This is a poem I have written for my Grandpa Baird (Ralph McGilvery Baird). I hope it may say some of what he may be thinking right now:
If life is a pathway to eternity,
I have been traveling the last mile for the last few years.
It feels as though my feet are treading on the smoothest ground,
yet I feel as though the spring in my step is gone.
I used to walk along this path without any assistance,
and at times I carried others across the dips and hills in their pathways.
However, now I take frequent stops to catch my breath,
and I seem to be covering no distance.
The world goes on and buzzes around me
like bees buzzing in a hive.
You have no reason stay amid the stress
when you've already said goodbye.
The companions I have met along the way
have shaped me into who I am.
I have served in a time of war
and have seen the ugliness that hate can bring.
But, I have also gained strength from the lessons learned
on my own defending my countries freedoms.
I have taught the youth of this great land
and hoped and prayed they will exceed our grasp.
The world keeps spinning from day to day
like the records June and I would play.
You have no reason to stop and dance
When you've already said goodbye.
This mortal shell is weak,
yet I know clearer than ever the truths of this great life.
My spirit is strong within this old body,
and I would yell the thoughts of my heart if the breath was in me.
I have fought a good fight as Paul would say;
I have given my all to His cause.
My family has grown to numbers I could have never imagined;
Each tender heart aches for me and I wish that I could tell them.
I walked this pathway of life to live with all of you for eternity.
Death has no sting for me through Christ our Lord.
You have no reason to fear the next great step
when you've already said goodbye.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
Olympic Gold Dreams
I like to run. It is a hobby of mine. I am not a super fast runner and I don't run everyday. I run three times a week for a little over 3 miles each day. Everyone else is asleep and I run and listen to my music. It is a very nice and peaceful time where I think about things I need to do, goals I have, etc...
Then, a few days ago I was running my regular route (through the neighborhoods where I live) when I heard a noise in the bushes. It sounded like two animals were in a vicious bloodthristy brawl. They weren't squirrels and they also sounded bigger than cats. Maybe a couple of dogs?
The sounds keep getting closer and closer to me. Keep in mind that I am listening to my music and can still here this very well. I finally decide to look down and I see that I am running over a sewer grate and this big angry sewer creature is clawing at me and coming out at me. This was the last thing I expected and my legs just take off. I had a burst of speed that a steroid-filled olympic sprinter would have died for. I could have made Carl Lewis look like Mr. Bean in those seconds that followed the discovery of the ferocious sewer monster.
Okay, so I look back over my shoulder as I am making this record breaking sprint and I see more of the body of this monster as it is crawling out of the sewer grate to determine if it wants to run after me. Its teeth are bared and I am definitely not sticking around.
At that moment when I felt like I was a safe distance, I realized I was so full of adrenaline that I could have thrown a semi truck like the Incredible Hulk.
Now, I have to be a honest here. The ferocious sewer monster was probably a big raccoon or possum (my guess is a raccoon). Obviously, I was on its territory. Luckily, I survived and maybe even realized my Olympic Gold Dreams. Ummm....if any one has this encounter on video please let me know. I would have loved to be a bystander of this whole ordeal.
Actually, I just found this picture on-line (no joke!!) and it is exactly what I am talking about except the raccoon was growling and there was plenty of gnashing of teeth. This raccoon also appears to be in some sort of a trap, poor thing.
Then, a few days ago I was running my regular route (through the neighborhoods where I live) when I heard a noise in the bushes. It sounded like two animals were in a vicious bloodthristy brawl. They weren't squirrels and they also sounded bigger than cats. Maybe a couple of dogs?
The sounds keep getting closer and closer to me. Keep in mind that I am listening to my music and can still here this very well. I finally decide to look down and I see that I am running over a sewer grate and this big angry sewer creature is clawing at me and coming out at me. This was the last thing I expected and my legs just take off. I had a burst of speed that a steroid-filled olympic sprinter would have died for. I could have made Carl Lewis look like Mr. Bean in those seconds that followed the discovery of the ferocious sewer monster.
Okay, so I look back over my shoulder as I am making this record breaking sprint and I see more of the body of this monster as it is crawling out of the sewer grate to determine if it wants to run after me. Its teeth are bared and I am definitely not sticking around.
At that moment when I felt like I was a safe distance, I realized I was so full of adrenaline that I could have thrown a semi truck like the Incredible Hulk.
Now, I have to be a honest here. The ferocious sewer monster was probably a big raccoon or possum (my guess is a raccoon). Obviously, I was on its territory. Luckily, I survived and maybe even realized my Olympic Gold Dreams. Ummm....if any one has this encounter on video please let me know. I would have loved to be a bystander of this whole ordeal.
