My Gratitude Lists

The first part of this blog is from my Facebook notes of a year ago. The second part is what I wrote a week ago (but have edited during the week.)

My Gratitude List
by Susan Jackson on Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 10:50am
Here are some of the things I am grateful for. These are the ones I thought of, so I am sure there's more.
1. I am grateful for the peace of mind that I feel in my life. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but its there.
2. I am grateful for faith and hope. There have been so many times in my life that I have had to rely on faith and hope.
3. I am glad that prayers are answered. Sometimes they aren't answered in the way I thought it would be, but my prayers were answered in the way I needed them to be.
4. I am thankful for those who placed in my life for a reason or a season and I am grateful for being placed in other's life for the same.
5. I am thankful for the simple pleasures in life, especially when I seize the moment to enjoy it.
6. I am glad for home to live in, transportation to get around, a job that helps me meet ends and my health.
7. I am grateful for my family. They are wonderful support system.

Taking a Minute to be Grateful.
November 17, 2011
Thanksgiving is next week and I realize I do have a lot to be grateful for. Probably the first to come to mind is the kindness of others. I don’t have a car and yet, people are willing to give me a ride. Sometimes the kindness is just listening to me vent or sharing chocolate. Probably, the second thing I think of is my job. I haven’t had a raise in over 3 years, but yet I am still gainfully employed. I will take no raise over no job any day. Cabin fever gets old fast. And since it has been cold the third thing that comes to mind is the ability to get warm. Sweatshirts, socks, shoes, blankets, the furnace, a warm building, hot chocolate and other things. And who can forget family, the fourth thing that I can think of. My family isn’t perfect, but they are there for me. My brother takes me to the dentist and my sister calls when I post a concern on Facebook. And Facebook bring the fifth on my list. I have hooked up with quite a few friends from high school, old roommates, former co-workers and extended family too. And with, the sixth thing comes to mind, friends, especially close friends who are like family. The Pughs have blessed my life greatly. And there are friends at work who care about me. Even the bus drivers take the time to care. And I am grateful for my beliefs, which brings the list to No. 7. My beliefs give me an anchor in my life; somehow it makes sense and my beliefs give the ability to exercise faith. As end with the eighth item, I think of a younger Jared. When I asked him years ago what he was grateful, he said his life. I was surprised by his answer, but he was right. Being grateful for your life says a lot. My life probably hasn’t turned out exactly the way I wished it had, but it has good nevertheless. I have been blessed through out my life and for that I am grateful.

GRADITUDE LIST FROM 2007-10

A few years, okay four years after teaching some Sunbeams (3-4 years olds at church), I decided to keep a running list of graditude and not wait until Thanksgiving to do it. As you tell by the list, I kept up with the list quite well, but as time went on - well, I got distracted by life. But since it is November and Thanksgiving is this week, I thought I would share the list that I have forgotten. (Its been over a year since I last updated the list.)

June 3, 2007
I am thankful for my ears. I can hear the car when it has problems with the battery. My ears also hold up my glasses so I can see.
I am thankful for my nose. I can smell things when something is wrong.
I am thankful for my eyes. I can see to read, drive and enjoy the beauty around me.
I am grateful for vans. They provide shade for my car on a hot day.
I am glad there are bus stops by my home; I can still get to work.
I am thankful for my feet, I can go places when I can’t or don’t want to use the car.
I am grateful for my free bus pass from the University. It saves me money, plus wear and tear on my car.
I am grateful for small pleasures. Chocolate cookies and other small pleasures help me seize the moment.

June 17, 2007
I am glad that my Dad still loves and cares for me. I sense his presence when I need him the most.
I am grateful for shelter, especially when it is extreme weather. Protection from the hot in the summer and protection from the cold in the winter.
I am thankful for my family. They are the best support system a person could ask for.
I am thankful for my friends, the Pughs. They are also the best support system a person could ask for.
I am glad that prayers get answered, even when it isn’t what I expected.

