Conversation with Noah

Photo by Al Thelin

Conversation after a particularly emotional, fit throwing day with Sofia.  I watched my son try so hard to help her be happy and finally just give up and go play by himself in his room. 

Mom:  Hey, Noah,  I want to tell you that I am really happy how you always try to get along with your sister and play with her.  You are both really lucky to have each other.

Noah:  (in an exasperated tone)  Yeah,  I know,  I just did not realize it was going to be so hard.

Mom:  Do you mean having a sister?

Noah:  Yeah,  It is really hard work

My son learning one of life's most important lessons that relationships take work and are not always easy.  But they are worth it and are what makes life rich. 

Opa Rolf

Rolf Gunther Flurer

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Rolf Gunther Flurer returned to his heavenly home on Friday, December 17th, 2010.  Rolf was born in Köln, Germany on March 12th, 1930 to Josef Friedrich Flurer and Lydia Klein.  He was sealed to his sweetheart, Christel Auguste Flurer in the Salt Lake Temple.  Rolf filled his life with laughter and love for his family.  He was immensely generous with his time, resources and support.  Rolf enjoyed spending time with his family, spoiling his grandkids and great grandkids, gardening, swimming, cooking and camping.

Rolf is survived by his bride, Christel Flurer, his children; Heinz Flurer (Monika), Joe Flurer (Deanne), Judith Wilkins (Larry), Tim Orton (Ruth), 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.



His death was unexpected in that he was not very ill but he was getting older. When I first told Noah about what happened his reaction was "Who killed my Opa?  I will get him".  I kept explaining that no one killed him until finally exasperated he exclaimed "Mom,  I'm playing a game."  He guarded the coffin, patroling back and forth looking for bad guys.  He even checked for bombs around the perimeter and underneath the coffin.  He also helped remind me of what it was about.  I told him that he could talk to Opa and he would still hear him.  And he said "Mom,  I am still talking to him all the time.  He is just in heaven."  

I will never forget Opa's mischievous smile,  his claim that he was always "miserable",  His hilarious comments and jokes.  His flirty ways.  His generous nature and the love and interest he had for all those around him.  We will miss you greatly.  The greatest tribute today at his funeral was after the graveside service all the grandkids did the chicken dance.  I know you approved.  And you are laughing, joking and enjoying the celebration of your arrival on the other side.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that our family relationships go beyond this earth.  We will be together again

Meeting Santa

We were so surprised when Santa came to our ward party.  

This year is so so fun with the magic of Christmas.  My kids are at just the right age.

Noah says it is sad that some people don't believe.

But he assures me that he believes with all of him.  

He raced to the front of the line 

and was the very first kid to see Santa.

I barely got his picture.

He is asking for Legos,

silly bands, and Playmobil.  

He is working really really hard to be good.

And he reminds his sister to be good too.

He figured out the best way for Santa to get into our house

since we don't have a fireplace.  

His mind is much more at ease.

Sofia has a bit less understanding.

But she is getting it down.

She tells everyone that Santa is coming to her house

And that Sanda give her a candy cane.

She wants princesses, silly bands and 

toys, lots and lots of toys. 

Is there a Santa Claus?

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, 

and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. 

Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! 

It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. 

We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. 

The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus!

You might as well not believe in fairies!
Francis P. Church
From the New York Sun, September 21, 1897.

 

I absolutely love this!  

I Believe! Do You?

Busy.... Caroling

My week just got a bit crazier.

Now I have YW gifts to prepare.

A YW lesson for Sunday.

Now I am talking on Sunday.

I have to get my hair colored before Saturday.

I am working on thursday.

I have to get my tooth fixed tomorrow..

Tending my niece on friday.

busy busy busy

I went caroling last night.

With the Young Men and Women in our neighborhood.

It was silly and impromptu.

I will always remember

that while we were singing

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer-

a sweet old lady held onto her husbands arm

and started to cry with joy.

That has never happened when I have caroled before.

That is what Christmas is about.

I am going to remember that for the rest of the week.

Shepherd's Crook

Noah was drawing a candycane.  I asked him if he knew why the candycane was shaped like that.  We went to our Nativity set.  I pulled out the Shepherd's Crook.  We talked about how the Savior is called our Shepherd.  And a shepherd uses his crook to pull in any lost sheep that get lost or run away.  The Savior does not want to lose any of his little lambs.  So he keeps pulling us back to him so that we can be with him forever.  I love how teaching even the simplest things capture kids imaginations and their understanding.  For the next half hour,  Sofia and Noah kept taking turns pulling the sheep and little lambs back to Baby Jesus with the Shepherd crook.  I heard such sweet sayings as "Come back my little lamb", "We don't want to lose you",  "It's better to be closer" and "We love you sheep, say Baa".

Open Hearts

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, 

as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time;

the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, 

when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely,

and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, 

and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 

~Charles Dickens