Filled

Filled with Carols, both felt and sung
Filled with twinkling of the candles & stars
Filled with smells of spices and Warmth
Filled with feasts of Words and of bread
Filled with favorite stories of renewal and good will
Filled with the Joy of human's love
Filled with the Spirit so palpable, I cry

Filled with a heart swelling as great as this world
Filled with Love from the dear ones nearby
Filled with Thanks for comforts and rest
Filled with admiration for Joseph, now 206!
Filled with inspiration to do better and be more--
Filled with Song.  Hope, and Joy.
Filled with family's laughter and Trust
Filled with surprises & anticipation for what's next
Filled with memories to make any lifetime content
Filled with traditions, both old and the new
Filled with newness, lists and goals
Filled with empathy for those feeling remorse
Filled with courage to start again, persevere
Filled with Giving, sharing, partaking
Filled with a mind, open for increase
Filled with thoughts I could ponder for years
Filled with Charity. Serenity, Peace.
Filled with fresh Vision from the True guide
Filled with recognition of what's given and required
Filled with humility for particular gifts of Light
Filled with Faith and engendered confidence
Filled with Desires so deeply rooted in my core
Filled with Emotion, Christ-like and human
Filled with Wonder, awe and cheers
Filled with Gloria's, praising God above
Filled with Rejoicing for goodness imparted to me
Filled with astonishment at how far these feelings reach...

Memories and traditions from the past, Love and serenity in the moment, and awaiting the brightest future... This is how I feel today.

Merry,  Merry,   Merry Christmas.

meeting Kirk Richards

BYU's Museum of Art has always been one of my favorite places. To meditate, to enjoy great artists, to have stimulating conversations with tour guides, to sing, to play the piano, to eat...

The first exhibit that I attended repeatedly and even obsessively was entitled Beholding Salvation. The ten minute changing period between classes in the H-FAC would give me at least five minutes in the MOA. That is when I first encountered Kirk Richards. His painting Gethsemane captured and held my attention so much--perhaps that is why I had to return so often. But even upon returning, I'd spend a bulk of my time in front of that painting.

So many pictures of the atonement show Christ suffering at a tree, but rarely do I feel his pain and see the blood he shed. Layers of red, brown, gold, and sin slapped onto the canvas screamed of His emotion. His suffering. and the saving angel rising up in white sang of such comfort. The exhibit also carried his Baptism of Christ, another favorite of the exhibit.

Lisa, my good friend and tour guide had invited me to the opening gala and mentioned that Kirk Richards had been there, but alas, I had not had the good fortune of meeting him there.

well, several years later, he came back to BYU for campus education week. I of course bought an affordable (for a starving musician) little Gethsemane print (the texturing of the oil is of course lost, but it will always remind me of the original) as well as several postcards of his work, and shook his hand. What an honor! He took the time to to ask me about myself, my life and dreams and accepted my compliments congenially and graciously.

While looking at the few originals and prints in the Bookstore, an older woman started a conversation with me. She took such interest in my connections to BYU Singers, to music, to Palo Alto, to Wisconsin, to Paris, to redheads... and then asked, 'have you eaten yet?' well no... 'how about I treat you to dinner!' Of course she wouldn't accept a 'no' for a drink or fries but invited her husband and oldest son to come join us the the cougar eat and talk with me.

However unexpected the encounter was, and however moving the art was, my education week finished with me thinking how there are so many wonderful people in the world.

Stress Relievers I experienced this week

Viewing a play
Playing the violin

Momentary deafness while riding a bike
Momentary stillness in a campus crowd

A compliment, sincerely given
A text, interrupting a study

Song à haute voix in a house to myself
Song à haute voix in a room full of friends

Colorful fall leaves crunching under feet
Crimson wild flowers catching in my hand

Hearing trusted friends while in fervent prayer
Hearing a flawless, fearless performance

The south edge of campus, overlooking the lights
The south edge of mountains, stained pink at sunset

Creeping into bed while rain taps on the window
Cozing in a sweater with friends by the fire

Gospel Principles
Goals to be Better

apple magic

Two weeks ago, the power cord to my laptop stopped working (I only have 40 minutes of battery as it is).  I kept my computer shut for 2 days before I realized that I can't live without my 'Babs' PowerBook G4.

 

After researching prices online both used and new, I was talking to my father who decided to go to the apple store that moment (he may have know of the magic there).  Of course, there happens to be an apple store just down the road.  But it was 9:40 on a Saturday night!  Apple, of course, was open that night until 10.  

When I get downtown Palo Alto, there is a long line outside the Apple store... why? perhaps they wanted to take lessons & get the new iPhone.  I went to the front of the line and asked tentatively if I could come in? The store was closing in 10 minutes now, and I really needed to make my purchase.  I thought I'd look around and find a worker to direct me ... once through the doors though, I realized that every single person in the full room was wearing a bright blue apple shirt.  

I walked up to the worker closest and didn't get a chance to say 2 words when he left me- 'wait here.'   He came back a split second later (did he apparate??) with a new power adaptor box.  I tried to tell him then that mine was the older model--but he had already thought of that.  He said kindly, "Why don't I take care of you tonight." He took my old, dirty, dysfunctional adaptor and gave me a perfect new one.  easy. perfect. great!        free?!  

I stammered many thanks and left, laughing.

a good samaritan

I always pray when I start to drive.  anywhere.  you'd think that after 4 years, I'd be a little more confident.  I often pray when I ride my bike, but not always for safety.  Today, I was hit by a car while biking home through downtown Palo Alto.  Don't get worried, it was as minor as it could possibly be.  Shortly after I had turned down Ramona street, a mini-van came backing out of a driveway hidden by the parked cars right into me.  As soon as I saw it, I swerved hard, but still, my front wheel hit the car as she braked and I fell over.  My scream (an alarming sensation, I haven't screamed for 1.5 years) must have alerted the driver to stop because she couldn't have felt me hit her.  

I of course jumped up saying, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you backing up!'  The van lady kept saying,'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you! are you all right?' 'yes, I'm just fine, just fine...'  The lady crossing a nearby sidewalk had run over, also anxious about my well-being.  As she guided my to the sidewalk, I touched my face and realized that tears had spilled across my face just about as fast as my heart went from normal to frenzied heart rate.  I kept on apologizing and thanking them ('mam'--when did I start saying that?) insisting that I was all right.  Anxious lady from the crosswalk insisted that I rest a block away in her office while she could get me a drink and let me sit in the cool.  She let me stay as long as I'd like after I'd dabbed my bloody scrapes and had some water.  I did not realize how far I was from relaxing until I tried to relax.  but, after a few minutes,  my heart rate decreased and I could continue on my way home.  

People are so nice! Perhaps I should have higher expectations of 'people.'  It has been one of my favorite things to see people help each other out in moments of crisis.  or minor bike crashes.  I'm sure I would have been just fine if no one would have talked to me.  Their support, comfort and --love I guess, brought peace, comfort and safety to me.  

  The Lark in the Clear Air

Sweet thoughts are in my mind

And my soul soars enchanted 

When I hear the sweet lark sing

in the clear air of the day.

For a tender, loving smile

to my hope has been granted, 

and tomorrow she shall hear

all my fond heart would say.