Page 9 – Tribute Journal

Young, Old…Just Words!

Much like my father, who was always very young looking for his age, my husband defies his age and pushes himself to prove that age truly is just a number!

“Oh, the joys of wild living!” Robert Browning

My family has lived up to our last name of Wilding, by doing some wild and crazy things sometimes! They run and compete and do their best to live very active and eventful lives! We are looking forward to being able to see our daughter, Mandi, fulfill her dream of running in the NYC marathon this coming November!

I am not competitive in the same ways that my family is, but there are many options available to define how we can stay young at heart–no matter our age!

This weekend we give a great big shout out to our son-in-law, Shane, who will compete in the “LOTOJA” –a 200+ mile bike race that goes from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

My husband and I get the chance to keep our hearts really young by being able to tend our cute granddaughters while our daughter, Malia, acts as Shane’s support crew on his bike race! The “Sleepover” edition of our “Cinderella Days” will be coming up!

What I’m learning now is…

My father always seemed to enjoy good health! Even after being diagnosed with leukemia at 88 years young, he suffered very few symptoms of the disease.

“The enjoyment of life at any age is diminished by poor health. My life has proved the wisdom of using good judgment and moderation in this area of life!”

from the history of Leroy Jorgensen

What I’m learning now is that everyone defines “living life to the fullest” and “staying young at heart” in various, assorted ways! Obviously, being a nurse, I feel strongly that it’s important to follow the rules of good health! When we take control of our lifestyles and live healthy, it’s more likely that we’ll live a full and active life…LONGER!

How do you keep “young at heart” as you get older?

–Mary

Laboring On Labor Day…Or Not!

Laboring On Labor Day…Or Not!

“…but let’s not work all Labor Day weekend!” I probably sounded a little like a whiny child when I uttered those words (and a few others) to my husband as we once again worked in our yard to slowly restore some semblance of order after the summer long construction mess! Yes, I will admit I was feeling a bit of the martyr syndrome, since we really hadn’t been able to get away on a vacation this summer due to all the “projects” going on around our home! (Lounging by the infinity pools in Puerto Vallarta seemed like eons ago!) Besides, I grew up with a father who among other things, taught me to live my life with “moderation in all things” and it seemed that these outdoor jobs, although necessary and desired, were taking up much more than their fair share of our time and energy!

The unseasonably hot, end of summer heat even started to get to my husband, (along with my woeful bantering, I’m sure…) so today, Labor Day, we shirked the million and one things we could have done to “labor” around our home and headed up to the much cooler, beautiful mountain resort town of Park City, a short drive from our home!

At lunch, when we stopped to get a bite to eat at one of our favorite spots, the clever phrase on the t-shirt of one of the servers caught my eye! The simple yet profound message, not only made me chuckle to myself, but jarred my senses a little! I live nearby some of the most beautiful places in our country, and many people travel a from a long ways away sometimes to come and vacation here!

Here’s a glimpse into my Labor Day epiphany!

Even before my insightful lunch, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the cotton candy skies during an early morning walk!

We enjoyed a short honeymoon in Park City on a long President’s Day weekend during college! The eclectic quaintness of the Historic Main Street in Park City is still pretty much the same as it was years ago, despite the fact that homes and businesses heavily populate the areas all around it. It’s always such a treat to go back and wander through the fun shops there!

The historic Park City barn was once a dairy farm, but later the citizens of Park City purchased it to maintain the integrity of the entry corridor into Park City. It’s one of my most favorite sites!

Many of the small, vintage homes and lovely gardens are like taking a step back in time!

The flowers and foliage are so vibrant in the mountain air!

The amazing mountainside views almost leave you breathless!

What I’m learning now is…

My father stated in his history that he always loved to travel and see what was on the other side of the hill or mountain, so to speak, but he loved the beautiful mountain range that encompassed the valley where he lived and raised his family the most! What I’m learning now is that although I love to travel like my dad did, I do find I am the most happy when I’m at home surrounded by loved ones–even when there is work to be done!

The beautiful view of the trees and mountains I see when I look out my back door…

…and yes, the tools and yard work are still there waiting!

Do you have any Labor Day traditions? What are some of the neat things you do around your hometown? I’d also love to hear how you best balance your time at home between work and play!

–Mary

Cinderella Days! Free Spirits!

Cinderella Days! Free Spirits!

My granddaughters greeted me this past Tuesday morning with their usual exuberance, and after their mom gave me a couple of quick instructions before leaving for an early morning meeting, Makena couldn’t wait to tell me that she was going to be trying out a new gymnastics class the next day! (Makena’s pronunciation of the word is more like “gi-NAS-tics”! I can’t help but laugh every time she said it! It’s too cute!) It’s been so exciting to watch Makena anticipate all the fun, new changes in her little five-year old life! I know it’s bittersweet for her parents, but Makena’s absolute delight in being able to go participate in these activities is a joy to watch and it makes me wish I could be more courageous in trying new things!

Makena knew her request to practice her summer-salts and hand-stands could be easily accommodated on this particular “Cinderella Day”, since one of hers and Marli’s favorite things to do lately came about by sheer coincidence! After my husband had attended a scout camp one weekend earlier this summer, he left his sleeping bag and foam pad in our garage to air out for a few days before putting them away. When Makena and Marli came to be tended a day or two later, they quickly spied the big foam pad and were both very eager to try their “gi-NAS-tic” skills out on it! Thus, began the love affair these two, cute girls have with this free-spirited activity! More often than not, items found around our homes that are inexpensive and very simple, are the things that end up providing children with many hours of pure, unadulterated bliss!

At this age, their “free spirits” seem to defy gravity! My camera tried hard to keep up!

Each time she started down the mat, Makena would say, “Watch me, grandma! I can do this so good! Why is it, I wonder, that we sometimes lose this ability to really believe in ourselves?

It truly seems to be a state of pure, free-spirited bliss!

Free spirited, Marli! www.mytributejournal.com

I think we might all feel better if we explored our inner “free spirits” more!

What simple, ordinary things do your kids or grandchildren find fun to play with?

Also…

Congratulations to Makena, who started her first official day of kindergarten today! As you can see by the huge smile on her face, she was so excited!

Seems like yesterday when I was taking her mom to kindergarten!

Knowing that Makena would be starting kindergarten this week, my son-in-law, Cole, sent me this link to a funny YouTube clip on how children responded to questions about their first day of kindergarten…I asked Makena a few of the same questions:

What did you do in kindergarten today?

“Ummmm, I played on the new playground…and oh, I learned stuff and got to put my book bag in a cubby!”

Did you make any friends?

“Well, I played with a lot of kids on the playground!” After some prompting from my daughter, she said, “Uhhh, I have a new friend at my table named, Claire!”

Are you excited to go again tomorrow?

“Yes, but I have to help my mom do a lot of papers by tomorrow!” (My daughter can definitely vouch for that! Ha!)