Dear Paul, Ben and Sarah, Melanie, Roice, Bridget, and Rob,
cc: file, Grandma Hafen via Tony Hafen, Pauline Nelson via mail,
Sara and Des Penny, Claude and Katherine Warner, and Lloyd
and Luana Warner.
Welcome to "Thoughtlets." This is a weekly review of an idea,
belief, thought, or words that will hopefully be of some benefit
to you, my children, with an electronic copy to on-line extended
family members. Any of you can ask me not to clutter your mail
box at any time.
"One of the basic principles Stephen R. Covey and company teach is to
`start with the end in mind.' This week I have had that thought pounded
into my head. It started on Monday, when I read the President's page
of `The Leading Edge,' one of the Society of Exploration Geophysicist's
professional publications.
I know the past president, Rutt Bridges, reasonable well. He sold his
company, Advanced Geophysical, to Landmark Graphics, just after I left,
and on paper personally made $60 million from the sale at closing (note
that is sixty with a zero after the six). I think it is wonderful, and,
based on how poorly I have handled large amounts of money, I am not even
a little bit jealous. I think this amount of money would have been a
curse to you kids and to me and to our family. In many ways, the couple
of million dollars we had at one time were. And no matter how hard one
tries, you can't take it with you.
The fact we can't take it with us was Rutt's theme for his final
President's page. I am going to quote the entire article for you.
I want to stress Rutt has spent the last two years working full time
for the SEG, receiving no competition. He is really a good guy (even
if he is divorced). His article is titled `My eulogy:'
<![CDATA[ `A final President's Page is supposed to be used to summarize the
accomplishments of the Society over the past year. But I've always
believed that if you follow the rules, you miss all the fun. Since
my Annual Meeting Presidential Address, to be published next month,
pretty much covers this topic, I want to use my final page for a very
different purpose. I hope that you'll humor me in this. Also, if
you're a cleaver reader, you can catch me at various points stealing
quotes from famous people. Please forgive me, but it just doesn't
flow if I have to stop every few sentances to assign credit. Trust
me, this article has a lot of contributors. Thanks are due to Steven
Covey for the basic eulogy theme.
Most of us spend a lot of time planning, setting goals, and thinking
about our careers. At times, it becomes an obsession. It seems to
be our nature that we focus on the future, since life must be lived
forwards. Unfortunately, it can only be understood backwards, if at
all. Therefore, let me propose a somewhat different perspective.
It's widely recognized that one of the most powerful career-planning
techniques is to visualize your goals, and then to figure out how to
reach them. I'd argue that life can be viewed the same way. Think
about what you'd want people to say about you in your eulogy, at your
funeral. Then try to live your life in a way that makes this come true.
It's often been said that people on their deathbeds seldom wish that
they had "only spent a little more time at the office." Yet our
careers are important to us, and part of what we need to be fully
satisfied includes satisfaction in our professions. Carl Jung once
said that to be truly happy in life we need two things: meaningful
work and a soul mate with whom to share our lives. That's not a bad
combination if you can find it.
Without being too morbid, I do feel that the deathbed perspective
isn't a bad way to view one's life. If we are "lucky," we will
eventually reach a point where we will mostly be looking back on our
lives. There is nothing sadder than people who reach the end of life
without being able to feel that their lives had genuine meaning. So
here is my suggestion: take an hour or two out of your hectic life to
write your eulogy. How do you wish to be remembered?
Is it fame and fortune that you seek? If so, are you truly willing to
make the sacrifices in your personal life, and the lives of your loved
ones, required to achieve those goals? Is it worth it? Upon the death
of a very wealthy man, someone once asked, "How much did he leave
behind?" The eloquent answer was, "He left it all."
Some of the happiest people I've known were people who knew how to
live below their means. life isn't just about collecting possessions.
Remember, he who dies with the most toys is nonetheless still dead.
And while the cost of living hasn't seemed to affect it's popularity,
our life does become defined and limited by what we desire. It is far
better to be pulled by goals than be pushed by desires. happiness
doesn't depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we fell
about it.
Thoreau once observed that the unexamined life is not worth living.
Yet how many of us get caught up in the hectic pace of the modern world
and lose sight of the fact that we're writing our own eulogies every
day through how we choose to live? We do regular career planning yet
too often spend little time in values planning. It's not enough just
to claim adherence to some set of moral or religious laws...they must
be made a part of how we live our lives every day. If not, our faith
is a false one, our death will be empty, and our eulogy will be filled
with petty, artificial words.
