Becoming an Important Part of the Eagle Trail

When I was asked by Chris, the Scout Troop Committee Chairman to give the Keynote Address at an Eagle Court of Honor one hot June afternoon I wanted to do something the Scouts and Parents would remember for the rest of their lives--in every good way. 

For every Eagle Scout Speaker who comes after, I recommend this--it's a physical way of involving almost every man and boy in the room in a memorable series of links.

"We live by symbols, I began. "Look at the flag that we just pledged allegiance to.  Did you ever think you might be called upon to defend that flag in time of war?  Y'know the symbol of the eagle on the resume of a World War II Recruit meant he could be promoted from enlisted to office--made a lieutenant and put in charge of a platoon.  What does the Eagle rank really mean.in the real world today?  It means you're a marked man--that people will expect great things of you!

"To help you all remember this night, I want to do a magic trick that you will always remember." I continued.  The eyes of the cubscouts and pre cubs got wide--maybe responding to my mysterious tone and this wizard- like beard.

"You six men sitting in the Eagles Next have all earned your eagle scout award.  Me too!  I brought my eagle badge still pinned to my Order of the Arrow sash and my collection of Merit Badges--and a special silk and painted leather Eagle Neckerchief that I haven't worn since I was awarded my Eagle in 1963--47 years ago.  I think this would be a good time to put it on.

"Now to the magic trick--will all men who are Eagle Scouts in the room stand up?"  I called on a friend, Kim Monson, one of the Eagles nest, to rearrange the standing line oldest to youngest-- then I called upon the two Eagle Scout Candidates and their parents (Scouting is a Team Sport, after all) to join the Eagle trail, then I called on all Life Scouts--boys and men who got stuck there along the Eagle trail to stand oldest to youngest--and so it went through the ranks down to tenderfoot. 

By then the line of men and boys stretched across the Relief Society Room.  Then we added the Silver Beaver award recipient and all the cub scouts from Webelos through Bear, Wolf and Bobcat--and all the pre-cub little boys.  (Older men stalled at Star or First Class came bounding up to take their place--as everyone, "got into the act".

With everyone in the line of the Eagle Trail, I asked everyone to hold hands.and look up and down the "trail".

To the little guys on one end, I said: "There it is--your future in Scouting.  Aspire to achieve your own Eagle Scout Rank so you can join the veterans in the Eagle Nest and reap the benefits of being an Eagle Scout-- the highest rank in Scouting."

To the new Eale Candidates and Veteran Nesters--"Look down the trail.  There is your challenge--encourage your fellow scouts to work to arrive where you are.    Let's have a round of  applause for all the Eagle Scouts and Eagle wannabes long the Eagle Trail--now you can all sit down--but I hope you'll remember who was next to you--and all the ways you can help each other up the Eagle Trail."  JWH

Grampa, your house is--too full!

One thing I can say in Joe's parent's favor--they're raising an honest kid--maybe a bit too honest.  On a trip down our dimly lit stairs into the basement to find baloons, Joe felt comfortable enough to say, "Grampa, you need another house!

When I asked why, the seven year old shot back without thinking of what he was REALLY saying, "Cuz you're house is too dirty!"  Then, likely thinking about what he REALLY meant to say, and not wanting to insult us, he reconsidered with, "Your house is too full of stuff!"  Ah, from the mouths of seven year old babes!

OK, so we're a work in progress--a kid doesn't know that.  Yes, we've got stacks of stuff we're sorta-kinda sorting--kinda.  I know we've got boxes in the halls that must seem like they're anchored to the spot for the rest of time--but Joe had a point and wasn't shy about sharing!

Joe, at seven has no patience for frills or fluffery.  Somewhere he's learned about "Yup" and "Sure" as his two survival words.  He's a pint sized version of Gary Cooper or the monosylabic Mike Mansfield--plain spoken Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate in the 60s and 70s who used to drive reporters wild with his simple "Yups" and "Nopes".  Joe is the tough guy of the family.  That's the protectorate he has carved out for himself as number 3 after two pretty good older siblings.  How I love him for it.

He's right!  Our house is too full!  In the same spirit of the Emperor's New Clothes, Joe has the guts to say what he sees, or as an old friend, Keith Robinson,  who ran the physical systems in the then new Provo City Building, used to say with uncommon hardbitten bluster, "I calls 'em like I sees em!" JWH

Grampa Applaud's Joe's Creation of Cheezy-Whips!

Joe's dad, Chris came to fix the disposal and put a new window sill on our front window this afternoon.