Actually, I just found this picture on-line (no joke!!) and it is exactly what I am talking about except the raccoon was growling and there was plenty of gnashing of teeth. This raccoon also appears to be in some sort of a trap, poor thing.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
I am now a producer!!
I finally made a video! My wife has been an expert at this for quite some time and it looked like fun. So, I asked her to show me how to do it. It only took about 15 minutes or so and now I am ready to make a video of anything. I did start off small. I just did a few pictures from our last Family Home Evening (FHE). I told the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who were a group of people who had been a bloodthirsty and evil people misguided by the traditions of their wicked parents. They were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ through a missionary named Ammon.
After they were converted to the the Lord, they buried their weapons in the ground and promised God they would never raise their weapons again to hurt anyone. This promise cost them about 1,000 of their numbers when they were attacked by their own people who did not like that they had converted to the Lord. However, while they were being killed without defending themselves because of their promise to God, many of their brethren had a change of heart and were also converted to the Lord. In fact, their numbers were increased by more than they had lost that day. The Ammonites were sad that they had lost so many of their brethren, but they knew that those who died were righteous and they would live with God forever.
Our FHE included relating this story to our lives and burying our weapons of war. We defined our weapons of war as things that we did that we shouldn't. We wrote these items on paper swords and went to bury them in the backyard. For example, Miranda wrote that she would not tease her brother anymore. She is very good at teasing her brother and we were happy to see her decide to do that on her own. We went and buried all of our swords in the backyard and promised Heavenly Father we would not do them again. We had a fun time and it was a very learning-filled experience for all of us. If you have good FHE ideas, please share. Enjoy the video.
After they were converted to the the Lord, they buried their weapons in the ground and promised God they would never raise their weapons again to hurt anyone. This promise cost them about 1,000 of their numbers when they were attacked by their own people who did not like that they had converted to the Lord. However, while they were being killed without defending themselves because of their promise to God, many of their brethren had a change of heart and were also converted to the Lord. In fact, their numbers were increased by more than they had lost that day. The Ammonites were sad that they had lost so many of their brethren, but they knew that those who died were righteous and they would live with God forever.
Our FHE included relating this story to our lives and burying our weapons of war. We defined our weapons of war as things that we did that we shouldn't. We wrote these items on paper swords and went to bury them in the backyard. For example, Miranda wrote that she would not tease her brother anymore. She is very good at teasing her brother and we were happy to see her decide to do that on her own. We went and buried all of our swords in the backyard and promised Heavenly Father we would not do them again. We had a fun time and it was a very learning-filled experience for all of us. If you have good FHE ideas, please share. Enjoy the video.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Weird People
Now, don't get me wrong. I consider myself an extremely weird person. Although I would classify myself as a goofy, silly, I-know-I-am-different kind of weird. I think my wife would attest to this and most of the people who know me. However, do you know people who have no grasp on reality? Oddly enough - are most of these people co-workers or family? For me, I won't get too specific although no one reads my secret blog anyway.
I know an individual (that sounds safe enough) who has complete detachment from reality. She (uh oh, I am losing vagueness) has been literally brainwashed by her crazy boyfriend. What is with intelligent women and choosing and staying with deadbeat boyfriends? I am sure this will be a topic for another blog another day. Anyway, she believes that her social security number is a satanic government number meant to lead people down to hell.
This is just the beginning. I could go on and on for days. I won't. I don't like talking about people that much even I am not using their name. But, I am blown away by what people will believe with little or no evidence, yet when some things are presented with a lot of evidence - they don't believe.
So, what may be weird that you believe in or do? I have tried to scour my life in order to see what weirdness I may have. Here is a brief list:
1. I have a collection of action figures (a rather large one). Although this hobby is perfectly acceptable among enthusiasts - not too socially acceptable.
2. I enjoy reading comic books. I definitely would take a well written comic series to a tv show.
3. I can quote most of LOTR (you should be able to figure that one out) and Star Wars.
4. Actually, I pretty much fall into most of the categories of Weird Al's White and Nerdy song.
5. I pronounce some words differently. I used to say ungin for onion. I have corrected that one. I am trying to perfect miracle. I tend to want to say mare-icle.
6. Don't get me started on funky medical things I have had (shingles twice, spots, bald spots on my head, moving bald spots on my face, lypomas on back, gall stones, constant cancer sores).
I will stop there as any further mentioning of my weirdness will cause my wife to rethink her marriage choice (only reader of my blog anyway)! Come on, share your weirdness.
