Tag Archive for: Memories

Echoes of Dad’s Love

And just like that…
In the blink of an eye…
It’s been twenty years, since his passing on 16th January 2005.
Yesterday, we gathered to honour the memory of our dad.
“Giant Jacky” – as he was fondly known.
Mum is moving a little slower, her eyesight a little dimmer, but nevertheless, the matriarch of our clan, stoically presses forward, loved by so many.
The memories shared once more were special.
At the graveside, Paul shared about why the burial plot was secured in earshot of the railway line.
Mum even shared a new story about a poem dad had written for her, that she found after he’d passed to the other side of the veil.
It was a sweet recollection of his poetry prowess.
We miss him.
Many miss him.
Being together.
Laughing together.
Storytelling together.
Eating together.
His legacy of love, humour, and faith lives on through each of us.
As we reminisced, we were reminded that the influence of a great father never truly fades.
Do you have a special memory perhaps of “Jacky”.
If you knew him, we’d love to hear your story about him.
Please share, it would be lovely to hear it…

Remember

Meeting the Gubler family last week was fun.
Last year, we met their oldest son Henry, for the first time, when he arrived in the Belgium Netherlands Mission (BNZ).
Although we’d heard a little about his family, it was a delight to finally meet with them.
Together, we enjoyed a lovely lunch in Culross.
Our time was filled with love, joyful stories, and a few laughs, especially when Zack got a little excited by his glass of lime and lemonade!
Shared experiences have a unique way of bringing people closer, creating bonds that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Sometimes we never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Not only do we have lovely memories of being with Henry in the mission field, but we also now have a memory of a special time with his whole family.
This shared history is what makes relationships with family, friends and loved ones so meaningful.
There is something about shared memories that create a sense of belonging.
When you make memories with others, you feel part of something bigger than yourself.
Whether its with family, new friends, or missionaries in the BNZ, it’s my experience that creating memories and remembering them, fosters a sense of togetherness and belonging that builds a unique and powerful bond for all of us.
These priceless treasures we call memories, are the glue that makes our relationships stronger.
I am so glad that we all made time for each other.
Good memories are real blessings to remember and never forget.
Remembering is not only a good and practical thing to do, but it’s also a scriptural practice.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ, is built upon remembering Him.
When the Saviour instituted the sacrament, He invited His disciples to partake of the emblems “in remembrance” of His sacrifice.
In every sacrament prayer each Sunday, we hear, the word always preceding the word remember.
And in the Book of Mormon, during King Benjamin’s final address, he used the word remember seven times.
He hoped that his people would remember “the greatness of God … and his goodness and long-suffering” toward them. – Mosiah 4:11.
My invitation – when you recall your memories, remember how your Father in Heaven has blessed you too.

The Good Old Days

We are made up of our memories.
And last night a few came flooding back, as Phil Gibbins and I took a stroll down memory lane….
Stepping back in time, we met at our old Oliver Wyman office at 55 Baker Street in London, followed by a meandering walk in the area and then to a favourite restaurant on Marylebone High Street.
We exchanged a warm hug; joyful smiles were ever present, and our conversation flowed easily as we engaged with one another to reminisce about “𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔”.

Storytelling

As we shared our fun memories, there were stories galore and the air was filled with frequent laughter as we spoke about our crazy antics.
Together we’d weathered some notable experiences during our time frame of shared history, working side by side from 2008 – 2012.
Nostalgic moments, as we felt the power of the past that shaped our present.
Days never to be forgotten!
Over the years, although we’d connected once or twice in bite size chunks on LinkedIn and Zoom, those feelings were simply not the same as seeing each other after such a long time, in real life, to share a drink and meal together.
It was a heart warming reunion, a shared rekindling of a connection that time will never erode.

Life Happens

Life has happened and we are no longer who we once were, the signs of the passage of time had taken their toll!
Our night wasn’t just about the past, as we got caught up on each other’s current lives our aspirations and how much we had changed.
It was an occasion to reflect and appreciate just how far we had come.
A little older and perhaps a little wiser, but still as cantankerous as ever!
“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Maintaining ties with the past is so important.
Meeting up with Phil last night reminded me of the old Joseph Parry quote, “Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold.” – it’s just so true.
As the night came to a close, we recalled our taxi driver “Malcolm” who’d regularly pick us up at Manchester Airport, and the priceless discovery that after all those years he was still on the speed dial of my phone!
Departing, we promised each other that we wouldn’t leave it so many years until we met again, perhaps next time too, with a few other former colleagues alongside for good measure!
What is the most interesting or funniest memory you’ve taken away from a reunion?