By now, Joe is seven and exploring the world of our refridgerator, where he knows he has continuous access.  He'd had his regular sucker--but he was hungry for more and I suggested Choco-Cheese Sandwiches, like the ones he'd built for us the last time the whole tribe of brothers and sisters came over for a rainy day.


But alas, no chocolate syrup to be had--so Joe gathered the the individually wrapped cheese slices, we got some sliced potato bread and rummaged around for a topper.  In these experiences, I've learned to ask leading questions--but let the youngster take charge and anticipate the challenges that building these confections will take.


Suddenly, there it was--left over whipped cream in an areosol can we'd use to make strawberry shortcake.  We found a clear spot on the table and set up shop.   Leading questions are so much better than instructions.  It gives the child the impression that he is completely in charge.


An adult and maybe even an older child would have cut each of the two slices of bread in fourths, but not Joe--he was all about building before any cutting took place.  At each stage, it's important for Grampa to show no disapproval or label anything wrong.  We'd chosen a sharp knife together and he'd demonstrated that he knew how to handle it safely.


He got stuck unwrapping the cheese, because I let him--and he's growing up a little, because he kept at it after initial trys didn't produce results.   Using the conspiratorial tone we've developed as friends, I showed him the trick about unwrapping the tab first--and pretty soon two neatly unwrapped slices were in place--then it came to whipped cream.   Gramma Rosie showed him how to hold it..and it was all he could do to just hold it straight up and down--so I did that and he carefully pushed the nozzle sideways.  He had a surgeon's touch -- rare in one so young.  A bit came out--and then a little more.  By the time he got to the second batch he was pumping out whipped cream rosettes and laughing about how much fun he was having.


That's the key--food and fun and applause---Kit's of every age  love applause--someone to pay attention and signal approval.  It's what a psychologist called, "bid for approval"  (When our 34 year old now officially divorced "youngster" comes home, we turn off the TV and pay total attention to him.   Besides he's much more entertaining than anything Hollywood could dream up.)


After Joe had built and snarfed two batches of what we came to call Cheezy-Whips  (All told about four slices of bread and the same number of cheese with a little whipped cream) Joe was ready for some big muscle fun.  (Kids seem to know when it's time to shift gears.)


For years--since before Joe was born, the favorite indoor/outdoor toy of choice is ballons--that the kids can blow up with little pumps for approving adults to tie--and then use them in all kinds of outdoor or indoor games. 


Catch, Launch like a rocket, and Pseudo Soccer are Joe's favorites.  I tried to sit these out...but since he was the only kid and Gramma Rosie was doing sumpin' else--he called to me, and I went.  Good thing I was wearin' my pedometer.  I chaulked up a healthy half a mile playin' with Joe most all after noon.


Cooking builds confidence, depending on how the adult handles it.  If there's a bit of quiet and a leading question, it works most effectivley.   Give every opportunity for the kid to be in charge.


When our two were that age, they'd save up money (that's so important to satisfy the good training of delayed gratification--and we'd go to the store to get what they wanted to buy.  From the beginning I would act like I was browsing near the check stand--and very soon, Jeff and Sally knew they had to pump up the gumption to ask for what they wanted and deal with the clerk themselves.   Sally only begged me to "get it for her" once.  A gentle, matter of fact chat behind the toilet paper set her straight and she came to enjoy the challenge of "doing" for herself.


Today both kids Jeff, 34 and Sally, 32 are successfull professionals who deal with the public every day--gently professionally and still friendly.   Jeff may be a bit too effective--cuttin' deals and negotatiting like a pro.


Seven is a magical age.  Kids are developing a sense of self that is going to carry them through the rest of their lives, as long as the adults in their lives encourage them and hush up long enough to let them lead out and develop those inner "figure it out" muscles with food and fun,  balloons and lots of generous and sincere applaus! JWH

Princess' Pagoda Palace appears in puff of smoke--after 68 days of Fun!

When Princess Beth rang the bell to consult with her Wizardhowe, he had no idea that her request would consume the next two months in planning, building and anticipating the Princess' Pagoda Palace.

The whole experience became a wonderful experience as two families had fun working together to build a unique tent for the platform of the kid's swing set. This presentation is four minutes and 17 seconds of the highlights--written by a Wizard and his wfe to their beloved Princess and her family.

While the narration is done in the voice of the Wizardhowe--with all the fantasy of a castle with turrets and a summer filled with the fun of anticipation, the joy of learning how to use tools and work side by side as part of the Princess' Pagoda Palace experience.