I know an individual (that sounds safe enough) who has complete detachment from reality. She (uh oh, I am losing vagueness) has been literally brainwashed by her crazy boyfriend. What is with intelligent women and choosing and staying with deadbeat boyfriends? I am sure this will be a topic for another blog another day. Anyway, she believes that her social security number is a satanic government number meant to lead people down to hell.
This is just the beginning. I could go on and on for days. I won't. I don't like talking about people that much even I am not using their name. But, I am blown away by what people will believe with little or no evidence, yet when some things are presented with a lot of evidence - they don't believe.
So, what may be weird that you believe in or do? I have tried to scour my life in order to see what weirdness I may have. Here is a brief list:
1. I have a collection of action figures (a rather large one). Although this hobby is perfectly acceptable among enthusiasts - not too socially acceptable.
2. I enjoy reading comic books. I definitely would take a well written comic series to a tv show.
3. I can quote most of LOTR (you should be able to figure that one out) and Star Wars.
4. Actually, I pretty much fall into most of the categories of Weird Al's White and Nerdy song.
5. I pronounce some words differently. I used to say ungin for onion. I have corrected that one. I am trying to perfect miracle. I tend to want to say mare-icle.
6. Don't get me started on funky medical things I have had (shingles twice, spots, bald spots on my head, moving bald spots on my face, lypomas on back, gall stones, constant cancer sores).
I will stop there as any further mentioning of my weirdness will cause my wife to rethink her marriage choice (only reader of my blog anyway)! Come on, share your weirdness.
By the way, this is my son, Logan, being himself. I don't know where he gets it??
Friday, September 28, 2007
Big Thoughts in Our Little World
I was driving to work yesterday and the moon was huge. It just sat there in its full glory and looked pretty magnificent. It really hit me how large it really was. Then it hit me how small the moon must be in comparison to the sun. Then I remembered an e-mail I had been sent recently that showed planets represented in size to one another by balls of clay. The earth looked pretty big until the next picture had the size of the sun and then the sun compared to other suns or stars. I was literally lost in space trying to grasp how large the universe is and how small I am.
I was running in the early morning a few days ago and saw the stars more clearly than I had in a long time. I was taken back by how immense the sky and the heavens are. With all of the order in the universe and with this world and others, how could there not be a Great Creator. A Master Painter to these skylines. A skilled artisan who understands the end from the beginning. One who can see the whole of all space and time and is not limited to our finite understanding and vision.
Society thinks to create a great television show is masterful. I say it is shameful when compared to the splendor of morning's glory. Even more insignificant when compared to the great creation of the earth we live on. Now, try and wrap your mind around when all space and time began. Who started it all? Who put the players of our existence in motion and what came before them?
Only when we realize how unintelligent we are do we have a sip of true knowledge. Only when we realize how weak we are do we understand just a little about real strength. Only when we look beyond ourselves do we meet true love. Only when we care for others more than we care for ourselves do we realize who we truly are. And, only when we understand who we truly are will we comprehend how easy it is to destroy. But, to create is divine.
If you don't believe me - bring a child into the world. You will never be closer to God in this life then when you take that newborn child into your arms and you see pure innocence. A new canvas. I only pray I have some strength to be the father, teacher, supporter, and caregiver it takes for my children to understand the greatness from which they come - and, the excellence they can achieve through Jesus Christ.
I was running in the early morning a few days ago and saw the stars more clearly than I had in a long time. I was taken back by how immense the sky and the heavens are. With all of the order in the universe and with this world and others, how could there not be a Great Creator. A Master Painter to these skylines. A skilled artisan who understands the end from the beginning. One who can see the whole of all space and time and is not limited to our finite understanding and vision.
Society thinks to create a great television show is masterful. I say it is shameful when compared to the splendor of morning's glory. Even more insignificant when compared to the great creation of the earth we live on. Now, try and wrap your mind around when all space and time began. Who started it all? Who put the players of our existence in motion and what came before them?
Only when we realize how unintelligent we are do we have a sip of true knowledge. Only when we realize how weak we are do we understand just a little about real strength. Only when we look beyond ourselves do we meet true love. Only when we care for others more than we care for ourselves do we realize who we truly are. And, only when we understand who we truly are will we comprehend how easy it is to destroy. But, to create is divine.
If you don't believe me - bring a child into the world. You will never be closer to God in this life then when you take that newborn child into your arms and you see pure innocence. A new canvas. I only pray I have some strength to be the father, teacher, supporter, and caregiver it takes for my children to understand the greatness from which they come - and, the excellence they can achieve through Jesus Christ.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Choice
There are times in a man's life when he has to make a choice that shapes him and really helps him to become the man he should be. There are times when temptation is so real that your mind says yes so loud you can't hear your heart. Some times choices can ruin you forever....