Don't wait for the last judgement...it comes every day. Look at
everything as if you are seeing it for the first or last time. Remember
that in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the
expert's there are few.
Some of you have aasked what I plan to do now that my term is over, and
I am officially unemployed. I have avoided this question until my job
as SEG President was completed. Now that I'm done, I plan to take time
to find the most meaningful thing I can do with the second half of my
adult life. As part of that exercise, I have prepared this brief
eulogy to share with you. Please know that I have a long way to go
before I can hope to make it come true, both in terms of improving my
own life and hopefully also in living many more years. But it does
represent a set of personally meaningful goals for my life.
"We always knew that he was an important part of our lives, and that
we were an important part of his life. Although he was always busy,
we knew that he had time for us when we needed him. He transferred
his values by example, not lecture, and he wasn't judgmental. He told
stories and asked questions rather than offering advice. He listened
and was easy to talk to, and he made us laugh. He was first and
foremost our friend and helped us learn to love ourselves and to love
others. He knew his faults and limitations, yet made much with his
natural talents. He was insightful of our strengths and weaknesses,
yet he challenged us to grow. He was honest with himself and others
and kept his promises. He was a man of thoughts and actions and led
from the front. He had vision, saw a path to realize it, shared the
dream, and made it happen. He lived all the days of his life as an
adventure, and we are better for having known him."
I hope that you will seriously consider investing some time in writing
your own eulogy, and investing the time every day it takes to turn it
into reality...but hopefully not too soon!
I thank you for the honor of having served you during the past two
years and wish you a long and meaningful life.
- Rutt Bridges, SEG Past President']]>
Last week I was going to type out Anna Taylor's obituary, because she
is a very important part of Grandma Hafen's life. I forgot (D&C 9:9),
and after I read Rutt's article I understood why. Anna was Aunt Flo's
oldest daughter. Aunt Flo (Flora), was the only daughter of Grandpa
and Grandma Morris. The Morris' raised Grandma Hafen after her mother
died. Grandma Morris was the daughter of President McArthur who wrote
the Christmas song `Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains.' The Morris' son's
choose to not go on missions, which hurt Grandpa Morris a lot. So when
Flora's husband was called to serve in Ireland, Grandpa Morris offered
to have Flora and her three children (Anna, Maggie, and Leland) come and
live with them. Flora was pregnant with Morris Brooks and he was born
while his father was on his mission bearing witness of the Savior. Anna
was four years younger than Grandma Hafen, who is now 93. Every Saturday
Anna and Grandma would get a bath together in a #3 tub. Grandma Hafen
used to tease Anna because her bellybutton wasn't as pretty as hers.
Grandma Morris was a strict disciplinarian, and would say to Grandma
Hafen `I tell you young lady ...' after which Grandma would break into
tears. Grandpa Morris would pick up Grandma and say `My dear young lady.'
Anna was Grandma's best friend, and her mother Aunt Flo was the sister
she knew. One thing that really struck me in reading the obituary is
that Anna was widowed before I was born, and died a couple of weeks ago.
And I feel put upon because I have been alone for a couple of years.
Looking outside ourselves does provide perspective, which is why I have
typed out Anna Taylor's Obituary:
<![CDATA[ `Anna Brooks Taylor, 89, passed away Oct. 28, 1998, at her home in
St. George. She was born May 4, 1909, in St. George, a daughter of
George Junior and Flora Morris Brooks. She married Byron H. Taylor
on June 12, 1929, in the St. Geroge LDS Temple. He died Oct. 6, 1949.
Anna was reared and educated in St. George. She graduated from Dixie
High School and Dixie Junior College, where she later was awarded an
honorary associate of arts degree. She received her social services
degree from the University of Utah. Anna worked as an elementary
teacher for two years and later as a social worker for Utah State,
Washington County Social Services, from 1949-1974. She was an active
member of the LDS Church and served as Primary president, Junior
Sunday School coordinator, MIA president and Stake MIA president.
Anna was also very active in the community. She served as the
Washington County representative to Regional PTA, member and
chairperson of the Five County Mental Health Commission, City
Planning and Washington County Planning Commission, chairperson of
County Youth Council and member of Dixie College Advisory Board.
She received the Orchid Lady Award, Special Service Award from the
City of St. George and Outstanding Community Service Award from VFW.
