Happy Thanksgiving
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships. People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways. They can apply it to the past (retrieving positive memories and being thankful for elements of childhood or past blessings). the present (not taking good fortune for granted as it comes), and the future (maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude). Regardless of the inherent or current level of someone's gratitude, it's a quality that individuals can successfully cultivate further.Ways to cultivate gratitude:Write a thank-you note.Thank someone mentally.Keep a gratitude journal.Count your blessings.Pray. Meditate.
In addition to the above suggestions from Harvard Medical school, we can apply counsel from President Russell M. Nelson. "We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world." he said. "By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty and tolerance.
Philip shared some memories and thoughts about my grandmother Cook in his letter last week and I thought it worth sharing with my children and grandchildren:
Maude Osmond Cook lived a life of challenges. In her memoirs, she said, “There were many happy days
and many sorrowful ones.” Although this quote related specifically to family life on a dry farm in
Bothwell, Utah, it applied to her entire life. Her father, George Anson Osmond, died at 46 (when Maude
was about 20) from a tragic accident. He had ascended a ladder to the top of a haystack, but rather than
descending the ladder, he jumped to the roof of a shed. He hit a soft spot in the roof, went through it, hit
a manger, and landed on concrete. He suffered a concussion and fractured ribs, and a splinter pierced his
lungs. He was taken to a hospital in Oregon for care. The family was too poor to be with him. He died,
alone, two months later.
With the birth of my grandmother’s first child Vera, a doctor not of her choosing – and not the one she
had handpicked to be there due to his good reputatation, botched the delivery. Maude suffered the effects
of that the rest of her life.
She and my grandfather, Alonzo Laker Cook – Lon or A.L., moved to Lakota at Bear Lake to be close to his
family. My grandmother never provided details, at least in what I have read, but I deduce she did not get
along with her mother-in-law, my paternal great-grandmother. Maude wrote,
“I did not like the move, but it seemed that it had to be, as A.L.’s mother was so desirous that we
do so.”
There were many more heartaches, but also many successes. She was a published poet – over 80 poems,
a third of which were recompensed. I have always been drawn to her poem, In Retrospect, and
particularly the lines,
If I could number only happy hours,
I should, perhaps, name all that I have known.
These lines mean so much more with an understanding of her wildernesses.
She had a strong testimony of the Gospel, which she would appreciate me sharing.
“If I have had doubts as to the truthfulness of the gospel restored through the Prophet Joseph
Smith, they disappeared long ago, and as I study and learn more my testimony grows and
strengthens. The world of today is filled with hatred and greed, and unbelief. This gospel is a
gospel of love and peace. Love is always stronger than hate and will eventually win, but love
must fill the hearts of all mankind before there can be a lasting peace. It may take a long time,
but somehow it must come and all wrongs be righted. My faith and my testimony did not come
because of miracles, but many miraculous things have come through the years, and both myself
and my children have been healed through the prayers of faith.”
___________________________________________________________
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with most of our family present. We were happy we had been able to visit Elise and her family in Georgia. It was fun spending time with them. Elise left on cruise a few short days after we went home and the other grandma drove from Texas to tend the kids.
Dan and Jieun decided to make a turkey at their home and invite some Korean families to share the holiday. They left for Moab with their friends the day after the holiday. Everyone shared pictures.
Thanksgiving Day
Dan's family had ham instead of the typical American dinner, and added a few Korean dishes. He cooked most of the dinner with a few sides contributed by Jieun and the guests. Dan's ham looks moist and delicious.
 |
Elise spent Thanksgiving Day with seven families from their ward and neighborhood. She didn't host this time, but she did volunteer to do the turkey. I'm glad that all my children not only know how to cook, but they find joy in it, too. |
Unlike the rest of us, Elise and friends were able to enjoy their feast outside. Max, Mav and Bev are on the right.
On the left Catharine, Caitlyn and Adrienne practice for a Christmas number for Caitlyn's ward. On the right Foster shows us how grown up she thinks she is.
 |
| I love that the cousins are such great friends. This is Greta and Avie; |
Caitlyn and Dallin; Cub and Ila
Greta and Ila; Cub and Ollie. Lots of food fixers in the background.
 |
| Zack. |
Greta and Bridget made all these "baby rolls" to share. They were so proud of their accomplishment. On the right: Dallin and Foster.
 |
| Catharine, Nick, Crista and Zack, Matt, Roy, Jennie and Foster |
Dress ups is still a favorite activity at grandma's house. Effie in one of Caitlyn's prom gowns. On the right is Todd with Caitlyn.
 |
| The kids always have room for treats. In this case whipped cream sprayed straight into the mouth. |
A few pictures from Dan and Jieun's trip to Moab
Dojin and Yuli; Hyeji
 |
| Doyeon |
 |
| Dan and Yuli |
Dojin, Yuli, Yuna and Jieun; Hyeji and Yuna
 |
| Yuli |
A few other pictures
Foster was at our house the night before Thanksgiving. Jennie was downstairs doing hair so we put her in the high chair to share our dinner. She ate a few bites before falling fast asleep. A few minutes later Jordan came up and flicked her awake so that she wouldn't be up until midnight.
 |
| Camden |
Cait and Jennie (on left). On right: Nick provided eight children with the adult supervision necessary for them to experience the rare treat of spending time in the hot tub.
 |
| Jennie did our hair the day before thanksgiving. Hopefully no one will blackmail us with this picture. |
I have gratitude for many things; My Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. My wonderful husband (and father of our children). Roy is my best friend, we always have a lot of fun together (he's also the cruise director which is an added blessing in my life). I'm grateful for my children and all 25 grandchildren (#25 arrives in March). And I'm grateful for a physically healthy body; even though both your dad and I are feeling a few age-related aches and pains. Whenever I feel a little bit down or discouraged I remind myself that I have everything! I hope you all took a moment to think of your blessings this holiday. It'd be great to do it formally as a family, but our home is still a bit chaotic when we add all the children to the mix. We'll happily take the chaos when it comes with children that we love.
I'm also thankful for my calling as Gospel Doctrine instructor. When I study intensely for a lesson, I gain so much and have many opportunities to feel the Spirit. The lesson today was on Ether 12-15 (but basically 12). We talked about faith, hope and charity. All of these have to be centered on our Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to anchor ourselves to the Savior and make Him our sure foundation.
Ether 12:4
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
and Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Comments
Post a Comment