Legacy of Living Well – Page 13

Living And Living Well!

There’s A Difference Between Living and Living Well!

I grew up in a relatively small town where Levis and cowboy boots were common attire around town and country music was always playing at the main street drug store. While I didn’t have any aversion to this style when I was growing up, I just always thought of myself as more the bell bottoms, go-go boots type! (There’s a time warp for you!)

Just think of the full circle moment I had when I started dating my husband, and he picked me up in a new pair of Levis and freshly polished Tony Lama cowboy boots! I’ll enhance this little flashback moment for you even more when I tell you that he had a green, short-bed, GMC pick-up truck and George Strait was cranked up on the radio! (I was in college by then, and in my mind, was very much a city girl–didn’t this guy see that?) This story gets even better when you imagine that as we drove down the road, without hesitation or embarrassment, my future husband started singing along to the lyrics of George Strait’s song, “Living and Living Well”! After I took a few moments to regain my composure, I actually started listening to the words of the song, (I mean really, what choice did I have?) and can honestly say that if I had to pick a song that defines what I’ve really wanted to make my life about–this would be it…and yes, my husband still sings along with this song today!

We went to George Strait’s farewell concert his year, and he sang, “Living and Living Well” as one of his closing songs; this “city girl” had tears in her eyes! Here’s a few words from the chorus:

There’s a difference in

Living and living well.

You can’t have it all,

All by yourself.

Something’s always missing

‘Til you share it with someone else–

There’s a difference in living and living well!

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Living And Living Well And Other Words To Live By…Or At Least Think About!

Like many people, I like to have framed, inspirational quotes and thoughts placed here and there throughout my home, hoping that at the very least as I glance at them each day, perhaps by the sheer process of osmosis, I’ll be more inclined to really apply them in my life!

This is a stack of note pads I have on my desk. I often see various forms of these same types of words at many boutique stores. While working at my desk paying bills or doing other paper work, I can’t help but wonder if I’m really applying these words in my life!

One of my favorite things to give and get for gifts are inspirational books. These are the ones on my family room table now. Often, at the end of a busy day, I’ll plop down on the sofa nearby, put my feet up, and glance through one of these books–or maybe even read a chapter or two. I’ll be honest though, depending on the day, my spirit is either energized as I enjoy my reading, or I’m given a firm reminder of what’s really important in life…and I try to do better the next day!

A Few Other Reminders Of How To Live Well!

Who doesn’t need a reminder to not complicate things too much in our lives! I know this is one I always have to work on!

If my husband and I were to pick a motto we’ve tried to teach our children, this would be it! I stitched this for my oldest daughter, Malia, for her 16th birthday. As much as teenage years can be a time of self pre-occupation, we always wanted to remind our family that it’s always good to define our lives by trying to “Make a Difference” in other’s lives!

The saying on this plague has been the one that has really hit my heart lately! We face change and fears in every stage of our lives, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t need a calm reminder to take a breath and be happy for the possibilities that each day and change brings with it. The very thought of approaching the world of social media at my age so that I can accomplish my dream, all too often leaves me breathless!

**Stay tuned, one my most favorite quotes is coming a little later this week in a FREE DOWNLOAD for you to print off and place in a frame for your home! (It’s being designed by my friend, Maggie Rees, at Pintura Art Gallery, who did this Valentine’s Day stationary too!) If you want to comment about your favorite thought or quote or “like” this on Facebook, I’ll send it to you in one of my favorite “Etsy” frames!

What I’m learning now is…

The plague above sits on my kitchen counter, and as I grab a piece of toast and some juice each morning before I run out the door to work, or anticipate the arrival of my precious granddaughters, I realize that I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that are mine. What I’m learning now is that so much of my life would not be possible without the love and support of dear family and friends, who help me realize that having a wide open heart is the best way to live well!

I’d love to hear what your favorite inspiring quotes or words are!

–Mary

Happy Anniversary! Things I’ve Learned From My Parent’s Marriage!

Happy Anniversary! Things I’ve Learned From My Parent’s Marriage!

Happy Anniversary card A True Love Story!

My parents were married on June 14, 1946, sixty-seven years ago today! It’s sometimes hard to imagine our parents being young and in love, but when I read about my dad and mom’s courtship, (they even had a cool word for dating back then…)I know I am reading about a true love story!