Her greatest assets were her patience and loving ways. She enjoyed
good, stimulating conversation. She loved people of all walks of
life, especially Native Americans. She loved gardening, especially
raising roses. For many years, she was an evaluator for Jackson
Perkins Rose Company.
She is survived by three children: B. Brooks (wife, Marion) Taylor
of Tucson, Ariz., Lorraine (Phil) Washburn of Nephi and John Bert
(Tansy) Taylor of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 20 grandchildren and 48
great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Leland (Connie) Brooks
of Provo, Maggie Stucki, Morris (Ina) Brooks of St. George, and
Flora McMullin of Farmington. She was preceded in death by her
husband; daughter: JoAnn Workman; sister: Helen Anderson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, 1998, at 2 p.m. at
Spilsbury & Beard Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St George.']]>
As I thought about this important transition in each of our lives, my
mind went back a couple of years to my Father's death (my Dad died on
16 May 1996). Dad's obituary reads:
<![CDATA[ `Howared R. Nelson died May 16th in Cedar City, Utah from cancer. He
was born March 29, 1916 in Circleville to Roice Bengt and Emma Lambson
Nelson. Graduated from USAC (now USU) in 1940 with a major in
Agronomy and a minor in Animal Husbandry and Art. Also trained in
carpentry, electricity, plumbing, and auto mechanics. Founded and
operated Nelson Packing Company 1941-1969. Life member of Sigma Phi
Epsilon. Skilled farmer and sheep man. Preceded in death by parents,
brother Garth B. (Bud) Nelson, and sister (and brother-in-law) Marie
Nelson (William Thomas) Krueger. Survived by wife Pauline Hafen
Nelson; Children: H. Roice Nelson, Jr. (Martha Ellyn) of Houston, Texas;
and Sara (Desmond) Penny of Cedar City; eight grandchildren: H. Roice
Nelson, III, Benjamin Bengt Nelson, Paul Frederick Nelson, Melanie
Robbyn Nelson, Sara Ellyn Nelson, Robert Llewellyn Nelson, Bridget
Helen Penny, and Brian Noel Penny; and sisters and brothers: Clara Jean
(Seth Hamilton) Bills of Sugar City, Idaho; sister-in-law Mary Mae (Garth
B.) Nelson of Enoch; Edward Almon (Ted) (Vana Darlene) in the
Phillipines; Richard (Dick) (Elaine) in the Phillipines; Luana (Lloyd
Claude) Warner in Pakistan; Shirley Ann (Willis Orville) Gurr of El
Centro, Califormian and many nieces and nephews.
Member of Cedar City Rotary Club for 55 years. Named a Paul Harris
Fellow in 1980. Long term member of Iron County Planning Commission.
President of Union Field Irrigation Company.']]>
As I typed this out, I was struck by Ted and Dick and Luana not being
able to attend the funeral because they were all serving missions for
the Lord, in the Phllipines and in Pakistan. What a wonderful heritage
we have. The last couple of weeks when I have called my Mom, she has
said Dad comes and visits here every day. She was kind of mad at him
tonight, because she couldn't figure out where he was, and she thought
he must be downstairs. She was afraid he was trying to lift something
too heavy and would hurt himself.
As I think about my week, I miss the physical labor on the farm, and
all of the times Dad and I lifted or moved something too heavy. It
certainly didn't happen this week. I am still babying my left hand
because my ring finger still hurts (.../9842.html). Sunday night
before I went to bed, I had a very nice note from Bridget. Thanks.
For the rest of you, her note included these words:
<![CDATA[ `I think that it's really neat that you share this weekly account
with your family, and it's an amazing record for you to be keeping.
I always try to start journals, but never follow through. ...
I miss home a lot. It's not only my family, but it's mostly my
friends I think. My friends are such amazing girls with really
high standards and it's a huge change coming here and being about
the only person that doesn't drink, smoke, etc... I guess I'm
getting used to it, but it's definitely an adjustment. I have met
a lot of really nice people though and I'm going with one of my
friends to her home in Boston for Thanksgiving.']]>
My week started Monday when we had an interview with a scientist I
have worked with at the University of Houston and at Landmark. It
led to very interesting discussions about intellectual property.