The little recipients of 68 days of love and fun together have moved away--but they're still close enough that we as Wizard-Planner-Builder and Gramma Rosie, Commander of the Sucker Patrol, are still invited for Sunday Lunch and a celebration every Spring as the Royal Family remount a favorite memory, our tent, "The Princess' Pagoda Palace" that we built together on the platform next to their beloved swings! JWH

What do you say to a Naked Gramma?

The Lion's Holladay Pool near our house opened a few years ago--and I was right there on the first day--anxious to get a little exercise and "chlorine therapy".  For several years, I've had an annual pass.  I love to swim--never mind that I'm "wasted" for the rest of the day.

Two days ago, one of those awkward moments when someone you know fully clothed shows up poolside and recognizes you.  Regardless of the mileage on the liver spots and wrinkles -- even a modest suit on both of you is barely enough to keep from making eye contact and disciplining yourself from glancing, below the "Mason Dixon" Line.

OK, in this case Gramma was a dear friend--and she wasn't naked--but our greeting was "tight" at best.   It's at those moments you work hard to say just the right thing--and "good to see you" just isn't one of them.

This morning I was sitting in the hot tub with five or six older women when someone came down the steps and began visiting with one of her neighbors.  Their conversation soon was animated and friendly--and I got up to climb out just as my friend from many years ago sat on the steps and blocked my exit.  I didn't say anything-- just stood there patiently waiting.  Her friend picked up on my need to leave and said as much to my friend.   She shifted her position in the warm tub and kept chatting away.

I could have left without saying anything, but I extended my hand and said, "Hello, Peggy!  Jon Howe."  She paused in mid sentence, instinctively grabbed my hand, smiled, nodded, "Oh, hello" in one of those "what do you say to a Naked Grampa?" moments and went right back to her conversation.   In the pool, with very little between you and your friends from the clothed existence, best be brief and be gone!

There is great value in shy.   Being too forward, especially in these swim suited moments casts you as an Insurance Salesman in a stalled elevator.  I've discovered that rather than proposing--I'd better react than act.

In the early morning, the exercise classes and gramkid swim lessons draws quite a crowd to the Lion's Pool. With my Santa beard, I fit right in.  I've noticed certain interesting behaviors--like the lady who is careful not to get into water over her collar bones--and is made up and coifed to the nth degree.  Maybe it's for self image, but I'm guessing she's out to snare an eligible fella swimmer.

One of my favorite personalities is a slight, older woman who teaches little ones to lose their fear of the water.  She has a collection of learning props.like hula hoops, floating blocks, little foam fish.  I enjoy watching how good she is with these youngsters.

Then there's the Jewish tag team best friends swimming instructors.  They are all bluff and bluster--full of effusive compliments--keeping things rolling and their young charge's always moving.

One willowly gramma in sweat shirt and pendleton plaid proper collar is there to help Sissy with her support and a thirty towel.  She and her daughter support the troops--and she patiently lives for it.

An 80 something coctail olive on a couple of toothpicks with a smooshed in face walked and rolled his way to the dressing room.  His legs were so skinny--and his giant belly was encased in a floatation belt.

The cool teenage lifeguards have developed the sheik mystique of a greyhouse or perhaps giraffe.  They are "above it all" whether on their stainless steel tower or walking back and forth with giant salami-like floatation bouys under their arms--ever ready.   

Then there's the elegant Moms--who come to read paperback novels, always slender, snug slacks and big sunglasses in touseled sun streaked hair.  One of them took her place while a young daughter swam laps--and luckily I spotted her quickly.   The last thing I wanted to do was haul my blubber out of the drink in front of her and flash a shy smile.   Sometimes it's just easier to paddle around until she leaves.    No such luck.  She was there for the duration--and a waterlogged half hour drug by.   Finally I moved out of her eye line and hoisted myself quickly into the dressing room.

I wondered, why someone who has let himself go as I have in favor of whatever tasty morsels get packed in on forks and spoons over a lifetime of gastronomic enjoyment---why worry.    Don't know, but I tend to be a little self conscious. 

For swimming, I would rather enjoy the indifference of strangers than endure judgemental glances and tight little laughs of embarrassment.

What do you say to a Naked Gramma?  Absolutely nothing, if you can avoid it!  JWH

Nomination Questionnaire for The Grampa Hall of Fame

Congratulations!  Because you have been "linked" to this post, you have the challenge to help me, Jon Robert Howe,  the curator of the Grampa Hall of Fame to write the citation post for your nomination.

Please copy and paste this questionnaire into your e-mail and fill in the blanks below and send the completed form and a good quality digital JPEG picture of your nominee (attached) to grampaintraining@gmail.com.  Send any questions to the same e-mail address.

