Time Experience Thoughts

Becky was sitting at her desk. She glanced outside and knew that, as the sky was of a certain hue and contrast, there would be a rainbow. Sure enough. She called out to me, and we found this rainbow on our street. It was dusk, with a high level of contrast and color. Rainbows remind me of one of my favorite songwriters, and one of his best songs. See below. # Ribbon in the Sky (Stevie Wonder) Oh so long for this night I prayed That a star would guide you my way To share with me this special day Where a ribbon's in the sky for our love. If allowed may I touch your hand And if pleased may I once again So that you too will understand There's a ribbon in the sky for our love. Do...do... Do do do do do... Hmm hmm... This is not a coincidence And far more than a lucky chance But what is that was always meant Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love . We can't lose with God on our side We'll find strength in each tear we cry From now on it will be you and I And our ri...

Scott Serves now as first counselor in the bishopric. Works for a competitor to his last company. Finalized move of three wards into a new chapel—including ours. Drove to Kansas to spend Christmas with mother and sister—just got home. http://scottvanatter.blogspot.com/ Becky Serves as the shift coordinator every Thursday evening at the Washington D.C. Temple (with President and Sister Tingey—Scott’s former mission president!). Teaches the Adult Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class. 8th year working for BYU—Coordinating the Washington D.C. Student Teaching Program. Sydney Moved to Arlington (Crystal City) this year. Now in the Colonial Ward. Works in the Washington D.C. Temple on Thursday evenings on Becky’s shift. Traveled to Greece this fall. Is dating Mike! (“Love is in the air!”) http://photogal98.blogspot.com/ Carrie and Scott (along with Ryan, Sean, and Kyle) Summer and Thanksgiving in Virginia. Bough...

Becky and I went to a local car show with some friends, Karl and Belinda. (Karl builds hot rods for fun.) I'm guessing there were over 200 cars, including at least five '55 Chevys! The camera angle is pretty low here because we had Becky sitting in a wheelchair. No real need; we're just being extra careful so as to not mess with her recent surgery.

Gunn Park Summer 2008 Becky and I visited my Mom in Fort Scott, Kansas. We walked at Gunn Park in the mornings. (Pictures from the morning and afternoon.)

By Dorothy Vanatter, my Mom (Poem written in 1954 about me, their new son) He coos and he talks. He laughs and he grins. He’s loved from his sox To both of his chins. His baby blue eyes – How they twinkle and glow. And, oh, when he sighs, Such contentment they show. He brings us such love As none else can do. From heaven above He was sent us, it’s true. He smiles so to say That he loves everyone. That’s our baby boy. That’s our baby son. With a little chubby hand And his tiny baby feet He’ll play in the sand With the kids ‘cross the street. What he’ll need is a pup To tag at his heels, And as he grows up, Share the love that he feels. He’ll grow up like Dad – Be big and be strong. He’ll know what is bad, He’ll know right from wrong. We’ll teach him in love The best that we can. And too soon he’ll grow up And he’ll be a man. And when he is grown In the life that before him, He’ll surely have known How much we adore him. ~ MY COMMENT: This poem by my angel Mother offers beautiful insight...

Christmas 1967. Becky is all elbows and sharp angles. I have hair. (We were 13 years old. I was about to turn 14.) Duarte High dance, 1969. (We were 15 years old.) Christmas Eve, 1971. (We were 17 years old.) December 1973, just before my mission. (We were 19 years old.) December 1975, just after my mission. (We were 21 years old.)

“Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Carrie, Scott and Family http://www.forevermotts.blogspot.com/  (Roseville, CA) Carrie is a busy, stay-at-home mom and blogger. With her blog, she both creates an ongoing family history, and also keeps grandma and grandpa up-to-date. She serves as 2nd counselor in the Young Women organization. Scott, her hubby, works as a financial planner/stock broker at Merrill Lynch. He serves as the ward Elders Quorum President. This past summer he also had successful thyroid cancer surgery, with the related radioactive iodine treatment. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.) Scott is of good cheer. Carrie and the boys are very glad to have him with them for a long time to come. Sean (2) and Ryan (4) will be welcoming a new baby brother into the family, due to join them in early April 2008! Carrie and the boys visited us this summer; Scott then joine...

Thanksgiving 2007

Grandma Becky bought several costumes for Ryan and Sean to play in, a fireman, a policeman, a knight, etc. Ryan ended up staying dressed as the fireman most all the first day or so that they were here in Virginia. (In this pic, he was actually watching TV . . . in his fireman outfit.) Ryan said several times over the past week or so that when he grows up his "job" will be Superman. Evidently, he wants to go to Superman school. This is kinda neat, seeing as how when I was but a young boy I read my fair share of Superman comic books (though I was not a big fan of reading lots of other comics). And, of course, I watched a fair amount of the TV Superman. I dreamed of Superman many, many times. Scores of times I dreamed -- at night -- of flying. Maybe a hundred times altogether. Also, as a kid, I dreamed -- literal daydreams -- of being a hero; of being in tough situations; of being -- through no fault of my own -- on the edge of annihilation, but miraculously coming out on top at...

Together alone, as I watched him there asleep, I gazed deep into that angel face. Every angle, every curve, every shape… Every peek into his soul … did I trace. That first day that held him; I held him close for a while. And back and forth his eyes followed mine it seemed. I wondered. My mind wandered. It drifted upward , And then I dreamed. What will he become? Who will he be? I wonder what he sees. And then I remembered how long he’d been – Eternities, upon eternities . His father that raises and cares for and loves him -- And helps him now to grow, Has already seen and accomplished, spiritually, More than most will ever know. The glory they trail together , having come from such lofty heights -- And having lived with those Great Souls -- Will spread throughout their every shared path, And bless all those with whom they sow. What this choice son will see, and what he will become, Will largely mirror the reflection he beholds In the lens of his father’s life and eyes ; Even in ...

My '55 Chevy. (1972)

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena , whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." (Excerpt from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, April 23, 1910.)