These discussions were continued in the afternoon downtown at the
offices of Bracewell & Patterson, where lawyers and business advisors
from Energy Innovations, Walden Visualization Systems Corporation,
and Norex spent 5 hours talking in circles. Closing a big deal is
almost funny somethimes. I was late getting back to the house, and
Rob drove over to open up the house for Family Home Evening for me.
Everyone watch out, he got his driver's license on Thursday.
Tuesday we had a corporate presentation to Exxon Production Research.
I have been working with a guy to put prospects together to show in our
immersive environments. Rob was interviewed by the Bishop to become a
priest Tuesday evening. Wednesday there were meetings and plans and
my long time friend Ed Gray came and visited. Do you kids remember in
Dallas when the Gray's lived across the street from us and Roice and
Ben's best friends were their boys? Tuesday and Wednesday night I
watched a wonderful PBS Special on Frank Lloyd Wright. I didn't feel
so wierd after watching it. Wednesday evening Melanie called. It is
nice to be able to help her with her physics problems. Among other
things, we also talked about inheritance, and how even if Continuum
is as successful as it looks like it will be, you kids have already
got your inheritance: a painting and an education.
Thursday Gary Crouse and I had a great meeting with Bowen Loftin of
the VETL. I watched a great John Wayne movie that evening. The
Chief Operating Officer at Continuum is getting new office space for
us, and his number one choice is at Beltway 8 and 59, which is at
least 45 minutes from the house. I hate to commute, and so I got
Joe Robert's involved to see if he could find something closer. He
found a beautiful place at Westlake, and it is probably too expensive.
Oh well! Friday Blaine Taylor and I had a great meeting with PGS,
there was a licensing meeting with a partner from the Bureau of
Economic Geology, I went downtown to a meeting between Rick Zimmerman
and Ed Gray, and there was a lot of catch up being done. We went to
look at the Westlake property and it was kind of surreal on the 15th
floor looking out through all of the fog. That evening I went to see
the movie `What Dreams May Come.' Talk about surreal. As I rode home
in the fog, it was almost like I was living in the painting. Almost
like I created my entire life by my choices. Almost like the movie
was teaching me the words for my eulogy.
When I got to the house, I typed out Rutt's article, Anna Taylor's and
Dad's obituaries, and part of Paul's letter. There was a letter in
the mail from my sister, which included the eulogy for one of Grandpa
Hafen's brother-in-laws. Roice, do you remember Clarence Moss, whom
we met at the Hafen Reunion, and who married Aunt Melba? Uncle
Clarence was the husband of my Gradpa Paul Hafen's 4th sister Olive
and he married Grandpa's [and Olive's] 8th sister Melba Rosetta during
the Hafen Family Reunion at Labor Day Weekend (.../9836.html) (in case
none of you kids know, there are 13 children in Adolph's family,
Grandpa Hafen was the oldest son). Uncle Moss' obituary reads:
<![CDATA[ `Clarence McAllister Moss, 89, husband, father, and patriarch of a
large family, passed away at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in
St. George on Tuesday morning, Nov. 3, 1998. He was born Aug. 16,
1909, in St. Geroge, to David Amison and Jane McAllister Moss. He
attended schools in St. Geroge, and learned the trades of paper
hanger, painter and carpenter from his father. He married Olive
Hafen 01 May 1929, in the St. Geroge LDS Temple and Melba Rosetta
Chelf on 04 Sep 1998.
Prior to World War II he enlisted in the Utah National Guard and was
activated as part of the 115th Engineers. After training in the U.S.,
he was sent overseas as comander of an engineer battalion. When the
war ended in 1945, he was stationed in the Philippines and had attained
the rank of colonel.
With the skills he learned from his father and from the military, he
started his occupation as a building contractor. He built many homes
in Santa Clara and St. George, a chapel in Mesquite, several motels,
and was foreman during construction of the Dixie Memorial Hospital.
He was called on a building mission in 1962 for the LDS Church, and
built several chapels in Australia. He took his wife, Olive, and his
children Michael and Ruth with him.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. In addition to serving in many ward callings, he served in
the High Priest Group Leadership, as a Stake High Councilman, and as
a temple ordinance worker for over 20 years.
He loved to serve others. He was honest in his dealings with all
people, and, as part of his service, he helped each of his children
in many ways. He left a noble heritage.
