church Editor's note:  Newsroom  released the following update on the St. George Temple renovation in recognition of one year of progress. Read a summary and watch the video below, or find more pictures on  Newsroom . Sounds of machinery and construction crews plying their trade echo across the property of a beloved landmark. Its familiar white walls that glisten in the aut...

This was posted on Tuesday, on aggielandmormons.com, but I just read it.  It is good!   Perhaps that is why Thanksgiving is the favorite holiday of a lot of people!  (I added our photos instead of the ones in the article!) Tuesday, November 25, 2014 A precious photo taken at our Golden Wedding.  From left to right, Angela, and Tacy, our daughters, Brittani, grand daughter, Julie, daughter-in-law, and front row, Delsy, our daughter holding her grand daughter Aiyona, and Tacy's daughter, Calli. 3 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude and a Recipe for Accessing them Year-Round There is something remarkable about this time of year. Beyond the food, football, or even time with family, as we gather together and vocally express thanks for the blessings in our lives, it seems to bring a great sense of happiness, peace, and contentment. As I sat down to write this post and figure out what makes being grateful…well, so great…I was pleased (and even a little surprised)...

We finally got our phone and internet on -- after 4 long days.  That may not seem long, but it happened the day after Wayne got out of the hospital, and the next day was our family reunion with all of our 9 children coming to celebrate my 80th birthday, which will be on October 6th.  So our cell phone got a lot of use!  Wayne was weak and dizzy, and we took him to the hospital on Sunday, Sept. 14th, and he was there 5 days, with pneumonia and renal failure.  He came home on his 84th birthday, and is doing a bit better each day.  Also, in keeping with the post by Brian Mickelson below, I can't use my right arm, it's in a sling from a rotator cuff operation on Aug. 25th, and I probably will have to wear the sling for 2 to 4 more weeks.  Before Wayne went in the hospital, he was helping me!  I have to try and do everything with my left hand, and I am right-handed! This is our entire family who were together last Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2014.  Fr...

These are fun photos to see --  Apostles at Their Weddings: Photo Gallery COMPILED BY KELSEY BERTEAUX & CARLY SPRINGER - JUNE 17, 2014 Summertime is wedding season, but even if you're not a "June Bride," you'll love these vintage pictures of the general authorities at their weddings. Summer is a popular time to tie the knot--even among the apostles! June, July, and August are the months with the most apostle marriages, each with three anniversaries apiece.  Celebrate the wedding "season" with this gallery of fun photos!  Not pictured: Elder Holland, Elder Scott, Elder Bednar, and Elder Cook Thomas S. Monson Married Frances Beverly Johnson on October 7, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple.  Photo found in  To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson Henry B. Eyring Married Kathleen Johnson in July 1962.  Photo found in  I Will Lead You Along: The Life of Henry B. Eyring See also,  "7 Marriage Les...