Brooks Family History and Genealogy Blog

Reflections of a 92 year old.

I will soon complete my 92nd year on the great planet Earth.   I have seen many unbelievable changes over my life time. I've been sitting watching football and while watching my computer screen saver is randomly putting photos from my files on my monitor.  I become distracted from the game and watch that which is on the monitor.  The above is one such photo.  Some of the photos were taken many years ago when grandchildren and great grandchildren were very young.    I wonder if these descendants of mine want to see and spent time with a grandfather.  As I look at these photos, I feel a longing to see them and hear about their lives.  I have placed my self near my brother in Nevada and for many it is difficult to be together.  I guess that is the reason I'm sponsoring a family get-together in March 2019.  I hope to see each grand child and great grandchild and have a conversation with them.  Maybe such will promote a remembrance.. I wish that I had such an experience when I was growing up.
As Christmas comes to us in a few days, I think of the one that has blessed me with an extended life, i.e. Jesus Christ.  He has answered my prayers and I have found joy in life even though my companion for life and eternity has left me to be alone.  It is difficult to be alone, but my brother and some of my children have taken away the sting of loneliness. The Lord has blessed me with facilities to occupy my time constructively.  I have a wonderful wood working shop in Nevada and a similar one in Utah.  I'm finding a lot of joy and happiness in making gifts for those coming to our family get-together.
I want my descendants to know how much my Savior and Redeemer means to me and how much I rely upon his goodness.  Upon reflection, I have concluded that I was a parent that did not express to my children that need for a close relationship with my Savior.  It was not expressed to my children as they were growing up.  I wanted them to know that the Church was true, I wanted them to go to church and be church oriented, church, church, leaving the Savior and redeemer out of my example in life.  It was a tragic error in my life and very few of my children have survived it.
I have learned so much in the last five years about faith, hope and charity.   The Temple has been a great teacher, my separation from my wonderful wife has been a great teacher.  I have learned that we must follow the Savior in all that we do from our baptism to the Temple.  He wants to save us from our sinful mortal state, but without baptism for the remission of our sins and a desire to repent and try to be more like him in every way until we leave this earth, it will not come about.  Oh how I need Him.
Well so much for a thoughtful evening.  I am so grateful for all my children and their descendants.
RHB 12/22/2018