The old crow

So, as we embark on this year's winter vacation (as it is called here in Sweden), the rain beat us to it. All the towering masses of snow drain away or turn into flat nothingness. Oh! so much! water and ice!

My husband Jeffrey brought Anïas and Illïus to skate next to our apartment at a small rink side. Almost two hours passed before they came back inside. I was surprised to see the poor state of their skate's blades as I dried them off. Apparently, they had been dodging exposed pavement at every turn.

"It was a pain." stated Anïas "I didn't mind though."

"I'm hungry and tired now!" was all Illïus said with a smile.

"It was fine. If one would skate where one was told!" added Jeffrey with a stern voice.

These two great hours would have been lost if my husband would have listened to me whining about the weather and how late it was. Instead he chose to go skating with the children in this un-wintery weather, because to him, it was perfect timing.

Judging current weather forecasting, that event will most likely be the last spontaneous outdoor skating session for this season.

Anïas, Illïus and Xavier walking to Dad's job.

How I love my husband for being a person of character that takes his feet where his thoughts and desires are. His comment made me think of personal council. How much we can show love and care for people around us if we share a loving council.

President Boyd K. Packer gave some wonderful advice to our 'Youth of today' during a speech in October 2011. If you ask me, it stands for all ages. Young and Old.

"I am now 87 years old. You may wonder, at my age what I can contribute to your lives. I have been where you are and know where you are going. But you have not yet been where I am. I quote a few lines of classic poetry:

The old crow is getting slow.

The young crow is not.

Of what the young crow does not know

The old crow knows a lot.

At knowing things, the old crow is still the young crow’s master.
What does the slow old crow not know? —How to go faster.

The young crow flies above, below, and rings around the slow old crow.

What does the fast young crow not know? —Where to go.

Not Wordsworth but classic poetry nonetheless!"