He is survived by his wife Melba; three sons: Robert (Roberta), David
(Janiel), Michael (Jeanine); two dauthers: Carol (husband, Sam
Shannon) of Las Vegas, Nev., Ruth (Don Basile); Karla, wife of
his son, Erwin, married Lloyd Cannon. Also surviving are 29
grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, 1998, at 11 a.m.
in the Santa Clara Valley Chapel, 3040 West Santa Clara Drive.
Friends may call Friday from 7-9 p.m. at Spilsbury & Beard Mortuary,
110 S. Bluff, and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to
services at the Santa Clara Chapel. Interment will be in the Santa
Clara Cemetary, under the direction of Spilsbury & Beard Mortuary,
St. George.']]>
There was also a letter from Paul in the mailbox. Among other things
his letter provides a type of eulogy for the Russian economy. It says:
<![CDATA[ `We usually do 4 hrs. a week of service. We have been teaching
English in schools, but all the teachers have gone on strike because
they haven't been paid in 6 months to a year. People are mad at the
government but not revolt mad. These people just get dumped on and
dumped on and they just take it and take it. Americans would have
revolted 10 yrs. ago. They just deal with it. I have asked some of
my friends how they live 6 months - 1 1/2 yrs without pay. Well
they all have out of city gardens where they get their winter supply
of potatos, cabbage, etc. And they borrow money from friends and
family. It is almost a barter economy. Some of the people finally
get paid but in goods. If they work in a furniture store they get a
couch. Well they don't need a couch they need food but it is better
than nothing so then they go trade a friend for food. It's only a
matter of time before the whole country crashes. I don't think it
will be for a yr. or so though. Things haven't changed too much
besides the fact that the ruble to dollar exchange rate has more
than doubled and prices are a bit highter. Import stuff is off the
shelves but Russian products are about the same.']]>
So with all of these thoughts on my mind, I drove up to Dallas on
Saturday. As I drove, and in the spirit of starting with the end in
mind, I wrote out my eulogy. I do hope it isn't read at my funeral for
many years, and yet this effort will hopefully be a positive statement
for you kids to consider as you plan out your own lives. I stopped in
Ennis and had some `Serious Bar-B-Que' and rewrote what I had written.
I drove straight to the temple, went through a session, and sat in the
parking lot and rewrote parts again. Saturday evening I looked at
digital camera's, ate at McDonalds, and read several chapters in the
book `Russia and the Restored Gospel.' I also watched the CNN news
about the probable attack on Iraq, and a special about the transition
in power from Stalin to Kruchev back before the depression.
Sunday morning I went to the Park City Baptist Church with Rhonda's
friend Pat. The Pastor's message was just like President McKay's
famous conference talk where he stressed the concept of `Every member
a missionary.' It was really good, and I understood why many people
are comfortable and not receptive to looking for the restored gospel.
Her Sunday School class was equally refreshing. An insight from the
instructor was that depression can be defined as `the inability,
unwillingness, or refusal to change direction.' Pat and I went out
for a nice Sunday lunch. It was one of those very, very rare times
when I am out of town and purchase something like a meal on the
Sabbath. She is a nice lady, and not at all interested in the
restoration of the gospel. I went from lunch to Moody Collusium
and watched Sara perform in her competitive cheerleading meet. I
thought she was perfect. She said they did really bad. I drove back
to Houston, got here in time to go to Stake Choir practice, and then
to type out this Thoughtlet. I apologize it is so long.
To close, the following is written to be printed on the web and in an
appropriate newspaper. Then it is to be read as my eulogy (as Rutt
said "hopefully not too soon") by my eldest son with a current temple
recommend [or if necessary by my Bishop]:
<![CDATA[ `Howard Roice Nelson, Jr., affectionately known as "H." to telephone
solicitors, died [day month year] in [city, county, state, country
if outside the USA]. He was born on 03 November 1949, during one of
the worst blizzards to hit Utah during the 20th Century, in Cedar City,
Iron County, Utah to Howard R. and Pauline Hafen Nelson. He grew up
in Cedar Valley, between Enoch and Kolob, and just north of Zion,
graduated from Cedar City High School in 1968, University of Utah in
1974 with a degree in geophysics and a minor in geology, and from
Southern Methodist University in 1981 with an M.B.A. emphasizing
entrepreneurship.