We will send you back an edited draft of the citation for the Grampa Hall of Fame.  This is a free public service of the Grampa in Training Blog.  We're anxious to observe the sensitivities involved with the story of your nominee.  Beyond a newspaper obituary, this citation will be read by future generations and accessable to everyone who reads this blog.  Like you, we want to get it RIGHT!

Here are the members of this exclusive group.  Follow the links below each picture to get an idea of the kind of information we're looking for.

           Harold Poole                        Clayton Robbins              Vernon Thompson

He Carried his Riches With Him  The Power of a Gentle Grampa  Serious Laughter for Growth

        Big Mike Sullivan

    Biker Poet Finally Liberated  

Nomination Questionnaire 

for The Grampa Hall of Fame

Please copy and paste this questionnaire into your e-mail and fill in the blanks below before sending it to grampaintraining@gmail.com

 

Nominee's complete Name_____________________________________

Nominee's email if still living _________________________________

Nominee's Date of Birth  _____________________________________

Nominee's Location of Birth ___________________________________

Nominee's Date of Passing (where appropriate)_______________

Nominee's Age at the time of Passing (where appropriate)_____

Location of Passing  (where appropriate) ________________________

Date of Nominee's Memorial Service  (where appropriate) ______

Newspaper(s) that published Nominee Obituary (where appropriate)

________________________________________________________

Spouse's complete name _____________________________________

Spouse's email (where appropriate)_____________________________

Date of Wedding ____________________________________________

Place Married ______________________________________________

Name(s) of Children  with age and e-mail at time of nomination (to gather more information about the nominee and notify when the citation is completed and posted)

___________________   ______   _____________________________

___________________   ______   _____________________________

___________________   ______   _____________________________

(More can be added as needed)

Lifetime Profession_____________________________________

How is Nominee investing/invested  his time if retired

____________________________________________________

Two or three anecdotes about his work______________________

______________________________________________________

Two or three anecdotes about his service as husband, father & Grampa

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Specific reasons why he deserves this Great Grampa Hall of Fame honor that you haven't mentioned in the anecdotes above:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Any additional material that you think could be added to the citation

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Please copy and paste this questionnaire into your e-mail and fill in the blanks above before sending it to grampaintraining@gmail.com with a good quality JPEG digital picture of your nominee attached.

Jon Robert Howe, Curator
Grampa Hall of Fame
Creator:  Grampa in Training (GiT) Blog
grampaintraining@gmail.com

What is a Wizard, Anyway?

The name Dumbledore comes to mind.  His young friend Harry Potter was supposed to be one of the greatest wizards ever!  Both were good wizards--kindly, patient, contributing to their community, leading their friends to better things!

He Who Must Not Be Named--ok, Voldemort was a dark wizard.  The Death Eaters joined him with assorted other villlians to wreak havoc and horror in J. K. Rowling's landmark book series--tearing down where a good wizard would build up!

Gotta have both sides--as Father Lehi taught, "Needs be opposition in all things.  Soaps, Dramas even Comedies are not much with such contrast!

I was cast in the play, "Once Upon a Mattress!" at the local college's community theater years ago. (It was Carol Burnett's Broadway debut vehicle.  The costumers crafted a nifty green and yellow silk robe with pointy hat and even a magic wand.  At the time I was teaching at New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Salt Lake City and learning about the Microsoft "Wizard".  I chose an email name that has remained with me ever since that reflects those days and what I was doing at work and at play!.My "email handle" has given my computer class students something to call me when they feel they've gotten past "Mr. Howe".


The little wizard that I'm conjuring up (below)  is the illustration on the blog in March of 2010 annoncing that I had just become "employed" at Highland's Community Education Program after 18 months of being a hard working job hunter because of the Burst Real Estate Bubble. it's effects on our company: Coaching Institute and the George W. Bush Memorial Recession that began at the end of 2008 just about the time our jobs at CI all disappeared as the nearly 10 year old company imploded.

Liza helped me define the term  WIZARD  in our Spring 2010 Photoshop Class at Highland Community Education where I teach Microsoft Office (Powerpont Slide Production, Excel Spreadsheets, and Word Processing) Photoshop and Web Design.  (A lovely face always gets more attention, don't you think?)

Let me know what You think! wizardhowe@gmail.com.

The purpose of the graphic is to establish the first of several "Branding ads--and demonstrate the use of color, gradient fills, shadows and embossing for that classy 3D feel.

Big Mike Sullivan, Great Grampa Hall of Fame Hero!

Michael King Sullivan, Big Mike to his many, many friends,  survived his Doctor's expectations by 20 years on what he called "borrowed time".