June 18, 2007
I am glad for service projects. It gives me that warm fuzzy feeling and it is helping someone out who needs it.

June 30, 2007
I am grateful for those who listen to the spirit. Tracina listened and she and the baby are alive.

July 8, 2007
I am grateful for my pioneer ancestors who never gave up, especially those in the Willie and Martin Handcart companies. Who would I be today?

October 26, 2007
I am glad for weekends. It is nice to have breaks from the mundane work week and the rat race. I am glad for five o’clock. It signals a change of scenery during the week.

November 11, 2007
I am grateful for water. It quenches my thirst, it is cleans me, it helps conquer drought conditions, it soothes me, it helps me cook, it puts out fires, it comforts me when sick, it refreshes me after a rainstorm, it washes my car.
I am glad for newspaper. They keep me informed and enlightened.
I am grateful for books. I can visit the world without leaving my home. I can learn to cope through other people struggles.
I am glad for photos that my family sends to me. I can keep up on the changes that happen to family members.
I am thankful for the friendships I enjoy; those at church, work, school, the neighborhood, the bus, family, relatives, where I do business and chance meetings.
I am grateful for examples. Those who set examples guide me in the right direction and are a good support system.

November 18, 2007
I am grateful for the University of Utah. Not only has it provided me an education, but thru the services available, I have found housing and jobs. I met people who have touched my life. It also provides me with opportunities to serve. There are payroll deducts to Road Home and there’s the Holy War.

September 30, 2008
I am glad that I was let go from Blue Cross when I was. If I was leaving with the rest of my department in December, I would be facing a worse economy. I have a job at the University of Utah and while it doesn’t pay what Blue Cross, I am working.

November 23, 2008
I am thankful for my family and friends. They are my support group. They love me regardless.
I am glad I have a job. The economy has gone south and I get quite a few calls from borrowers who need an unemployment deferment on their Perkins loans.
I am grateful for text messaging, Facebook and instant messaging. They are about the only ways to keep in contact with a teenager or young adult.

November 27, 2008
I am grateful for the things I have. I have what I need.
I am grateful for the simple pleasure of life. Smiles, a piece of dark chocolate, a text message are just a few of the simple pleasures I enjoy.
I am grateful for the kindness of others. A free computer, a roof over my head, etc.
I am glad that Crystal cheers for BYU. It has made the rivalry fun for me again.

July 25, 2009
I am glad for TV. I got to watch the parade on TV instead of getting sunburn watching it.
I am glad for UTA, it gets me around.
I am grateful for reusable grocery bags. They are so kinder to the fingers than plastic bags.

Aug 8, 2009
I am so glad for family. I enjoy their visits.

November 29, 2009
I am grateful for kindness.
I am grateful for my sight and for being able to see sunlight with impaired vision.

December 23, 2009
I am glad for friends who invite us into their homes and for former sunbeams who remember me.

February 8, 2010
I am grateful for those who have passed thru my life.

March 14, 2010
I am glad that the world is small. It is nice to go somewhere and someone you know, knows the same person.
I am grateful for friends and family.

August 15, 2010
I am grateful for those who give me a lift when I need to go somewhere.
I am glad I had the opportunity to drive last week.

