Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Dear friends, all over the world!  I have put a note now and then about the health problems my dear husband Wayne has had.  Tonight I'm putting on an e mail I sent to our family and friends, many of whom haven't been aware of some of our recent challenges.  He was 84 last September, and actually his health problems mostly started with his having pneumonia in September, and coming out of the hospital a day after he turned 84, on September 18, 2014.  This is the Wayne we have all known and loved.  This picture was taken in Menan, Idaho 3 or 4 years back on July 4th!  He has been the life of the party! This was taken last Sept. 20th, at my 80th birthday celebration, just after he came out of the hospital after having pneumonia, us with our daughter Tacy. This was taken the same day with our daughter Angela.  Wayne was quite well until Christmas week, when he spent 2 days before Christmas in the hospital, was home over Christmas, and ...

I found this lovely blog by Chelsea Dyreng on LDS Living, and thought my readers would like it.  Her blog is named "Vitamin C"  The Secret of Talking to a Child Who  Does Not Want to Talk to You Several years ago I was in a quaint, small-town bookstore. As I chatted with the sixties-something bookstore owner she noticed my three daughters. “Are those girls yours?” she asked. “Yes,” I said proudly. “Hmmm . . . ” she said, stroking her chin. “Come with me.” She beckoned me to an obscure corner of her store, and, glancing furtively at my girls, she leaned in close to my ear.  “Let me give you some advice,” she said in a low voice. “Someday, when your girls get older they will want nothing to do with you. They will not even want to  talk  to you.” “No,” I reassured her, “Not  my  gir–” “Listen closely,” she interrupted, “and I will tell you what to do when that happens.” Then she whispered to me he...

This is a very fascinating article about people who missed their voyage on the Titanic, and others who died.  I hope you enjoy reading it.  Tonight, my husband Wayne is out of the hospital, on kidney dialysis, and in a rehab, doing quite a bit better it seems. The Titanic: 6 Missionaries Who Missed Their Voyage + 5 More LDS Connections LDS LIVING STAFF -  In honor of the 103rd anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, here's a look at LDS connections to that fateful voyage, including six missionaries, a mother, and a defender of LDS rights. On the cold evening of April 14, 1912, the  Titanic , a brand-new ocean liner carrying 2,224 people, struck an iceberg, creating a large gash on the ship’s side. Hours later, at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, the massive ship sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Millions around the world mourned the loss of more than 1,500 people when the “near unsinkable”  Titanic  sank on its maiden voyage from England t...

Dear Friends, this is such a lovely and faith-promoting blog from Kayla Lemmon, and I'd like to repost it for you.  Tonight my husband is still in the hospital, and has a very sore arm where they put in a permanent port for kidney dialysis.  If you read this, please include Wayne D Eckman in your prayers.  Thanks so much! New post on  all our lemmony things Why I want you to stay: A letter from a Mormon by  Kayla Lemmon I think the hardest business in the world is that of loving someone. But it's inevitable. From the moment we're born we attach to someone like a plant's roots wander for water, wrapping ourselves around laughter and friendship and similarities and bonds. People are everything to us. And how ironic that because of that we experience the greatest joys--and the greatest pain. During the time that I've kept this blog I've seen stories that have changed me and I've made friends from worlds away who have uplifte...

From LDS Living comes the link to this Classic Seminary Videos below.  Follow this link, and you will come to the article that you can click on, and watch the video!  You will have to copy and paste it in the address bar. ldsliving.com/story/78514-7-classic-seminary-videos-thatll-never-get-old?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email 7 Classic Seminary Videos That'll Never Get Old JANNALEE ROSNER -  Media is a powerful teaching tool. And these seven short, powerful classic seminary films are no exception. Though these videos are not new, the messages in these classic seminary shorts are just as powerful as when they were first released. Relive your seminary days or share you favorites with your kids, and let us know which one was your favorite in the comments below! 1. Choices: My Body is a Temple Find out what happens when you let unclean things into your life in this visual analogy.  2. Spiritual Crocodiles by Elder Boyd K. Packer A powe...

    If you're like I was when I had many children at home, and involved in many activities outside the home, you probably have read many articles about organizing and getting things done.  One more may help!  This is from Segullah.org, which is a great blog!  Today my husband Wayne had his first kidney dialysis, and things are going okay! How to: Get stuff done! April 8, 2015 Daily Special Shelah My son’s birthday cake, made by my mom When I was a girl, long before the advent of Mommy blogs and Pinterest, my mom knew a thing or two about awesome birthday parties. One year I had a cake decorating party where she made all of the girls their own individual cakes, and then she sewed aprons and chef’s hats for all of us to wear while decorating the cakes. Another year, she created a replica of the Millennium Falcon out of cake, frosting, ice cream cones and candy for my brother’s birthday, which was served to a group of totally unapprecia...

I haven't written for a few days, mostly concerned for my husband, and helping him with some health problems he has had.  This was in Meridian Magazine on Feb. 17, 2015.  I kept it, and it is good to put here today.  Just 2 days earlier, Feb. 15th, my husband had gone to the hospital in an ambulance at 2:30 a.m.  Since then he has been in the hospital 3 times for 4 days each, two of which times he was in intensive care a day or two, once with a breathing tube down his throat, just to keep him breathing!  He has been in a local rehabilitation place for 16 days after one hospital stay, 2 days another time, 7 days another time, and now is back in the hospital the 4th time since Feb. 15th -- this time sent there by our kidney doctor -- the best in this area.  He had surgery this afternoon to have a pic line put in, and tomorrow he will start kidney dialysis.        Yes, it has been quite a ride, with several Priesthood blessings, and my...