Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Many years ago I had the opportunity and blessing to meet President David O. McKay in person.  I wish I could remember it more clearly.  The first time was with a Seminary class while I was in high school.  Growing up in St. George during that time, we didn't get to Salt Lake City often, and each spring the Seminary students took a trip up, and toured the Church Office building, and saw the Tabernacle, Salt Lake Temple, and other interesting places there.  The tall Church Office  building wasn't built for many years after.  I remember what a gracious and polite gentleman he was.  Around this same time, Wayne was on a mission in Sweden, and the highlight of his mission was having Pres. David O. McKay, and his wife Emma Ray Riggs McKay, when they were making a tour of missions in Europe.  Wayne took the photo below. A few years later, we were living in the Salt Lake Valley, and President McKay was returning from an airplane trip to Scotland,...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, ALL!  Wayne and I have had a tradition for many years on Valentine's Day, and on our Wedding Anniversary -- Wayne is so thoughtful and always gives me a gift that has a feminine flair!   The little tradition involves something Wayne found years ago, and between special days, it has a spot in our storage cabinet.  He gets up earlier than I do, and has it all set up and lighted!   A fun TRADITION ! !  Anita took pictures of it. We tried a black background, and a white one, so I'll put both on.  As you can see, it has a cord, and when plugged in, the roses have a light inside!  A simple thing, but it is a TRADITION! ! These photos below are not in any particular order!  Us, our parents, and the grandparents we have photos for, mostly wedding pictures.  We do have pictures of other ancestors, some of which are on the blog already.  but we will add them later, with their stories.  If you'd like to re...

This morning I again attended a Temple session, and took through the name of a woman born 400 years before me -- 1534!   I  was again was inspired by our first mother, Eve.   We know she went through heart wrenching experiences, and mourned over some of her children.  What mother has not had that experience?  I wonder if any of us realize how great of an impression our mothers have had on our lives and the way we live them?  As I was waiting for the session, I reviewed the scripture of the 2000 Helaman stripling  warriors: Alma 56: 47 and 48:  Yea, they had been taught by their mothers , that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.  And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. What a blessing to those young men!   Of course the fathers had a great influence also.  But this time I'm writing about mothers. I really appreciate several lovely comments I have receive...

My mother, Ruth Allen Miles, was a gifted soprano, teacher, mother, and also a poetess!  She wrote quite a few lovely poems, and I have a few of them.  I will include the poems I have in this blog.        While Ruth was teaching at Salt Lake City, the winter of 1945-1946, and going to the U. Of U. she was summoned to her sister Adelia’s back in the small town of Washington, near St. George.   Her mother, Levinah Emeline Wilson Allen had had a heart attack.  Ruth arrived there a few hours before she died.   This was taken of Levinah when she was about 20. In her history, Ruth wrote:  "She died as she had lived – Bravely, with no word of complaint.  Her last words were, “I’m glad to be here with my children.  Your voices are so quiet," and then, “It’s so peaceful here,” and with a smile she breathed her last.  God bless her memory.  How wonderful it will be to see her smile again."    (Pal)- ...