Dad [He] knew the value of life, having faced death in his youth, and
so lived with intensity. He loved his family, friends, colleagues,
and humanity. He had a knowledge and a testimony God lives, Jesus
Christ is our Savior, and Joseph Smith, Jr. was called to be the
prophet to restore the true and living church, The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which represent Jesus and is preparing
the world for His return. Dad [He] strived for perfection, and
realized he fell short. He enjoyed quoting J. Golden Kimball's
response to being asked if he was concerned about being corrected
by the brethern: "Hell no, I repent too damn fast."
Sometimes Dad [Roice] was too serious and lost his smile. However,
in general, he took a sad song and made it better. He taught his
vaules by example and could capture anyone with his stories and his
smile. During the years after Mom [Marti] divorced him, he was able
to purge accumulated anger and resentment and to find peace through
service, work, and his second marriage. A sister missionary from
Sweden, who served in the Harlow District with him, told him "Roice"
translates as "tenacity," and the translation fits. He was an
idealist who chased his dreams and literally strived to build castles
in the clouds up until his death.
Dad [Roice] worked on the farm and at Nelson Packing Plant through the
summer of 1969. He worked as a geophysical Professional Assistant at
Pan American the summer of 1970, and at Amoco the summer of 1973. He
worked for Mobil Oil from 15 July 1974 to 15 January 1980 in Dallas,
then for the University of Houston until November 1982. He co-founded
The KeyNotes (1964), The MydKnight Hour (1967), Computer Genealogical
Services (1978), co-wrote the musical "Swedish Roots" (1979), co-founded
The University of Houston's Image Processing Laboratory and Research
Computation Laboratory (1980), The University of Houston's Allied
Geophysical Laboratories (1981), Landmark Graphics Corporation (15 Dec
1982), had published "New Technologies in Exploration Geophysics"
(1983), co-founded China Cattle Corporation (29 Nov 1989), Walden 3-D,
Inc. (18 May 1990), HyperMedia Corporation (04 Jan 1991), Dynamic Oil
& Gas Corporation (22 May 1991), Advanced Structures Incorporated
(31 July 1991), Global Basin Research Network (1992), became an
Associate of Project Mind (20 July 1994), co-founded Walden
Visualization Systems Corporation (Nov 1997), Continuum Resources
Corporation (July 1998), Heritage Galleries On-Line LLP (1998), and
[company (date)]. He has been called a visionary, and firmly believed
any insights he found were simply seeds planted in his mind by the
Holy Spirit, a direct result of living the Word of Wisdom. His
personal vision statement was "Continuing to make a difference."
Dad [Roice] found great joy implementing positive change - especially
when it helped make the world a better place for his children and
grandchildren.
Dad [Roice] always strived to put family first, and yet sometimes he
retreated to the mechanical and emotional security of church
responsibilities and work. He was a good Father and showed the
consistency of his caring and concern through a weekly Thoughtlet,
which the spirit taught him to start a few months prior to the
definitive divorce decision, and which he was unable to change.
His God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and church work were always of
upmost importance to him. He never refused a calling to serve the
Lord, and had the opportunity for many different responsibilities.
He loved missionary work, and was called to the British Mission (the
name was changed to The England East Mission) (October 1970 to
November 1972), as a Stake Missionary in the Katy Texas Stake (July
1996 to July 1998), and [mission (month year to month year)]. Work
was his hobby, and he thoroughly enjoyed what he did each day. He
was promiscuously honest and forthright, specifically in his reaction
to moral and ethical laxity, which trait he recognized limit business
growth in today's society.
He is survived by [name (relationship)].
Funeral services will be held Saturday, [day month year], at 10:00 AM
in the Enoch Utah Stake Center. Interment will be in the Cedar City
cemetary, under the direction of [mortuary].']]>
Like Rutt said, I hope this isn't read for real for many years, and it
will probably be revised many times before it is read. As you each
know, there are many things I still wish to accomplish. However, as
you are each in the very early stages of identifying your essences and
life's mission, I encourage you to consider Rutt's advise. Start with
the end in mind, write out what you want said about you at your funeral,
and live your life so you exceed those expectations. You will be
fullfilled, if you take the time to do this simple exercise. I hope and
pray you all have a great week."
I'm interested in sharing weekly a "thoughtlet" (little statements
of big thoughts which mean a lot to me) with you because I know how
important the written word can be. I am concerned about how easy
it is to drift and forget our roots and our potential among all of
distractions of daily life. To download any of these thoughtlets
go to http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets or e-mail me at
rnelson@walden3d.com.
With all my love,
Dad
(H. Roice Nelson, Jr.)