Rake & Bag – Another Day of Service

Our ward finally did their day of service as President Erying of the First Presidency asked us to do in April 2011 General Conference. Brother Hamilton, a counselor in the bishopric said, “We were waiting for the leaves to fall.” Our ward leadership decided that the senior citizens of the ward would be served. After many years of serving; it was payback time. There were 2 two hour shifts that ward members could sign up for. Jay signed up for the 10am session and I tagged along. We walked to the house we were assigned. Jay, another man and I helped put Sister Neilson’s lights up. When the people who raking & bagging leaves at a previous house came, we started raking and bagging leaves on her lawn and the house east of hers. When we finished there, our group did her neighbors to the west. Their names weren’t on the list, but they were most grateful to us. They have bad backs and were not able to rake the leaves. Before we were done raking and bagging leaves, Sister Neilson made breadsticks for those who helped. They were The Bomb. Even the youngest boy there ate an armful. I guess his eyes were bigger than his stomach. He reminded me of a much younger Jay, who would always dish up more food than he could eat. I was glad that some parents brought their sons with them. They got teach the value of service thru example. Even though the little boy played in the leaves, he also helped out and experienced an act of kindness and learned the value of work. There is always a reward, even if it isn’t Holladay’s best breadsticks.

Halloween Memories

Part I
Trick or Treat. But I probably said something like “Trickrtreat” and my brother, Steven and I may added “smell my feet; give me something nice to eat.” I am not sure our older brother, John dared us or if he bragged that was what he was going to say. If anyone of us did, I would not be surprised if the neighbor who answered the door rolled their eyes. I don’t remember going to many houses, so I usually came home with small loot. Living out in the country, we drove to the other farmers’ houses for our trick or treating. I never remember going into Paul or even Rupert or the big city of Burley, Idaho.
And I don’t remember my mom buying us store bought costumes, (hey, farming is risky business) so I had to use my imagination or my mom’s. I am sure she came with my first few costumes, but later I had to come up with my own. I may have dressed up as a hippie once since it was the sixties when I did most of trick or treating. Once, probably 4th or 5th grade, I dressed up as a bride. I don’t remember if I wore a white dress or not, but I used a fancy lacy double layered white half-slip as the veil. (Now, my niece, Tracina, knows why her toddler wore undies on her head once. Bella got the idea from me.). I vaguely remember some smart aleck male classmate making a comment about wearing a slip on your head. At the time I was mortified by the comment, but now I have to laugh. Hopefully, my young nieces have more class than I did. But at least I was creative and thought outside the box. Do I regret not ever having a store bought costume? No. I doubt I would have much, if any memories of my childhood Halloween adventures.

Part II
It wasn’t until after attending Ricks College and moving back to Salt Lake that I started to get in the spirit of Halloween again. I probably walked down to 4th South and 9th East to Safeway’s and bought a bag of candy. I probably had to buy a second bag because I ate the first bag before Halloween night. There were a few knocks on the door, which was a surprise because I lived in a 20 plus unit apartment building and went to a singles student ward at the Institute of Religion. The neighbors along 6th South did not know me. Even when I moved to the Avenues, I would get one or two groups of trick or treaters. After I finished at Utah, I moved south and lived at the Cherry Hill Apartments, a four building complex. Since I would take my adopted nephews trick or treating, I would leave a small or medium sized basket outside my door. When I came back, the empty basket would be waiting for me. I don’t how many trick or treaters came to my door or if it was just the neighbor children at the end of my building. When my brothers and I lived at Woodside, some neighbor children would always managed to knock on the door. One year Jay left the porch light off and no one came. I gave him grief. Since moving to our condo, no one, not even ward members with children, knock on the door. Most people now Trunk or Treat in the ward parking lot or take their little ones to neighbors who live in single unit housing. Apartments and condo complexes have the reputation of being occupied with strangers. I quit buying multiple bags of candy (except for maybe the office). Last year, Jay walked to FreshMarket and bought a bag of Tootsie Pops and Rolls. No one came, but we enjoyed the leftovers.