In each of their personal histories, my parents both share fun glimpses into the beginning stages of their relationship and subsequent engagement and wedding. The genuine friendship and kind regard they had for each other helped to nurture a marriage that lasted over 50 years!

I love the things my mother wrote about the first time she met my father when they were both teaching at the same school.

“I attended the high school faculty party held at the end of the first week of school in Logan Canyon. I met Roy Jorgensen for the first time at this party. (I would later learn that he had already seen me at my graduation the previous spring.) Roy was so good-looking and so much fun, his eligible-bachelor status surprised me. Roy called me a few days later for a date to ride with him over to Bear Lake to get some lumber. My dad was worried we wouldn’t have enough to talk about on the long ride to and from Bear Lake. My dad worried in vain, Roy and I visited very comfortably the whole time! I enjoyed Roy’s company so much that I cancelled several dates during the fall to go with him.”

It’s as equally fun to read my dad’s perspective of this exciting time in my parent’s lives.

“At the time I met the young woman who would later become my wife, I was dating another girl steadily…but there was no magic there for me.”

My dad goes on to tell how heavy rains had shut down the farm work for a week, so he decided to go into town and hear the commencement speech of a literature professor he admired. (My dad was a wild and crazy guy when he had some free time! Ha!)

“I arrived at Old Main Auditorium early and got a good seat on the main floor. A good program followed, including an address by Merle Mecham, a most attractive young lady who represented the graduating class as their valedictorian. I was impressed by her and enjoyed learning that during the upcoming school year she would teach business at South Cache High School, where I also taught. I think the summer was a little brighter because of this experience; although for some reason, I never concerned myself that she might have scads of boyfriends!”

My mom also tells the story of how my dad proposed…

“I went with Roy to a college basketball game in early February…after the game, while we were still in the car, he asked me to marry him. Roy loved to travel and told me he would love to see the ocean breeze blowing through my hair on our honeymoon!”

I have to admit, that was a pretty smooth move on my dad’s part!

My parents were always good to speak kindly of each other–not only in public, but around their children!
Dad vacuumed and mom dusted; dad swept out the garage and mom did the laundry! My parents were a great give-and-take team!
Come ten o’clock, even as our family got older and homework and other activities were still going on, my dad and mom would say good-night and then sneak away to watch the news and talk about their day! I’d often go to their room just to say good-night again; seeing them all cuddled up made everything seem all right with the world!

What I’m learning now is…

Anyone who is married knows that it is a lot of work! What I’m learning now is like any other job or project they did together, my parents made the “work” look fun!

I’d love to hear what your parent’s taught you about marriage or what you’ve learned on your own by being married and working hard at making it great!

–Mary

Celebrating Memorial Day!

Celebrating Memorial Day!

Like many families across America, aside from the BBQ’s and picnics, part of the tradition of celebrating Memorial Day for our family is taking the time to visit the cemetaries and gravesites where loved ones are buried. The colorful flower baskets and small flags fluttering in the breeze commemorating military personnel is a powerful site to behold! As a child, I was intrigued with the unusual names and dates engraved on the headstones. You couldn’t help but wonder about the life of a young girl named, Tillie Athena Tillotson, for example, and how she died at age eleven. My dad always had a deep love for America, and would often share heart-warming stories about his brother and other relatives who had died in the service of this great country. My father’s sentiments recently hit a little closer to home for me, since my son, Jake joined the army as a way to pay for his dental schooling and will now continue his advanced dental training as a captain in the US Army!

My Grandma Mecham expressed very eloquently in the beginning of her life history what I think we should all be feeling as we celebrate Memorial Day!

“To be faithful to ourselves, we must keep our ancestors and posterity within reach and grasp of our thoughts and affections, living in memory and retrospect of the past, and hoping with affection and care for those who are to come after us. We are true to ourselves only when we act with becoming pride for the blood we inherit, and which we are to transmit to those who shall fill our places.”

Whatever you do to celebrate Memorial Day, may you share time with loved ones and be especially grateful for the dedication and service of all those who have paved the way for us to live the wonderful lives we enjoy today!

Is there a particular relative of yours that intrigues you, or one that you seem to share a lot in common with as you’ve heard stories about them?

–Mary

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