There are many emotional experiences that I have had that I have not yet put to pen, but it is time for this one. Our Stake President's talk in Ward Conference brought back these memories.
My third city on my mission was the French Mediterranean port city of Toulon. This area had four elders and two sister missionaries. My companion was Elder Larry Wride, and he had only been there a couple of weeks.
Two weeks before my arrival, Elder Wride and his companion had met a young lady named Antoinette Palmièri. Antoinette was a nurse working a night shift that gave her a lot of spare time. In that time she had completely read the Book of Mormon.
We quickly settled into a comfortable routine with her. One afternoon a week we would go over to her house, she would serve us cold limonade and we would talk.
Prior to finding the missionaries, Antoinette had been studying with the Témoins de Jéhovah (Jehovah's Witnesses). At some point they had pushed to meet her parents, and that turned into an awkward, embarrassing situation. That was why we met with her when we did, because we wouldn't run into her parents.
District Conference came and President Nelson told us "Brethren and Sisters, we don't have time to spend with investigators who are not ready to accept the Gospel. When you go back to your area, challenge any who are not progressing and drop the ones who will not take the challenge."
It was with much fear that I approached our next visit. We were comfortable and I didn't want to upset our relationship.
I asked her "Do you believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God?"
"Yes"
"Do you believe that Joseph Smith was was a prophet?"
"Yes"
"Then what do you have to do?"
"I guess I have to be baptized"
She talked to her parents, and they not only said "Heck No", they said "You join and you leave".
So she left home and joined the church.
A year or so later she had reconciled with her parents and the family had relocated from Toulon to Grenoble. One Friday evening she had her bags packed and said goodbye to her family, explaining that she was going to spend the weekend with a friend.
She got on a train to Geneva where President Nelson set her apart as a full-time missionary, serving in the Franco-Belgian Mission. A year a a half after my return I was fortunate to go back to Europe and spend some time with her and her companion.
After her mission came a temple marriage and five children (very rare in France). Life hasn't been perfect for her, but it may have gone down a whole different path if Elder Wride and I had not done as we were asked.
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
We Got Lost
When my father got promoted to major in 1955 we couldn't live at Fort Meyer any more. We moved to a house on North 3rd Street in Arlington, Virginia. The area was called Arlington Forest and it was right on Highway 50.
Around the corner and down the hill was a forest. One day my sister Karen and I decided to go exploring. We started at the end of the forest by our house, and just walked and walked.
Eventually we figured out that we were lost. I remember that I was part scared that we were lost, and part scared that we would be in trouble.
Eventually we ran into a woman who knew us. She took us home.
Around the corner and down the hill was a forest. One day my sister Karen and I decided to go exploring. We started at the end of the forest by our house, and just walked and walked.
Eventually we figured out that we were lost. I remember that I was part scared that we were lost, and part scared that we would be in trouble.
Eventually we ran into a woman who knew us. She took us home.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Music
Music has had such a big place in my life, and I forget that sometimes.
My mom had been taught the basics of music at a young age by her grandmother. She had a lovely baby grand piano that was always a part of our lives, except for the three years we were overseas. What was remarkable was that she could hear any song, say on the radio, and sit down and play it. With all the chords.
Now this was not instantaneous, she sometimes had to think it through and work it out. But still, I was always impressed by that talent, and enjoyed a lot of the music she produced.
I married a gal (Mildred) who had been playing the piano in public since she was 11 years old. She had never had the time or the inclination to become, say, a concert pianist, though I have no doubt she could have. She loved her music, and the piano that I got from my aunt Mary's estate became a fixture in our home. She played it until it fell apart and we bought a new one.
Near the end of her life she was the ward organist, at a great personal cost. By that time her whole body was in pain, but especially her hands and her back. She still wouldn't give up playing the organ in church every Sunday, but paid a big price for it for the next day or two.
I married another gal (Sally) who had been singing in public for just about as long. She grew up on the island of Bermuda and as a young adult there sung in night clubs and such.
Sally still has a beautiful voice, one that I don't get to hear very often. But recently some friends have scooped her up into an ensemble they are putting together to sing what they call Magic Songs. These are songs that are memorable and emotional.