Part III
In my last semester at Utah, I began the tradition of taking my adopted nephews, the Pugh Brothers, trick or treating in their neighborhood. My first time included Steven, Kevin and two year old Darren. Steven took me on a whirlwind tour of the neighborhood. I swear he took us down one street twice, those neighbors looked mighty familiar. In fact one of them said something about seeing us before. Needless to say, I was worn out when we got back to the house. I was convinced Steven tried to break a world record. Kevin was able to keep with Steven, but I was challenged. I was carrying Darren, a heavy toddler. While Darren was silent most of the night, Kevin knew to say “Trick or Treat” when a neighbor presented a bowl of candy. But Darren wasn’t clueless when he got home. He had a look of pure delight while enjoying the fruits (candy) of his first loot. Steven probably stashed his loot in his room after enjoying a good share of his loot. Kevin probably did the same. I can’t remember if this was the only year that Steven went trick or treating with me. Mark joined Kevin and Darren after a year or two. And Jared and Crystal were probably 15 months old when they went Trick or Treating their first times. Not sure if either made it to the Jensen’s or not. I think Val was disappointed that she did not get to see Baby Batboy or the small scarecrow girl. Both only lasted 2 or 3 houses before they wanted their mom. Val would always give me a treat when I brought the Pugh children around. After awhile it was just Crystal and her best friend forever, Whitney that would go with me. When I moved to the condo, Crystal was providing her own Halloween entertainment. She like her brothers outgrew me. (When Johnny Jensen, the Pugh neighbor saw Whitney and Crystal in the above costumes, he kept telling them that he was going to eat them. By the end of the the everning I was calling them Chicken Soup and Rabbit Stew.) But I still have fond memories of trick or treating with the Pugh children. One year, Darren was sick, so I took a plastic sack and got him some treats. When we got home, David came home with another bag of candy for Darren. Between the two of us, Darren hit the mother lode. One year, Mark and Jared, (and maybe Darren) went to Fashion Place Mall after we went thru the neighborhood. I wasn’t too impressed with the penny candy we got and the long lines, so that tradition ended. We may have tried a different mall next year or tried it at an earlier time. As the years went by, there was less children trick or treating in the Pugh’s and my neighborhoods. Most likely, the neighborhoods were growing up and maybe it’s the annual Trunk and Treat that gets more popular as times goes by.

Partners in Crime

I wrote this at the end of August. My friend, Jared had just returned from his mission and I was at his home after his homecoming. When Jared's brother, Mark stuck his camera into thier sister's, Crystal's room, I was reminded of my younger brother and sister, Jay and Laura, who were partners in crime growing up. So here is what I wrote over a month ago.

In my book, Partners in Crime are siblings and the youngest two of a family. They are proclaim innocence to outside world, but older family members know not to completely trust them, because they are usually up to something together.
The first Partners in Crime I knew were my younger siblings, Jay and Laura. Growing up on a farm, we had to provide our own entertainment and this was before computer, internet and digital were words. During the evening Sacrament Meeting, both would make a fuss to earn a trip to the local drive-in next door. Eventually Mom caught on and made them sit tight in the foyer. I remember banging on the wall outside my bedroom during an early Saturday morning. Those two did NOT allow me to sleep in. Once, Jay and Laura kidnapped the camera and took pictures. My mother was not happy when the pictures were developed and she found pictures of the barnyard and Postal, the cat walking the fence of a corral. Jay and Laura got caught on camera snitching punch from the kitchen during our grandparents 50th anniversary celebration, which was at the church in Manassa, Colorado. While Jay finished high school and served his mission in Mississippi, Laura attended BYU. She went summers and graduated just before Jay started there in the fall of 1987. It probably helped that Laura moved with her husband to Connecticut right after her marriage. I think the State of Utah was relieved.

I have known Crystal and Jared since their births. Growing up, the two youngest Pughs had a typical sibling relationship. They got each other in trouble, but were also there for each other, even though they are four years apart. Jared would give Crystal rabbit ears in some pictures and Crystal made Jared wish he had a little brother instead of a little sister. It wasn’t until Jared’s homecoming that realized these two might be partners in crime when Mark put his smart phone just inside Crystal’s door. Jared was lying on Crystal’s bed getting a pedicure. Made me wonder what those two did to each other again.

