Thoughts for Thursday

I have been talking to my Leadership classes about different forms of communication and I have found some things very interesting. Most of what I found interesting has to do with written communication - as in - handwritten. My students didn't even think of this one. They listed IM, chat, texting, cell phones, MySpace, Facebook, picture chat, etc - but nope, no good 'ol handwritten communication.

Has this form of communication had it's turn? Is it obsolete? When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? When was the last time you wrote one? I have one friend that I hand-write letters to - he doesn't have email though. I also will send cards with a little hand-written note in it.

I asked my students how many of them enjoyed getting mail and they all rose their hands. I too enjoy getting what I call real mail - not junk or bills - but actual mail.

I also find, at least in my life, that face to face conversation has gone by the wayside. I communicate more with my husband and friends by email, phone, and texting than face to face. I've even fallen into the trap of accidently hurting a friends feelings because she didn't know my text was sarcastic, something that she would've easily been able to tell had we been face to face.

Thoughts For Thursday

I was challenged by a friend to write my thoughts on anything each Thursday - I'll try to keep it up. This is something that has been on my mind - so I'm just going to get it out there.

When my prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, died people complained about the flag being to half-staff. Some people complained saying he was not a head of state or a government official. They are right on both points, he was, however, a very important person not only to the community here in UT, but around the world. The humanitarian aid he provided, through the members of the LDS church, reached throughout the world.

Now, I'm not here to argue if it is illegal or legal. I don't know the rules and regulations and laws of the proper use of the US flag. I know my students who put the flag up were honored to be able to put it at half-staff as an honor to President Hinckley. They did so at the order of our governor.

Here's my thought though - yes, I'm getting to a point. Last week, there was a tragedy at a university in another state. Innocent people died and my heart goes out to them. Honestly. The governor in that state ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff. I don't live in that state and maybe there was this discussion, but did people complain that these innocent people were not government officials or heads of state? Did they openly question the legality of it? Or did they understand that it was an honor a way for those who were mourning to understand there were others out there mourning? To know that they were not alone?

This is what I see the flag at half-staff standing for. A recognition that we are all in something together. That we are not alone. I may not have known Pres Hinckley personally, but I drew comfort in knowing that others were recognizing and honoring him. This, I am sure, is the same comfort I'm sure those who were affected by the tragedy at that school feel. I know that not every influential person who dies or tragedy that happens is going to have the honor of having the flag at half-staff. I doubt when I die I will have this honor, but I hope that when we do see the flag at half-staff we stop to think and honor those who have served us in our lives and touched our life for the better.

I have been told

that I need to update this blog.
Sorry, life has been so hectic. Jenna got RSV and we spent one late night getting x-rays and making sure she didn't have pneumonia. She now has pink eye. Guess she's catching anything that anyone wants to give her.
My life has been pretty busy too. I had to get a new student council picked and trained. I was also in charge of our school's science fair (with the science implementer at our school). I worked almost 10hrs that day - which doesn't seem like a lot, but when I'm allowed 19.5 hrs per week you see how busy I was. We didn't have enough judges come, so thankfully my mom came over and helped. She is the best mom in the world. My little brother, Adam, was the lead judge. He's applying for pharmacy school and he's very smart.
Jason got a new car at the beginning of January. Some call it a pet hearse. It's a Scion XB aka the box car. He loves it and that is all that really matters. It has great gas mileage and wasn't very expensive.

So, here's the short update.
We've had lots of snow and we're expecting more. It's been a wonderful winter. I don't think I've seen the brown grass at all since it started snowing.