The first practice we had was just Sally and the cellist (and organizer), Scott Davis. I was coopted into being the narrator for the presentation. The songs he had picked out so far all seem to have a high emotional charge for me, mostly because of what was going on in my life at the time each was popular.
But most of all I was enchanted, once again, with Sally's voice. It's definitely not the voice of an 18-year-old, but that of a mature woman. Yet it has an ageless quality about it that makes me almost able to see her as she was at that age. If quality is any part of success (which I don't think it is most times, not in that industry), she could have been at the top of the charts in her day.
Mostly though, the passion for singing has been reawakened, and that is good. She has been giggling more, and practicing a lot, and is really happy. She is able to shift her load off her shoulders for a time and just be happy.
I have to say that in an odd way, I fell in love with her because of her voice. The first time we ever spoke on the phone (we were brought together by an internet site) I fell, and knew she was the one. Singing to each other became part of our courtship, though I know she got the short end of that stick.
My mom had been taught the basics of music at a young age by her grandmother. She had a lovely baby grand piano that was always a part of our lives, except for the three years we were overseas. What was remarkable was that she could hear any song, say on the radio, and sit down and play it. With all the chords.
Now this was not instantaneous, she sometimes had to think it through and work it out. But still, I was always impressed by that talent, and enjoyed a lot of the music she produced.
I married a gal (Mildred) who had been playing the piano in public since she was 11 years old. She had never had the time or the inclination to become, say, a concert pianist, though I have no doubt she could have. She loved her music, and the piano that I got from my aunt Mary's estate became a fixture in our home. She played it until it fell apart and we bought a new one.
Near the end of her life she was the ward organist, at a great personal cost. By that time her whole body was in pain, but especially her hands and her back. She still wouldn't give up playing the organ in church every Sunday, but paid a big price for it for the next day or two.
I married another gal (Sally) who had been singing in public for just about as long. She grew up on the island of Bermuda and as a young adult there sung in night clubs and such.
Sally still has a beautiful voice, one that I don't get to hear very often. But recently some friends have scooped her up into an ensemble they are putting together to sing what they call Magic Songs. These are songs that are memorable and emotional.
The first practice we had was just Sally and the cellist (and organizer), Scott Davis. I was coopted into being the narrator for the presentation. The songs he had picked out so far all seem to have a high emotional charge for me, mostly because of what was going on in my life at the time each was popular.
But most of all I was enchanted, once again, with Sally's voice. It's definitely not the voice of an 18-year-old, but that of a mature woman. Yet it has an ageless quality about it that makes me almost able to see her as she was at that age. If quality is any part of success (which I don't think it is most times, not in that industry), she could have been at the top of the charts in her day.
Mostly though, the passion for singing has been reawakened, and that is good. She has been giggling more, and practicing a lot, and is really happy. She is able to shift her load off her shoulders for a time and just be happy.
I have to say that in an odd way, I fell in love with her because of her voice. The first time we ever spoke on the phone (we were brought together by an internet site) I fell, and knew she was the one. Singing to each other became part of our courtship, though I know she got the short end of that stick.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
David's Fat Legs
All our kids were scrawny. When small they were all in the 3rd percentile for their age. Our pediatrician just got used to it, but every once in a while he changed nurses and we had to teach the new one that it was okay, and that our kids were healthy.
David was one of the scrawniest. One summer day, he must have been 5-ish, he came in after playing outside all day. Mildred looked down at his legs, which were pretty much covered with bruises (as little boys can do), and said "David, look at those legs".
He looked down and said "Yeah, they're fat, aren't they" :)
David was one of the scrawniest. One summer day, he must have been 5-ish, he came in after playing outside all day. Mildred looked down at his legs, which were pretty much covered with bruises (as little boys can do), and said "David, look at those legs".
He looked down and said "Yeah, they're fat, aren't they" :)
Quarante Litres
When we lived in France the first time (1959-1963) we brought with us a turquoise 1956 Mercury. We took that beast all over Europe with a rack that my dad made piled high with camping equipment.
Since the US military was in just about every country in Europe that wasn't behind the Iron Curtain, a very nice perk was gasoline at US military prices, instead of having to pay the what civilians did.