Why I Blog

When I started this blog, I thought it was to share stories of growing up. I realize as I continue blogging that maybe it isn't so much memories I share, but sometimes every day life. The OJ story wasn't a memory, but an incident that made me laugh. Some of the posts I've shared lately have made me wonder why I decided to blog. I am single, never married or had children. Sometimes I get the impression that those who have children and/or are married may think I have no life. Maybe I am blogging so those who may think that a person in my situation does have a life. I don't just work; I am apart of family. I am adopted by a family in Midvale. Not sure if Jared and his siblings think of me as an aunt or just an adopted family member. And I must admit the title of my blog can be seen as blog for singles, which it isn't. I'm not promoting a singleness or searching for my soul mate on my blog. I'm just sharing my stories, whether it from a memory of days gone by or some current event. Well, I guess I am doing as I planned in the start - sharing my stories from life on a single road; a road that I share with others who have touched or are touching my life.

His Greatest Race

During the 1990’s, Jay usually ran the St. George Marathon the first weekend in October. At first it was just Jay and I, but soon John joined us in our trips south. Even Mom flew down a time or two on Skywest. The last few years we spend Friday at Mom’s cousins, Bill and Jan Boice.
October 2001 wasn’t any different than the years before. We drove down, ate at either a Wendy’s or a McDonald’s on the way and first stop once we got to St. George was to stop at the Dixie Center and pick up Jay’s race packet. While we were there, we would check out the other booths, especially those with samples. Then we ate spaghetti dinner at the Dixie Center before heading to the Boices for the night.
Since it was right after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there was a booth for runners to sign up to run in behalf of those perished in the attacks. Most runners didn’t know one personally, so they ran for whoever was available. Dave Rasmussen, a co-worker from General Ledger, ran in behalf of some guy he never knew. Since Jay had met Eugene, Tracie's good friend, he asked for his name. Eugene was available and Jay was able to pin Eugene Whelan’s name to his bib.
Jay as usual, got up and met the bus at the park where the finish line was. When I dropped him off, it was quiet and dark, just the runners waiting for the next bus to take them to the starting line. At the usual time, the rest of us drove to the park and waited and waited. We began to worried because Jay’s time were usually under 4 hours. Jay had been complaining about his knees a bit and had not trained as he had in the past, so we checked the injured list. No Jay. Finally at 4 plus hours, Jay crossed the finish line. His knees were bothering him quite a bit, so he stopped for a break with the intention of dropping out of the race. But then after a short rest, he decided to continue. I don’t know if it was Eugene, the newest angel we knew of at the time, persuaded Jay to finish the race or if the rest gave Jay a second wind. Jay also mention that he had never quit a race before, so despite the pain, he gained courage and preserved. It was his worst time, but his greatest race. Jay had every reason to quit, but he endured to the end.

the lunchbox

I ride Trax every week night; that now I recognize the regulars and where they get on. Monday, I was buying a card for my sister at the campus store. One of the regulars spotted me and joked with me about who they let shop there. On Wednesday, he was at his usual seat and I was sitting accross from him. When we came to the stop before mine, he got off suddenly. As he left, his lunchbox fell to the floor, but he didn't noticed it. So I picked it up; I knew where he worked and I figured I could get it to him sooner than if he went to UTA's lost and found. A passenger and a UTA employee both told me to leave it on the train and the driver would do a search and take the lunchbox to UTA's lost and found the next day. From previous experience, I knew it wouldn't get to the lost and found until a day or two later. The driver probably drops any lost items at the bus warehouse somewhere in the middle of Salt Lake County. Then a runner or whoever brings it to the lost and found downtown.
So I took the lunchbox home, being mindful of it on my way home. I really didn't want to complicate things worse by leaving it on a UTA bus. So Thursday morning, I packed in a shopping bag with my book and whatever junk I may need for the day. As soon as the campus store opened, I took the lunchbox over. I delivered it thier information desk (or whatever it is called) by the in store post office. I gave to it a long time employee that I recognized. I told her the guy worked in the back, but I didn't know his name. Gave her a not so good description of him and she said she would put in the back.
When I got on Trax tonight, the guy came up behind and said thanks for returning it. He didn't miss it until morning and thought he had left it in his truck. It was a nice surprise to find it at his station when he arrived to work this morning. I was so grateful he got his lunchbox back. And I was glad I knew where he worked. Who knows what adventures that lunchbox would have had.