London

It’s approaching nearly 5 years since I was last in London.
Unbelievable.
My last time was on 18th December 2019 for some consulting.
Covid came along early in 2020 and blocked all travel for a while.
Then we were in Belgium and the Netherlands from June of 2021 for another 3 years.
Yesterday, it felt good to be back on the warmest day of the year.
32C! It was hot!
In amongst some business networking, I visited with a great friend in Parliament – Julie Jones and we talked all about Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB).
It was a real delight to catch up after so long.
I stopped by South Kensington too.
As an 18-year-old, I spent a lot of time as a young missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in and around that area.
That was 40 years ago now!
It felt as if the platform was exactly the same.
Many memories came rushing back for me, as I thought about the many times I’d been on the platform before.
Later it was off to Kensington, to meet up with Emerson Randle, one of our missionaries from Belgium and the Netherlands.
She is in London for a summer internship.
It was an absolute joy to be with her for a wee while and reminisce.
Sweet memories for us both came flooding back.
The visits with Julie, Emerson and to South Kensington – all have one thing in common.
The connection – Jesus Christ.
This quote from C.S. Lewis, sums up perfectly how I feel about yesterday and being with dear friends and special places.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.”
It is because of Him that I see what is possible in our lives.
And so can you too.

Familiar Melody

A few weeks ago, Monic and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of music and dance with BYU Living Legends in Brussels.
Living Legends presents a vibrant spectacle of energy, music, costume, and dance that celebrates the cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific.
As I was listening to the music that evening, there was one song that had a very familiar haunting melody.

The Words…

I listened intently to the peaceful, uplifting music and words…
“Go, my son, go and climb the ladder.
Go, my son, go and earn your feather.
Go, my son, make your people proud of you.
Work, my son, get an education.
Climb, my son. Go and take a lofty view.
From on the ladder of an education,
You can see to help your Indian Nation,
And reach, my son. Lift your people up with you.”
It had a calming, soothing influence on all of us gathered in the auditorium.
The words flowed with a warm feeling and enlightened my mind, as I considered all of our missionary sons and daughters who had gone, climbed and lifted so many others.
Yet, there was more.
From somewhere long ago, I had experienced this feeling of musical joy before.
I recalled the song from a touring BYU group entitled “Ancient America Speaks”.

Back Home…

Now back home, and tidying out my office this week, lo and behold, what did I discover in a box of paperwork, but the original flyer for the production of the show in January 1976!
I recall many members of our local congregation sang in the supporting choir.
A moment of pure serendipity for sure.
Similarly, my experience these last few years has helped me understand that when missionaries teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone who is sincere in their desire to learn more about Him, its as if a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 begins to ring in their ears.
These moments of whispered inspiration are as if you are learning familiar things.
I know that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ echoes a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 to all those who will take time to stop and listen.
How does the gospel feel like a 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 for you?

Tuesday Mornings…

Tuesday mornings aren’t going to be quite the same anymore!
For the last 3 years, Jurgen, Chris and I would spend an hour online together as a Mission Presidency, counselling about all of the important matters of running the Belgium Netherlands Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Counsellors

Whilst the missionaries were starting their Preparation Day (P-Day) we’d be counselling together to address the salient challenges of the week.
And there was always lots to talk about.
Although we met weekly, I think hardly one day has passed by that I haven’t spoken with either Jurgen or Chris.
The wise writer of Proverbs tells us that “in … counsellors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14.)
Counselling together with one another was a constant.
We’d counsel together in order to reach a united conclusion, to help us know the direction we intended to pursue was in harmony with the Lord’s will.