My dad would buy chits before a trip, each of which was good for 10 liters. They could only be redeemed at gas stations that displayed a US Quartermaster placard, so when it was getting to be about that time we all kept our eyes peeled for one.
Now my dad never really did learn much French. But he did know to say "quarante litres" (40 liters, or about 10 gallons). Then it was (apparently) my job to monitor the transaction.
I remember one time the gas station attendant wasn't paying attention and went past the quarante litres. But with the chits it was all (10 litres) or nothing. So my dad ended up having to pay the difference out of his pocket.
Boy, did I get in trouble!
Since the US military was in just about every country in Europe that wasn't behind the Iron Curtain, a very nice perk was gasoline at US military prices, instead of having to pay the what civilians did.
My dad would buy chits before a trip, each of which was good for 10 liters. They could only be redeemed at gas stations that displayed a US Quartermaster placard, so when it was getting to be about that time we all kept our eyes peeled for one.
Now my dad never really did learn much French. But he did know to say "quarante litres" (40 liters, or about 10 gallons). Then it was (apparently) my job to monitor the transaction.
I remember one time the gas station attendant wasn't paying attention and went past the quarante litres. But with the chits it was all (10 litres) or nothing. So my dad ended up having to pay the difference out of his pocket.
Boy, did I get in trouble!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Eldred G Smith
Eldred G Smith was the last functioning Presiding Patriarch of the Church and as such was a direct descendant of Hyrum, the brother of the prophet Joseph.
While at BYU one Sunday evening I went to a fireside where Elder Smith was the speaker. I was fascinated by all that he knew and by the things he talked about that I had never even read about. Of course as a relatively new convert (this was after my mission, so I had been a member for about 4 years), all this stuff that everyone else had grown up with was intriguing.
I remember he was talking about the box that Joseph had commissioned to keep the plates in and safe while he was translating them. Joseph described it as being a wooden box, or chest, with a lid and a lock.
Then Eldred Smith reached down under the podium, brought something out and put it down in front of him and declared "This is the box".
I was so moved by the experience that I have never forgotten it. I even went up afterwards so that I could see it. It was plain and worn with age. And it had held the golden plates.
While at BYU one Sunday evening I went to a fireside where Elder Smith was the speaker. I was fascinated by all that he knew and by the things he talked about that I had never even read about. Of course as a relatively new convert (this was after my mission, so I had been a member for about 4 years), all this stuff that everyone else had grown up with was intriguing.
I remember he was talking about the box that Joseph had commissioned to keep the plates in and safe while he was translating them. Joseph described it as being a wooden box, or chest, with a lid and a lock.
Then Eldred Smith reached down under the podium, brought something out and put it down in front of him and declared "This is the box".
I was so moved by the experience that I have never forgotten it. I even went up afterwards so that I could see it. It was plain and worn with age. And it had held the golden plates.
Bekah kept me awake
Every year, like clockwork, we piled the whole family into our 9-seater VW van and made the trek to Utah.
We had learned that the 12-hour trip went faster and easier if we went at night so that the kids slept. I'm sure millions of parents have done this over the years.
Well the problem was, of course, my staying awake. We solved that by having a designated talker - Bekah - sit up front with me and keep me from dozing.
She was the perfect choice.
We had learned that the 12-hour trip went faster and easier if we went at night so that the kids slept. I'm sure millions of parents have done this over the years.
Well the problem was, of course, my staying awake. We solved that by having a designated talker - Bekah - sit up front with me and keep me from dozing.
She was the perfect choice.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tomato Soup
I don't know why I don't like tomato soup. I never have, maybe never will.
I remember that when I was in grade school before we moved to Paris (I went to Hill School in Novato, CA) I only got to buy my lunch every once in a while.
You guessed it, almost every time, lunch was tomato soup.
I remember that when I was in grade school before we moved to Paris (I went to Hill School in Novato, CA) I only got to buy my lunch every once in a while.
You guessed it, almost every time, lunch was tomato soup.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Disneyland, In Utero
In August of 1979 I was scheduled for a week-long IBM class of some kind in Los Angeles.