9/11 - 2001

10 years ago in late August, I went to the Salt Lake International Airport to see my Mom during a lay over. She flew in from Twin Falls and was heading to Seattle, where I would be going in a few days. For some reason, I felt I needed to be there. We chatted a bit as we sat near the gate and I left before her flight was called. It wasn't until two or three weeks later that I realized why I felt the urgency to visit her at the airport.**
On September 11th, I woke up and did the usual. Drank my orange juice, got dressed and went to the Cottonwood Mall to get my walk in before work. It was looking to be a nice September day. As I made my last walk thru the food court, the TV was broadcasting "Breaking News". I really didn't think much of it, because it seemed as if there was always "Breaking News" on CNN. I remember one of retirees, a regular mall walker, saying something about the current broadcast. But what was happening didn't hit me until I was driving to work. As usual, I had my radio tuned in B98.7fm and Brady and (can't remember his name) were talking about the planes attacking the Twin Towers in New York. When I got to work, I found out that a plane had also flown into the Pentagon. There was no way I would be able to hide in my selfish little world with this; the tragedy was too big to ignore.

Throughout the morning I listened to B98.7 as Brady and her co-anchor kept us informed. They stayed on the air for most of the day informing us of the events as they unfolded; when South and North towers collapsed, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania and even when tower 7 collapsed. During lunch, CNN kept me and my friends informed. Kristen and I emailed each other during the day, sharing our thoughts and keeping each other informed. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done, but neither did anyone else. Blue Cross granted those who had children permission to leave for the day to pick up their children from school. I think Peggy was the only one from our department who left early, maybe Dawn left early too.
During the day, I kept thinking I knew of someone who perished at the towers. My cousin, Chris Boice was a pilot for American Airlines, so that might have been the reason for that feeling. When I talked to my mom that night, she informed me that Chris was in St. George with his parents. He either had a day off or was vacation. I was grateful he was okay, but I still could not shake the feeling that there was someone I knew.
A few days later, my sister Mary told me that my niece, Tracie lost a friend in New York. Eugene was a New York Firefighter who responded to the call of duty after his shift was over. Tracie and Eugene met in New York while she was a nanny. He followed her Portland while he waited for an opening in New York Fire Department. Eugene got the call; he left right away from Oregon. Tracie met Chris (not my cousin) and both started a family. I made an braided ankle bracelet of yard. I wore it for Eugene; the only time I would take it off was when I showered. It went to work, bed, walking, shopping, and even St. George with me. When Eugene's body was found, then I would remove it. I had heard that when a police officer or firefighter's body was found, a moment of silence occurred after an American flag was draped over his body. I never did receive word if or when his body was found, but I took it off in mid December. Somehow I sensed there was a closure and I pasted the bracelet in my journal. Eugene was at peace and we as citizens will always remember him and the others who vanished that September morning.

I read about this pin in The Salt Lake Tribune, bought it at the Olympic Store in Cottonwood Mall. I ordered this pin from Salt Lake Olympic Committee website. I received this on September 11, 2002. Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. As we came in the door, each employee was given a pin. This statue honoring Firefighters who died September 11, 2001 is at the Belmont Firehouse in Portland OR area. Tracie, my niece was a part of the effort to create this memorial that was unveiled in 2005.

**After 9-11 attacks, security at the airport got tighter. Before 9-11, family and friends could meet with passengers at the gate. Now only people with tickets are allowed beyond the security check point.