Amazingly he survived a near fatal collision with a parked Semi Truck on a side street on his souped up motorcycle.  The bike was going so fast it climbed up the semi and flipped Big Mike up in the air and severed his spinal cord below the waist.

Big Mike landed in a wheel chair.   Fast forward to twenty years ago.

Then, Big Mike suffered a stroke--and doctors told his sweet Carol that her husband would spend the rest of what was left of his life in bed--they spoke from experience.  No one lasted long after that kind of punishment.    Any day it could be all over!

He beat all the odds until May 13, 2010.  At the age of 69, Big Mike was liberated to run all over the Spirit World Paradise--or roar all over on the afterlife version of the best dream-cycle he could imagine.    He credited his marvelous care from wife Carol and all his nurses and doctors.  I personally believe he kept his attitude alive and enthusiasic---and that sustained him and all around him to the very end.

I couldn't do it--minimal use of my arms and hands--and really nothing but my brain, my face and my voice to serve my fellow man--but he did, my,  how he did.

Poetry--on long car trips with friends, they would quote poetry back and forth all the way to Southern Utah. It's a lost art--but Big Mike recited to anyone who would sit still long enough to thoroughly enjoy his enthusiastic renditions. A little DVD recording of Mike reciting with his whole being three poems on camera and a number just in audio track is a precious memento of Mike's great talent and skills.

His many interests were wide and deep. Above all he loved his family--and they dropped by often--all three kids, spouses, kids, pets.   He was a fanatical fan of the Utah Jazz and BYU Football.  A big man himself,  well beyond six feet six inches tall he loved to research Giants, Utah history and Stamps!  - Back in the day of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, Big Mike led a group of philadelists (Stamp Collectors) in arranging a special cancellation of a commemorative stamp of the majestic Temple right on temple square.

Wheelchair bound, Sullivan met with the First Presidency to make arrangements for the crowd and outdoor facilities for the ceremonial cancellation by U.S. Post Office Staff.

"I put on my best suit to meet with President Hinckley and President Monson, both counselors to President Benson in the board room at 47 East South Temple." Mike recalled.  As we posed for pictures to remember the occasion, I remembered I was wearing wide bright orange suspenders.  As the photographer got ready to snap the the picture, my suit coat fell open and President Monson saw the bright glow of my galluses.

"He laughed out loud and I covered them up as quick as I could." he said.

"'Don't do that Mike," President Monson chuckled!  "They'll show up great in the picture!  Where can I get a pair like that?'  " How I love that great prophet! Big Mike chuckled in the telling.

Mike was renown throughout his family as the smartest Grampa ever.  At the memorial service, Big Mike and Carol's only daughter, Kathy told the story about her fourth grade daughter.  When she had a difficult homework assignment she would go to her mother and beg permission, "Let's call Grampa Mike!  He'll know the answer".  Kathy told the crowd gathered to say goodbye to Big Mike that often she had to simplify Grampa Mike's College level explanations, "so the teacher wouldn't figure out where we got the answer!".

Oldest son Mike told the group how proud he was of his dad.  "He was the smartest man I ever knew.  He could take a math problem like 4,843,533 times 17,000 and instantly give back the correct answer.  I checked it out with a calculator several times--and he was always right!"  Son Mike said his dad worked as a commercial artist.   "He was soon promoted as the boss of whatever operation he became a part of.  He was a natural leader."

"With Dad flat on his back for so many years, Kathy said, "I always hesitated to tell him when I had a head ache or sour stomach.  He always wanted to know when we were sick.  He was a wonderful dad.  He told us he would rather have the headache for us! 


One of  Big Mike's life long friends,  Brent Cheney told the assembled friends and family about joining the Merchant Marine together.

"One day downtown in San Francisco, we were walking along in uniform when a drunk man came out of a bar with a big bottle of whisky, remembered Cheney.    "He weaved and slurred, "Hey sailor boys--- let me buy you a drink!"  Well Mike smiled, thanked him, took the bottle and walked off down the street.   I couldn't believe it!

Big Mike just grinned and said, "He's had enough.  He doesn't need this too!"

"We had to go through a lumber yard on the way back to the base," said Brent.  "Big Mike hid the bottle there.  Several weeks later I got a cold I just couldn't shake--it went on for three weeks and I was still congested and coughing. Big Mike said we should take Liberty that Friday and 'go out for dinner'"  He got that bottle and told me I should take two big swallows."