We have some friends (Kim and Mary Purgaugh, to name names) in Rialto, which is next door to San Bernardino, California, and about 60 miles from Los Angeles. I talked my boss into letting me trade three "free" nights of staying with our friends for two nights in the Bonaventure Hotel, which would have otherwise been too expensive for the whole week.
The Bonaventure was fun. Our room was wedge shaped, but every room had a view of the outside.
The class schedule allowed for one free day before we had to get gone, so of course we had to go to Disneyland. Now honestly, I could have lived without going to Disneyland, but Mildred insisted.
At this point she was 8 months pregnant with David, our middle (#4) child, and I have to say that she was a real drag ;) But we really did have fun there.
I'm sure there were others of David's sibs who went to Disneyland in utero, but he was definitely the closest to delivery.
We have some friends (Kim and Mary Purgaugh, to name names) in Rialto, which is next door to San Bernardino, California, and about 60 miles from Los Angeles. I talked my boss into letting me trade three "free" nights of staying with our friends for two nights in the Bonaventure Hotel, which would have otherwise been too expensive for the whole week.
The Bonaventure was fun. Our room was wedge shaped, but every room had a view of the outside.
The class schedule allowed for one free day before we had to get gone, so of course we had to go to Disneyland. Now honestly, I could have lived without going to Disneyland, but Mildred insisted.
At this point she was 8 months pregnant with David, our middle (#4) child, and I have to say that she was a real drag ;) But we really did have fun there.
I'm sure there were others of David's sibs who went to Disneyland in utero, but he was definitely the closest to delivery.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Dance Festival
I was a member of the church for one year and two weeks when I left on my mission. That wasn't a lot of time to get to know how to "be" a mormon.
But two things I did get to do were Roadshows and Dance Festival.
I lived in Novato, California and we were in the Santa Rosa Stake. The stake went all the way up north to Willits, and all the way south to the Golden Gate Bridge.
We did Dance Festival at three levels, first on the ward level, where we performed out in the back parking lot, then on the stake level, where we drove the 33 miles to the stake center and performed there, then on the regional level.
The regional dance festival must have taken in the whole Bay Area and was held in Spartan Stadium of San Jose State University. And what a thrill it was! 1500 kids all out on the football field, dancing, together, under the lights.
To this day I remember what a moving experience that was, and how impressed my parents were, sitting up in the audience. They didn't attend a lot of church stuff I did, but they did attend that.
But two things I did get to do were Roadshows and Dance Festival.
I lived in Novato, California and we were in the Santa Rosa Stake. The stake went all the way up north to Willits, and all the way south to the Golden Gate Bridge.
We did Dance Festival at three levels, first on the ward level, where we performed out in the back parking lot, then on the stake level, where we drove the 33 miles to the stake center and performed there, then on the regional level.
The regional dance festival must have taken in the whole Bay Area and was held in Spartan Stadium of San Jose State University. And what a thrill it was! 1500 kids all out on the football field, dancing, together, under the lights.
To this day I remember what a moving experience that was, and how impressed my parents were, sitting up in the audience. They didn't attend a lot of church stuff I did, but they did attend that.
Generator Brushes
My dad went through a phase where everytime something went wrong with one of their cars it was always "generator brushes". Heaven only knows how he picked that as an excuse. He even extended it to me and Mildred. When something went wrong with one of our cars, he of course asked us if our generator brushes had gone bad.
Well, one day they went bad :)
Well, one day they went bad :)
When Are You Leaving?
My father told the story of when he was first away at college (which was Dartmouth, class of 1939) and came home for his first visit.
I guess my grandfather asked him "When are you leaving" by which, of course, he meant "We are happy to see you, how long will you be able to be with us?". My father, of course, took the other meaning "Okay, you've barely gotten inside the door, now when are you leaving?".
My dad didn't talk much about his relationship with any of his family, but this was a great insite into his relationship with his dad. I wish I had more of them.
I guess my grandfather asked him "When are you leaving" by which, of course, he meant "We are happy to see you, how long will you be able to be with us?". My father, of course, took the other meaning "Okay, you've barely gotten inside the door, now when are you leaving?".
My dad didn't talk much about his relationship with any of his family, but this was a great insite into his relationship with his dad. I wish I had more of them.
