The Power of Love

It was 1982 when I saw my first concert. It was Journey the Escape tour at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Mark had gotten us tickets. I was not disappointed. My love affair with concerts began. I have seen groups from Aerosmith to ZZ Top and everything in-between. I love the crowd, the music, the bands, the t-shirts and the magic in the air as we hear our favorite songs come to life right before our eyes.

Imagine how extremely happy I was when I visited Washington and Sharon (my half-sister) invited me to go to Huey Lewis and the News at a winery in Washington.

"Heck yeah!"

We went and had a grand time. It is so very fun to see the artist that we loved as kids. They were older and less in tune, however, they sang all the songs that we knew plus more. We sat in the cool grass under the night stars and listened. What could be finer?

When Jaden was born, I was kid-you-not dying. I was bleeding out and the doctor was going in circles with different treatments trying to stabilize me. Mark had to intervene when they attempted to give me blood thinners in hopes that the blood clots would stop.

The doctor sat by my bed and I could see the fear in his eyes. "Are you LDS?" I asked. "Yes, I am." "Then you need to give me a blessing." "I can get someone in here to do it." "Nope. YOU need to."

The LDS religion gives blessings to the sick and the ailing. Priesthood holders gather round, hands are placed on your head and a prayer is given in your behalf.

I had asked my doctor to bless me. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if HE said I would be okay then HE would find the knowledge to make it so. The blessing wasn't for me. It was for him. He just didn't know it.

I was thrown into surgery and seven transfusions later, I'm here and still kicking HARD. All because my doctor found the strength, knowledge and power to make it so.

Last weekend the Adamson family gathered for food and fun. This is my mom's side of the family. How-oh-how do I find the words to express how much I love these people.

Tanna attended the shenanigans with me. We pulled into our parking spot and exited the car in time to  hear my Uncle Phil ringing a bell to gather all. "Yep. We're at the right place. Only the Adamson family would ring a bell to gather the group." Followed by giggles and laughter.

There's something about family reunions, don't you think? I get to see cousins that I knew so well as a child, but haven't seen in FOREVER. It's fun to see them as adults with their own kids running around causing chaos. I can tell who belongs to who because their kids look EXACTLY as I remember my cousins.

I chatted and joked with Aunts and Uncles and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my dear Mom. Dad was at a meeting, so I got some much needed one-on-one time with Mom. My mom is the kindest, sweetest, most loving woman on this planet and I love her dearly. How lucky am I?

Talking (which I love to do) wears me out and after a couple hours of visiting, eating, laughter and games, it was time for me to leave.

I said a few good-byes, however, since my walking SUCKS I didn't make my way around the pavilion to each family member to express my love one more time.

Tanna and I were nearly to my car when my Aunt Jane came running toward me to say goodbye. "Would you like the men to give you a blessing?"

"Yes I would."

The men gathered and my beloved Uncles and cousins placed their hands on my head and gave me a blessing.

I am not saying that I was "healed". (Although, that would be pretty dang cool, wouldn't it?) However, there was power in that prayer. And then I heard loud and clear. "That's the power love."

Force of Spirit

Well. He did it. Jaden turned 17 today. I SWEAR to you I just barely hit "share" on my keyboard blogging a year ago about his cereal bowls. In case you're wondering, not much has changed in that department. In fact, Tanna and Tyson were sharing a good giggle at my expense the other day.

I had just got home from my it-was-so-wonderful-motorcycle vacation.
Tyson: You can sure tell when mom goes somewhere.
Tanna: Yeah. I know what you mean.
Tyson: The cereal cupboard is packed with cereal for Jaden.
They both giggle and laugh and guffaw.

Whatever. I like him best. So there.

Ah. Jaden. Sweet boy of mine. Who knew he would grow to be so tall and such a good-looking young man? Mark absolutely loves when Jaden brings a new girl here.

"Did you see her? Wow! She's a super model".
"Okay Mark, calm down, you're stuck with me"
"Oh yeah"

Thanks so much for the self-esteem boost. I needed it.

I, however, spend my time thinking "Are you a nice girl? Are you going to hurt my son? Don't do stupid I'm-a-16-year-old-imbecile things. Don't do it. Don't do it. DON'T DO IT."

Then they do something stupid and Jaden is left holding his heart. TOTALLY SUCKS.

Jaden has always been a force of spirit. I argued and argued and argued with the doctor that I wasn't pregnant. There is 9 years between Shelby and Jaden and HOW COULD THAT POSSIBLY HAPPEN? I went to the doc for heart problems and came home pregnant. I swear that poor doc does NOT get paid enough to put up with me.

I loved being a young mother. I fit right in with the other kids. I was able to hike and swim and run and fight with glee. This old mother stuff is a bit more difficult now-a-days. I can't run. I can't jump. (even if I could jump I'd pee my pants I'm sure of it - sorry Jaden.)  I rarely yell. Glee comes more often than not when I can get to bed before 10:00 pm.

However, I'm more calm and waaaaaaay more willing to listen and hear and feel and learn.

I am soooooooooooo very grateful that the doc was right. (Don't tell him though)

I just enrolled Jaden in boxing. I know. I know. He could get hurt. But he could rock this out, too. He needs to learn patience and discipline and I think a square arena just might be the answer. My son now boxes. With vigor.