"We're both good Mormon boys", remembered former Seaman Cheney.  "Neither one of us had ever taken a drink in our life!  Well, Big Mike insisted and I figured it couldn't hurt, so I took the first swig and it burned all the way down.  I took a big gulp from the bottle--and we went out for a hot dog on the pier.   Suddenly I began to sweat---I got better almost immediately---and I've never had a cold since!  Laughter and knowing nods across the chapel.

Many of the Holladay Second Ward High Priest's quorum visited Mike on a regular basis, as a service project.  Mike always cheered up his visitors and they always left with more than they brought.

Bishop Steve Crump told the group at the end of the service that he, too dropped by Mike and Carol's home for a little bit of Big Mike therapy.  With so much going on his life as  Bishop, he needed someone to cheer him up.  Mike always brightened other's lives.  He quoted poetry from memory from a vast mental store.  He knew more jokes than anybody I ever met--and he loved to make folks laugh.  He loved to laugh with them!

After the memorial service was over--and the family gathered for the trip to the cemetery, One of Big Mike's closest friends, Brent shared a story that couldn't be told over the pulpit that Mike told him on one of his last visits.

One Day Big Mike was workin' on his car when he noticed a young druggie breaking into his neighbor's house.  Quickly, Big Mike grabbed his 22 pistol and shouted, "Hey!  Whatcha doin?  The kid took off like a shot down the street.  Big Mike shouted the classic line from every cop show you ever saw, "STOP OR I'LL SHOOT!

Then, ever the consumate showman, Big Mike went silent.   Brent  was well into the story-- it wasn't a joke--it was a true story and after a few beats, he got desperate for the rest of it.   "So, Did you?--Did you shoot him?"

With his face wreathed in a great big smile he said, "Sure did!  Hit him in the ass and dropped him on the spot!"

"Well?" asked Brent!

"Oh, I didn't kill him, just wounded him a bit in his dignity!" Mike chuckled.  The police ended up congratulating me--of course that was then, and this is now! 

"You're so lucky!"  Brent laughed "The laws have changed-- You coulda' been sued by him...or his parents.

"That's right, laughed  Big Mike, "but that was then, and this is now!"  and he smiled another  broad smile remembering how it used to be!

No one knows what they call the Mortality Degree that Mike earned with highest honors for the relatively short time he was here.   Gramma Rosie said they might confer on  Big Mike a P.T.A.H.D.  (Passed To a Higher Degree)! lol

Friend Cheney, who spent so much of his early life with Big Mike said it best.

"I know where Big Mike is right now!  He's up there in Paradise, hugging all those great friends and family who preceded him, but I think, if I know Mike at all,  he's saying something like, 'Wait just a minute--I'll be right back!' And then, using legs he hasn't had in twenty years or more--he's running from one side of the kingdom to the other and laughing like heaven's never heard!"

Good on ya , Big Mike-- Save a place for us, we'll all be up directly!  JWH

J. Wizard Howe
Curator of the Great Grampa Hall of Fame

Producer of Grampa in Training (GiT) Blog: 

Currently writing "On We Go--Laughing!"

                    PREVIOUS BOOKS

Creator of "Teaching Moment Boosters (Vitamin TMB)"

Co-Author of "Stop Business Interrupters,  Encourage Agents of Change"

                     wizardhowe@gmail.com

Grampa Prophets I have known!

Heard a great story about President Thomas S. Monson.  (Amazing what you hear when you're not snoring through Testimony Meeting)  Sister Christy told about going to the graduation of members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (We've been to one of those when Gramma Rosie's best friend mustered out, so we know how it goes!)

At this gathering the newly refurbished old Tabernacle was filled to capacity with friends and well wishers who had either turned 60 or were leaving the choir because of other callings.

President Monson was a surprise visitor.  (President Hinckley wasn't there the day we went!)  Christy chuckled as she told us how President Monson made his way up to the organ and with a sparkle in his eye used his fist on the black keys to play what most folks have done themselves--it goes like this:  Dah-dah-DUMP-de-DUMP, Dah-de-Dump de dump!   She testified how that experience made the Prophet seem less stuffy, more human and more wonderful to her.  It strengthened her testimony and intensified her faith!

Of course there's the marvelous time when the Prophet wiggled his ears during a General Conference Address.  The video of that experience has been removed from all the Internet sites where it once appeared, but a man with such large ears had a talent we never knew.  (His message was to the Priesthood about modeling our best behavior as an example to everyone young and old!)