Washing Dishes in the Temple
When I was a student at BYU they began building the Provo Temple. The construction site itself was great, it gave us an excuse to take someone of the opposite gender on a drive and make out.
Anyway, when the construction was almost complete my best friend Dave Schepps and I got jobs in the cafeteria washing dishes. I don't know why we got those jobs, but it seems like the cooking staff were all full-timers, whereas we were students and could only work part time.
It was a fun job. We had an automatic dishwasher where all we had to do was put plates/silverware/glasses/whatever in containers and run them through. If they didn't come out clean we would run them through again.
But best of all was this 1/2 horsepower garbage disposal that would grind just about anything, at least until it got jammed. Then we were really in trouble.
All the people who were eating the food could see was a window where they deposited their dirty dishes. We would stand on the other side of the window and do what we did. But while I was there, I sang. Songs from Broadway, or church songs, or whatever.
The Temple President, President Clark, pulled me aside once and told me the singing was good, but too loud. So I toned it down.
The best thing that came from the experience was that when Mildred and I got married I asked President Clark to perform the marriage, which he did.
Anyway, when the construction was almost complete my best friend Dave Schepps and I got jobs in the cafeteria washing dishes. I don't know why we got those jobs, but it seems like the cooking staff were all full-timers, whereas we were students and could only work part time.
It was a fun job. We had an automatic dishwasher where all we had to do was put plates/silverware/glasses/whatever in containers and run them through. If they didn't come out clean we would run them through again.
But best of all was this 1/2 horsepower garbage disposal that would grind just about anything, at least until it got jammed. Then we were really in trouble.
All the people who were eating the food could see was a window where they deposited their dirty dishes. We would stand on the other side of the window and do what we did. But while I was there, I sang. Songs from Broadway, or church songs, or whatever.
The Temple President, President Clark, pulled me aside once and told me the singing was good, but too loud. So I toned it down.
The best thing that came from the experience was that when Mildred and I got married I asked President Clark to perform the marriage, which he did.
Quarante Litres
One of the perks that US military people stationed in Europe had was a reduced price on gasoline. Now I doubt very much that the price of gasoline was very high anyway, by today's standards, but still, it made it cheaper for us to drive all over.
The way it worked was that my dad could buy coupons worth 10 liters each at work. We then just needed to find a gas station that displayed a special symbol, that of the army quartermaster. Then we could buy gas just using the coupons.
Our routine was that my dad would order "quarante litres", which was about the extent of his French. Quarante litres means "40 liters" and it's roughly 10 gallons. He gave them four coupons and away we went.
But as the oldest, and the one that spoke the most French, I guess it was my job to make sure they didn't go over the 40 liters.
Well, one time they did, and my dad had to pay cash for the extra, and I was sure in trouble...
The way it worked was that my dad could buy coupons worth 10 liters each at work. We then just needed to find a gas station that displayed a special symbol, that of the army quartermaster. Then we could buy gas just using the coupons.
Our routine was that my dad would order "quarante litres", which was about the extent of his French. Quarante litres means "40 liters" and it's roughly 10 gallons. He gave them four coupons and away we went.
But as the oldest, and the one that spoke the most French, I guess it was my job to make sure they didn't go over the 40 liters.
Well, one time they did, and my dad had to pay cash for the extra, and I was sure in trouble...
The Officer's Club
In telling this story I might be embarassing my sister Karen, but I hope not. She probably doesn't even remember the incident.
We lived in Paris, France from December of 1959 until the summer of 1962. My father was an Air Force major, stationed at a joint military command there. I was 11 when we moved there and 14 when we left.
Everyone who has seen a picture of Paris has either seen the Eiffel Tower or the Étoile. Étoile means "star" in French, and it is so named because there are 12 major streets that feed into it. There is a major street that rings the familiar monument, which is actually the French Tomb of the Unknowns.
Well on that street was the Officer's Club and we would go there from time to time either for a special event or for the Sunday buffet.
We were there for some event once. My memory was that we were all dressed up and a bunch of the kids were off in an area away from the parents. We were sitting in easy chairs when a girl that I was really interested in came over to the group. My sister poked me and said "Stand up and let her sit in your chair".