Years ago I made shirts and shorts for the Easter-Bunny-came-to-town gifts. I ponder my projects at least 6 months before go-time. I want them to have meaning and be something each will wear. I watch my family. Take mental notes of successes and accomplishments and conversations. That year I decided that I wanted to "stamp" the article of clothing with an insignia that is unique to our family.  This is what I did:

That's where Jaden fits in. This kid is handsome (no doubt). However, that's not what makes him stand out in a crowd. The kid personifies confidence.  Jaden DOES NOT tolerate bullying of ANYONE. Pick on the smaller kid? You have Jaden to reckon with.

My kid is super smart and after graduation will be a force to reckon with in college or whatever field of work he decides to conquer. Knowing this kid, there will be many.

I remember when Tyson, Zach, Magnum and boys names I have since forgotten played soccer. Mitch (Zach's dad) was the coach. The soccer team took State with a vengeance. After the celebrations were concluded, Tyson hung up his cleats and never played again. "Why? It is SO fun to watch you play." His answer? "I've done everything I can do with it."

Jaden is that way. He studies and watches and becomes his passion. When he has done all he can do? No tears. No squalling. No stomping of feet or gnashing of teeth. He quietly moves on and places his intelligence and dedication in another area.

Jaden turned 17 today. There is so much time left. Time to learn and grow and become. He's got a lifetime left. Jaden's strength will carry him. It will carry his family. It will carry his friends. It will carry me.

Happy birthday, son.

A Woman's Work

Years ago I asked Mark to hang our Christmas lights. Wasn't the brightest thing I've ever done. (No pun intended). Oh my word! He had decided that it would be amazingly-awesome to take the lights and create an outline of the Wasatch Mountains on our rooftop. AND since there were leftover lights it would look "really cool" if he scattered the lights on top of the grass in front of our house. WHAT THE CRAP? Imagine my dismay when the lights were all "hung" and I hear "Come out and see how cool they look". The kids and I hurried outside to view the Christmas miracle. I about lost my lunch right there on the twinkling lights. Adding insult to injury? My beloved stood on the sidewalk and began to sing "Oh Christmas Tree". The kids and I were absolutely-without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt at a loss for words. Astounded. Yes. Yes. Yes, I was.

I never, ever, EVER asked him to hang lights again.

That's when it hit me. He must have done a horrible job so I wouldn't ask for his help again. OHMYGOSH! I'm right. Nobody in their right mind would do Christmas lights like that ON PURPOSE. Right?

The Steel Horse family took to the road again. Sunday found us donning our helmets, leather chaps and jackets and (for me) heated gear. What did I ever do without heated gear? Froze. That's what I did. That dang heated gear is absolutely the best thing EVER invented for I'm-going-to-head-out-on-the-motorcycle wear.

We rode through Castle Valley, Moab, Arches, Monument Valley, the North rim of the Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon before landing on my front stoop.

Last year the gang rode to Glacier National Park via the Tetons and Yellowstone. I blogged about the beauty of the parks and the wonders of God's creation.

This year as I sat on the back of the bike drinking in the views of the flat mountains smattered with boulders balanced on pristine pinnacles and complemented with visible layers of rock and sand, it hit me. God hadn't done this. It was ALL Mother Nature.

I can loosely imagine how that day went. Just as Glacier was God's FINAL creation, the flat-topped-red-rocked desert views had to be his FIRST creation and Mother Nature got left holding the clean-up bag.

"Hey! You need to get busy with that creation stuff."

"I will later"

"No. Now. Here are some materials"

I imagine the flinging of stone and seeds and dirt and sand followed with the words "There. I did it. You happy now?"

Then Mother Nature saw what happened. And it WAS NOT good.

How in the crap was she EVER going to make this mess okay?

She did. She added wind and rain and elements to wipe away the mess and begin formation. In the end? The most beautiful creation came.

Arches and hills and valleys and winding rivers are viewed with wonder. Pinnacles of rock leave you awestruck. Canyons and valleys and crevices as far as the eye can see will leave you speechless with delight. The views are breathtaking and will inevitably leave you marveling in reverence at the beauty of this versatile planet.

We were about half-way through our adventure when Theresa asked "What was your favorite?".  I thought for a minute and answered with a sight that astounded me. Theresa took her turn and the question landed with Jan. I loved her answer. "This. Right here. I love the people we are with." She was right.

We had to cut our trip a bit short. Rick "Rain Cloud" Deason had to be home to fly out for work. Let me embellish on the "Rain Cloud" name. Last year on the Glacier ride, we ran into some rain. Since Rick was in charge and Randy has stated that if Rick is involved it always rains, we hit rain.

We joked about it. We snorted and laughed and shucked and jived.

Randy wasn't kidding.

It rained on us again. Rick has been fired, so NEXT year should be dry. (Sorry, Rick.)

Anyhow, our trip was cut a bit short and it didn't look like we would make it to Bryce Canyon. I was understanding of Rick's dang work stuff, however, I'm a PRINCESS and was a bit disappointed. I've heard over and over again "Bryce is my favorite" and I was looking forward to forming my own opinion.

Oh well. Some other time.

We turned to head home and the turn-off to Bryce loomed ahead. Rain hit. We took cover and when we fired up the bikes and headed towards home? Rick headed towards Bryce. What? I was SOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED.

Rick, Theresa, Jan and Randy had decided to add more time and more miles on their own shoulders in order to give me Bryce. Let me tell you, I wasn't let down not ONE SINGLE BIT.

If you have vacation coming your way, plan a trip to the deserts of Utah and Arizona. View the artistic elegance of Mother Nature and see the world through Her eyes. You won't be disappointed.  I sure wasn't.

Food. Laughter. Stories. Sun. Wind. Wondrous beauty. Friends. Family.

I'm a lucky girl. Right?