My personal encounter involved a driveway to Crown Burgers near Temple Square. It was a Saturday.  I had made a turn halfway in the middle of the street and left very little room for the big blue car coming out of the parking lot.  The driver (who I immediately recognized as then Elder Monson in an open plaid sport short and light jacket)  had to maneuver pretty carefully to drive into the street in the tiny space I had left by my slopping turn.   I didn't have the courage to wave--and as I remember he seemed a bit put out and didn't wave either.   I had cut off one of the Twelve.  I hoped he didn't get my license plate number and cancel my temple recommend!  (Of course he wouldn't do that--I just didn't want him to remember my face!)

It's been said that your relationship with the Savior is mirrored in how you get along with your Bishop.   I hope I can repent of my unfortunate encounter--however mild with a future Prophet of God.

Finally, Gramma Rosie and I went to vote, as we always do, at the Junior High one year -- headquarters for multiple voting districts.   I knew then 1st Counselor in the First Presidency and President of the Twelve Apostles lived a few stakes North of us, but I didn't know he voted at the same Junior High.  Maybe we would have dressed up a bit.  Too late.  As we walked into the building, a big black car glided to a stop and a smiling President Monson jumped out and bounded into the building just behind us.

(A neighbor's husband had been his driver and security once upon a time and told us that he like to have the car reparked while he was in a building so he could come back out, jump in the car and immediately drive away without having to back out and turn around.  Sure enough, as he entered, I could see through the glass door, the driver going through that routine maneuver.)

Interestingly there were no signs directing us to vote.  The three of us stood there, we instinctively looking to him for leadership.  He headed for the nearby stairs with a grin and a, "Maybe it's up here!"

I glanced down the hall and saw an open door and suggested we see if that was it before subjecting Gramma and her arthritic knees to a flight of Junior High Stairs!  He agreed and we went into vote.  We let him go in first and he captivated the room.  We shuffled in after him and did our civic duty.  It was a routine bond election.  He punched his ballot, put it in the box and was gone.  Suddenly the room seemed to dim a little.

An attorney once told me that he, as driver and security, and then Elder Monson were hospital visiting and left LDS Hospital by the back door to make a quick getaway.    The exit door slammed shut behind them when Elder Monson was "nudged" to return.  They were locked out.


Elder Monsen chuckled and told his driver, "Well, David, guess one of us better go around and get this door open!  David told me he was torn between following orders and staying with Elder Monsen.  Just then, an elderly woman opened the door to leave the hospital--and David immediately  had both wishes granted as they caught the door before it closed and went back to follow the "nudge".

In 1969 I was working in Washington on Capitol Hill when President Hugh B. Brown, one of my great heros, came to open the Senate with Prayer.   LDS Capitol Hill Staffers had a loose organization--most of us went to the old Washington Ward built with Utah birdseye Marble.  The moonies bought the building when the church realized, regrettably that the neighborhood, once fashionable like Chevy Chase had run down and become too dangerous for us to go through to attend church.  They removed the angel Moroni from the single spire of what was a replica of the main tower of the Salt Lake Temple.  The Moonies put up their circular cross emblem up there.  I drove by and shook my head!   But that was then!

Senate staff is rarely invited into the Senate Dining Room in the Capitol Building where Bean Soup is always on the menu by direct legislation.  That privilege is reserved for Senators and their guests.  Fellow staffer Don Ladd, later a General Authority, invited us to lunch with President Brown.  I was so pleased to sit at his left at a good size table with about 20 other faithful Latter Day saints.

There we sat at the confluence of legislative power in the world, really.  All of us loved our jobs on "the Hill" and had likely planned to be of service in government related assignments for the rest of our natural lives.  It was heady stuff to combine our faith and government service over lunch with this great member of the First Presidency.   We visited casually.  President Brown was quite old--in his 90's I think--but his mind was sharp.  He had been a professional military man and an attorney -- a colonel in the Canadian Army when time for promotion to Brigadier General came his way.   He sat in the office of his commander and noticed his open file on the Lieutenant General's desk.   Across the top of the file in big block red letters were the words:  DO NOT PROMOTE THIS MAN.  HE IS A MORMON.  Later he explained in a General Conference talk about his "being trimmed back" like the bush in his yard.  "I'm the gardner here!" he said quoting what the Lord must say to us when he has other plans for us--and seems to thwart our desires for his devine purposes.

President Brown in another of his always eloquent conference talks explained that his dreams of being the first Mormon General since Moroni in the Book of Alma--slowly faded as he realized his service would have to be given elsewhere.   Soon after that he left the Judge Advocate General Corps and, as he told it, was saved from becoming a millionaire in the oil business with a call to be one of the first Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve.  This was back in the day before the Quorums of the Seventy were organized.