Well I was embarassed, to say the least, and have never forgotten that. And of course I have no idea who the girl was :)
We lived in Paris, France from December of 1959 until the summer of 1962. My father was an Air Force major, stationed at a joint military command there. I was 11 when we moved there and 14 when we left.
Everyone who has seen a picture of Paris has either seen the Eiffel Tower or the Étoile. Étoile means "star" in French, and it is so named because there are 12 major streets that feed into it. There is a major street that rings the familiar monument, which is actually the French Tomb of the Unknowns.
Well on that street was the Officer's Club and we would go there from time to time either for a special event or for the Sunday buffet.
We were there for some event once. My memory was that we were all dressed up and a bunch of the kids were off in an area away from the parents. We were sitting in easy chairs when a girl that I was really interested in came over to the group. My sister poked me and said "Stand up and let her sit in your chair".
Well I was embarassed, to say the least, and have never forgotten that. And of course I have no idea who the girl was :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Mickey Mouse Club
When I was very young we lived on Fort Meyer, Virginia. We lived there from 1953-1955, so I was in the neighborhood of 5-7.
The Mickey Mouse Club started in 1955 (I had to look that up) and everyone knew when the first episode would be.
I don't remember exactly what I had done, but I had done something to get myself banned from tv and wasn't going to be able see that important first episode. So I went over to a friend's house to watch it :)
His mom asked me why I wasn't watching it at home, and being essentially a good (but obviously not too bright ;) ) kid, I told her.
Well, I didn't get to watch it there, either.
The Mickey Mouse Club started in 1955 (I had to look that up) and everyone knew when the first episode would be.
I don't remember exactly what I had done, but I had done something to get myself banned from tv and wasn't going to be able see that important first episode. So I went over to a friend's house to watch it :)
His mom asked me why I wasn't watching it at home, and being essentially a good (but obviously not too bright ;) ) kid, I told her.
Well, I didn't get to watch it there, either.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
My Dad's Diner Joke #2
Another of my dad's favorite jokes was about the man in the diner eating a bowl of soup until he noticed a fly in it.
He motioned the waiter over and asked him "What's this fly doing in my soup?".
The waiter looked down, thought a moment and said "The backstroke".
:)
He motioned the waiter over and asked him "What's this fly doing in my soup?".
The waiter looked down, thought a moment and said "The backstroke".
:)
My Dad's Diner Joke #1
One of my dad's favorite jokes was about the man in the diner who had to use the "facilities" just as his soup arrived.
He grabbed a napkin and wrote on it "I spit in this soup", then put the napkin right next to the bowl. He hoped this would keep anyone else from taking and eating it.
When he returned he found someone had written: "So did I".
:)
He grabbed a napkin and wrote on it "I spit in this soup", then put the napkin right next to the bowl. He hoped this would keep anyone else from taking and eating it.
When he returned he found someone had written: "So did I".
:)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Marjorie
Fraggle Rock was one of the kids' favorite tv shows. Okay, I confess, it was one of my favorite tv shows. At any rate, one of the characters was Marjorie.
Marjorie was the trash heap and the font of all wisdom. Any time someone needed the answer to a perplexing question, they asked her.
We had this odd corner where the house, the fence and the patio met and over time it gathered this and that.
We called it Marjorie, of course.
Marjorie was the trash heap and the font of all wisdom. Any time someone needed the answer to a perplexing question, they asked her.
We had this odd corner where the house, the fence and the patio met and over time it gathered this and that.
We called it Marjorie, of course.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
David Was Skinny
David was so skinny that he was in danger when a stiff wind blew. Anyone who has seen the Disney movie Dumbo will understand.
One day when he was about 5 he came in after a hard day of playing outside. His legs below his shorts were all bruised up, as happens with little boys.
Mildred took one look and said "David, your legs!". He looked down at them and said "Yeah, they're fat, aren't they".
One day when he was about 5 he came in after a hard day of playing outside. His legs below his shorts were all bruised up, as happens with little boys.
Mildred took one look and said "David, your legs!". He looked down at them and said "Yeah, they're fat, aren't they".
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