Volunteers

The three of us never sought out these assignments, we were simply asked by a church leader to serve, giving many hours voluntarily every week.
It’s been a labour of love for all of us.
Over the last 3 years we have developed a strong bond of friendship too.
On Sunday evening, I took a trip up to Zwolle, with the Assistants, to spend some final moments with Jurgen, Analía, and Christel.
I took some time to release Jurgen from his responsibilities in the Mission Presidency and we enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce for a while too.
One of our sweetest memories was when we set up an experimental “Social Media District” for a few months. Lots of lessons were learned together as Jurgen, Analia and Christel spent many long hours working with many missionaries in the office together in Gouda.
For several months, Christel was travelling almost daily between Zwolle and Gouda, as we built some momentum in our social media efforts.
Days never to be forgotten, for sure!
Helen Keller said “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
As I recall the sweet memories made with my dear friends, I know that it is all about what we have all felt in our hearts together.
Thank you for all the memories.
Until we meet again dear friends.

Be there!

𝐁𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!
Whilst on a video call last night with our three grown children, my mind drifted back to when they were all much smaller.
In my minds eye, I was holding hands with our youngest daughter, walking through our beautiful park in town.
It felt like only yesterday, but 10 years have swiftly passed by.
Those tender moments are one of the sweetest, most enjoyable parts of life.
Suddenly – growing older, there can come a sense of having been there – and yet knowingly perhaps, I should have enjoyed the journey much, much more.
I’m sure those old like me, or older even – will understand my sentiment.
Life is going on all of the time.
Sometimes we are so focused on the next big thing, that we miss much of the beautiful scenery along the way.
Time with loved ones, the holidays, the picnics, the walks, the challenges are all part of 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.
There is purpose and meaning to all that we experience and undergo in this life.
We should enjoy our children when we have them around us, as I know now, they won’t always be with us.
Back then when they were young, they not only needed us, they also wanted us too!
We live through each part of our life only once, we don’t go back, so it is vitally important that we 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆!
There are few sweeter memories than your child’s hand in yours, walking with you.
Wherever you are, 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, be present and enjoy the moment, our life after all, is only a nanosecond of time.
How can you focus better, be present and be engaged in the here and now?

What will I write about today?

Picking up my new journal for 2022 this morning, “What will I write about today?” I thought….
How will be different because of what we have heard, seen and felt in 2021?
I have written about the importance of daily journaling, on many, many occasions.
Since Christmas Day 1977, journaling has been a huge part of my life. It has been a constant daily habit for 16,000 days +
There are 101 reasons to write a journal – here are my top 10 favourites:

Why Write a Journal?

• It improves memory function and helps you remember things.
• It helps you to set and achieve your goals.
• It strengthens self-discipline
• It helps boost your creativity
• It allows you to self-reflect and enhances your self-awareness
• It helps to improve your writing and discover your own voice
• It keeps your thoughts organised
• It helps me to remember who I really am – a child of God.
• It helps you to become aware of what really matters most
• It is always fun to relive the many entries recorded.
Finally, I loved President Russell M. Nelson’s encouragement yesterday to write down some resolutions for the year ahead. He shared three resolution’s, “Firstly strengthen your spiritual foundation….. Second, resolve to be kind to others….. Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).”
Why not record those resolutions in your own new journal today?
Why not resolve to start today?
I promise you, that you will never regret it.
My top tips, always write first thing in the morning, be radically honest with yourself and always write with a good pen!!
Are you keeping a journal?
What benefits do you get from journaling?

Christmas Memories

This Christmas season has brought many opportunities to spend time together making memories.
Over the last few months, there have been a number of missionaries who have brought the piano in the mission home to life by playing some wonderful musical numbers.
In our family, over the last couple of days each of us have shared our piano skills.
Yesterday, patiently, lovingly, carefully, Cristi spent an hour or so, practicing some simple Christmas melodies on the piano.
Very slowly and with a little more attention, her confidence grew.
It was the first time she’d sat in front of a piano for many years.
I watched, I listened, I encouraged and occasionally annoyed her too! Dads are good at that sometimes! But for me, I enjoyed the music and simplicity of the tunes. It’ll be an abiding memory that will stick with me for many years to come.
Through it all was family time, with loved ones both near and far.
Catching up, telling stories, playing games, enjoying a delicious meal, video calls and reminiscing on Christmas’s past. It’s just about spending time together, talking, laughing, sharing, serving, loving, and making memories.
There were far fewer gifts this year, but what I learned is that creating good memories are real blessings.
The spirit of service was very real in our home yesterday.
May we give as the Saviour gave.
I learned too that families don’t really want or need anything from you, but your love, your time, and your memories.
Think on your own life.
What abiding memories do you have of Christmas past and present?