At lunch that day, President Brown could sense that I was eager and anxious for counsel from a prophet.  He smiled, put his hand on my knee in a gesture of friendship and love and uttered these imortal words:  "Brother Howe, stay out of politics!"   We all had a tight little laugh around the table!

I went on to be drafted into the Army as a Chaplain's Assistant, worked in radio news in Utah and Washington D.C., served as an Assistant to the Mayor of Provo, Political Consultant with Keith Haines to elect Ken Pinegar to the Utah Cunty Commission,  PR Manager for Utah Tech in the Utah Eduation System and as Administrative Services Director for the short lived campaign of Richard Eyre for Governor.  I didn't exactly obey President Brown's counsel right away.  After the Eyre campaign I promoted myself to concerned citizen and finally kept his counsel.

Over the years I've cheered on the advancement through the ranks of former Ricks College President Henry B. Eyring.  As he was called as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric,  a Seventy, into the Twelve Apostles and most recently as First Counselor in the First Presidency--I've sustained him and agreed that the Lord was promoting one of his very best.

My conviction came from a simple talk to a BYU devotional I will never forget about appropriate gift giving at Christmas time.  He told about two neighbors --  a loving husband and wife who dropped by after his mother's funeral.  They brought a quart of home canned cherries-- something then Elder Eyring's father, the great scientist Henry Eyring loved.   The sons and father sat with the couple,  put the cherries into bowls and visited while they enjoyed the fruit together.  That, he said to all of us paying attention, was a definition of one of the best gifts that can be given-- something needed, appreciated and filled with love.

My friend Terri used to work with the Tabernacle Choir and now does a specialized free lance make up for the general authorities at conference.   She pays attention to how they'll look on camera.

One day recently, she asked President Eyring if he had another pair of glasses--since his were scratched.  He smiled and reminded her that perscription glasses were expensive--and no, he only had the one pair.

Such intimate glimpses into the lives of these great men make them seem almost human!  They are of course.

If God the Father seems unapproachable to us when we pray, he has given us an intermediary that for a while moved among us and became the Savior of the World.  If even Jesus of Nazareth seems a bit distant--even when we pray in his name and mention him in everything we do in the kingdom, Heavenly Father in his wisdom has given us Prophets and Apostles, Stake Presidents and Bishops--and so many other great leaders who roll up their sleeves along side us and model the standards and commandments.

How blessed we are to have known them.  I admit it.  I left Laramie. Wyoming to become closer to the Kingdom.  Though some may have concerns as they discover little foibles and failings, I have never detected a serious breach in the lives of these great men and women who I live near and rub shoulder's with occasionally.

At BYU Idaho, when Elder M. Russell Ballard encouraged us to spread the faith using the marvelous technology of the Internet,  I took him at his word.  In that spirit, I forward this message to those who, hopefully, will read it with interest and relish.  And should you discover these words long after I am unable to Blog or Testify, Know that I not only believe-- I know these men speak, act and care as direct pipelines from above. 

Elder David A. Bednar gave a wonderful talk about being Quick to Observe at BYU.  I have tried to do as young 11 year old Mormon did as a sober child who was quick to observe.  These are some of my observations.  I hope they do you good!  JRH

The Wisdom of Grampa Miyagi

Watching Karate Kid, Pat Morita's performance as Handy Man/Grampa to Daniel calls forth the wisdom of every Great Grampa.  He models the best Gramparenting  in his example and advice to Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Maccio).

At the climax of Daniel's birthday party, Miyagi gives his young friend the choice of all the cars he has "Waxed on and Waxed Off earlier in the film.  As the astonished Daniel finger's the key  and Miyagi's dog tags and lets the reality of his new gleaming wheels all sink into his unbelieving mind, Miyagi delivers a nugget of wisdom typical of his string of one liners:

"Remember Drivers License no substitute for eyes, ears and brain!"  Then the two shout "Bonsai" to each other as Daniel drives off to a birthday date with his upscale girl friend, Elizabeth Shue. 

The film pivots on karate training that, as Miyagi explains is, "Not what seems!"  Wash the car.  Sand the floor.  Paint the fence.  Paint the house develops muscles in Daniel that become important in the competition that climaxes the movie.

Even the little exercise to catch a fly with chopsticks.  "Any man who catch fly with chopsticks," says Miyagi,  "can do anything."  When Daniel actually does catch the fly, after two or three tries, Miyagi drops his chopsticks in disgust and mumble, "Beginner luck!"

Rent the movie, or add it to your permanent collection.  It comes packaged with three other Karate Kid movies:  1,2 and 3 with Ralph Macchio and a lovely teen age girl in Number 4.  JRH