I had such a choice the other day. I had just gotten out of the shower and went to put on my deoderant and it wasn't there. It all came flooding back to me. Yesterday, I had used the last little bit of my deoderant and threw it in the garbage. I determined to remember to go to Target that evening and buy some new stuff. I had forgotten.
Many things raced through my head at that moment like, "How far away is the garbage I through it in?", and "Could I scrape any more off the applicator if I did find it?" Then, the weirdest thought came to my head. Just use April's (my beautiful wife). She will never know and you may actually smell a little better. Then, I remembered those "PH Balanced for a Woman" commercials and wondered what that meant if men used it.
My head was spinning and I was working on the pros and cons list in my head as fast as I could. Do I take the chance of being smelly like a girl? I could always say my wife must have brushed up against me if anyone could smell it. Doing it only one time wouldn't hurt me. "No one would ever find out" I told myself. I had to make a choice.....to wear the wife's deoderant or to go naturally fresh all day.
Although the temptation was great to succomb to the urges to always wear some sort of deoderant, I wore nothing. I am proud to say I didn't wear women's deoderant that day. I am also glad that even my wife didn't notice. Mark one up for the Jerster.
I had such a choice the other day. I had just gotten out of the shower and went to put on my deoderant and it wasn't there. It all came flooding back to me. Yesterday, I had used the last little bit of my deoderant and threw it in the garbage. I determined to remember to go to Target that evening and buy some new stuff. I had forgotten.
Many things raced through my head at that moment like, "How far away is the garbage I through it in?", and "Could I scrape any more off the applicator if I did find it?" Then, the weirdest thought came to my head. Just use April's (my beautiful wife). She will never know and you may actually smell a little better. Then, I remembered those "PH Balanced for a Woman" commercials and wondered what that meant if men used it.
My head was spinning and I was working on the pros and cons list in my head as fast as I could. Do I take the chance of being smelly like a girl? I could always say my wife must have brushed up against me if anyone could smell it. Doing it only one time wouldn't hurt me. "No one would ever find out" I told myself. I had to make a choice.....to wear the wife's deoderant or to go naturally fresh all day.
Although the temptation was great to succomb to the urges to always wear some sort of deoderant, I wore nothing. I am proud to say I didn't wear women's deoderant that day. I am also glad that even my wife didn't notice. Mark one up for the Jerster.
Snippety-Snip
After several years of paying for cable television - we finally cut it off. Don't get me wrong, we have almost always only had the basic package for some time, but we cut it all off. I haven't missed it one single moment. I found that it was a time sucking vortex - and I don't even watch tv that much. My pitfall would be after the kids go to bed and I just want to unwind and not think a little while before I go to bed. So, I flip on the teli with the intent to watch a show or so before climbing in bed. I watch the first show and then stumble upon a murder mystery special or a documentary. I watch that and then I see something interesting on the news, so I would wait up to see that. Then I would realize I could get all the scores from the day's sports events in just a few minutes. Then it would just be a little longer until Leno and Letterman and I can turn the channel back and forth to get the funniest parts. By the end of these nights (not as often as I might portray it, but enough), it was 1am or so before going to bed and my wife has been asleep on the couch for a couple of hours.
I would be tired the next day and really feeling silly that I had stayed up so late. I would not do it for a few nights and then I would be back. April and I had pretty much finished the New Testament a month ago or so and we started reading the Doctrine and Covenants. We also started reading a great book by Randal Wright called "25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them". We started discussing the media and decided we could live without cable. I canceled the service the next day. Life is great!
I recommend it to everyone. Just do it and see what happens. One of two things will happen. 1. You will notice how great it is and the time you have to do other things that may be more enriching to your life. Or, 2. you can get a great deal coming back to a service on your favorite cable package. I don't think I will ever go back and I am grateful for it.
I would be tired the next day and really feeling silly that I had stayed up so late. I would not do it for a few nights and then I would be back. April and I had pretty much finished the New Testament a month ago or so and we started reading the Doctrine and Covenants. We also started reading a great book by Randal Wright called "25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them". We started discussing the media and decided we could live without cable. I canceled the service the next day. Life is great!
I recommend it to everyone. Just do it and see what happens. One of two things will happen. 1. You will notice how great it is and the time you have to do other things that may be more enriching to your life. Or, 2. you can get a great deal coming back to a service on your favorite cable package. I don't think I will ever go back and I am grateful for it.
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