Defining Vision

by Shauna V. Brown

      Recently two of my sons-in -laws had eye surgery to improve and correct their vision. Both have had to wear contacts or glasses in order to see. As one can well imagine they anticipated the coming clarity and vision improvement.  

        Steve was evaluated and was approved for Lasik. Jon had astigmatism in his eyes that required the photorefractive keratectomy, PRK procedure.   Both knew the procedures, possible side effects and the successful outlook for both. Reviews and raves came from all sources concerning both procedures. 

        Steve, upon completion of his Lasic surgery was over the top excited as he responded quickly and with positive delight--- “I can see. It only took seven minutes and I was done.”   

        Jon followed a few weeks later with his PRK surgery and found it to be different story from Steve’s. The surgery took a little bit longer than seven minutes.  There has not been such a quick fix or focus. PRK reshapes and sculpts the cornea using an excimer laser, then they insert a lense to allow for healing.  It will take weeks to heal. Jon was sensitive to light and wearing dark glasses gave him moments of relief.  He excitedly observed that he had seconds of clarity, then sudden loss of vision which turned into blurred shapes, shadowed shapes and then clarity again. Each day the pain has lessened and his sight is continually improving. 

        I know I am hypersensitive to any eye operation or procedure. This caution and concern was generated when my mother needed to have a cataract removed years ago. The implant slipped soon after the operation and her eye hemorrhaged. She lost all central vision, leaving her with extremely limited peripheral sight. I watched for years as she struggled to see. Aided with a large magnifying glass she could only see the large letters of the newspaper and read a sentence bit by bit. She missed her world of sight. 

Mother wanted for a miracle, and I knew she had faith enough. Words within her journal read:  ‘it was a very confining life.’   

         Back up, did I just say ‘her vision became so limited?’  Perhaps her outward vision - what she could see of her world, was distorted and lessened. Yet, all the while, Mother sensed the need of magnifying her faith and trust in God. Perhaps today, Mother would rewrite that sentence to read: ‘it was a very defining life.’  

      Mother had vision, not the 20/20 wished for, but she had clear vision for things of eternal value.   

      Charles R. Swindoll, an evangelical Christian pastor, defined vision: 

“Vision is the ability to see God’s presence, to perceive God’s power,  

to focus on God’s plan in spite of the obstacles.” 

        Yes, that was my mother. She understood and focused her attention to God’s plan and His will. Her loss of sight was an accident and she blamed no one. Her loss of sight was in deed an obstacle. 

I remember mother counseling me on serveral occasions when I faced ‘obstacles’, “Shauna, you must have unwavering faith.” 

      Unwavering faith, Mother practiced it, and lived it. I am grateful that Mother frequently shared and testified, as to how God did provide the blessings, power, and miracles in her life, in spite of the numerous challenges and obstacles.          

        All of us have,or will have set backs, stumbling blocks, and some of our obstacles will cause us to rub our eyes to see through the tears, “Is this for real?” Yes, we all will have blurred and even dark and desperate challenges to overcome, therein, we must look to find the Master. 

      Mother waited four years to have her other eye operated on, as she feared for her total loss of sight. She prayed mightly that God would bless her. I just have to share a portion from her journal:  “ I went for a post operative exam at 7:00 a.m.  I removed the shield. What a thrill! I could see as clear and perfect as in my yourh. The moon was still in the sky. How beautiful! How magestic! It was the first time in years that it looked natural. Before the operation it looked like eight or ten moon lapped on top of each other. Joy filled my heart, I was back in the world of the living. . . Later I went for a walk . I could read house addresses, even across the street. I could read license plates on cars. I could read street signs and traffic markers. I could see flowers and identify them, they were no longer just a blob of color. What a beautiful, wonderful world!”        

To see, what a gift!

Lately, I am relieved as I hear Jonny say, “It’s getting better, I see a little better each day.”  

May you and I seek to see God’s purpose in our lives--a little better, a little clearer each and every day.

  Enjoy the Sabbath

Love always,  Shauna

It’s Time to Swing Again

This morning as I was returning home from driving Rick to the church... I began singing spontaneously...
Climb every mountain, forge every stream . 
Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream. 
From that melody it took me home to childhood memories and melodies.
 As a little girl I spent many hours swinging from our clothes line posts. Swinging and singing was time of anticipated enjoyment. I could swing for hours. I’m sure it was then  when I learned to appreciate God’s beautiful world.
Mother taught me numerous songs and I can still remember every word of my favorite one when I would swing:  
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing  
Ever a child can do!  

Up in the air and over the wall,          
Till I can see so wide,  
Rivers and trees and cattle and all  
Over the countryside—  

Till I look down on the garden green,  
Down on the roof so brown—   
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!  Written by Robert Louis Stevenson,

Precious memories. I frequently thought that if I could swing high enough I could see farther, perhaps even into heaven. As from one vantage point I could clearly see the capital building resting on the hill in Salt Lake. At sunset the Great Salt Lake was gleaming before my eyes.  I remember how empowered I felt as I could see over into the backyard of Neeleys, or rhymthically peeking into the backyard of Blakes.  I recall frequently being frustrated as I looked at their tall swing. It seemed to be almost twenty feet in height. I wished, and longed that I could swing upon it, so much bigger than ours.  Imagine all that they could see. That is when I first learned about wishing and hoping.  Yet, I found contentment in my own wonderland. It held enough imagination and possibilities of life. Even with the squeaking sounds of rubbing chains upon the clothesline pipes. It was a special time for a young girl. A girl who then only knew that the sun would rise in the east and set in some incredible golden toned sunset. 

Recently there have been those moments when I want to participate in tippy toe adventures into someone else’s yard, and pretend for just a moment--to have. It’s funny as I come back to the ground I realize wherein contentment is found.  I am asked now to climb mountains that I can’t even see. I am experiencing a rainbow moment. Surrounded by all the colors, plans and vivid scripted possibilities.  Daily I sit upon my swing holding onto faith and clasping the rope. Within the rhythm of daily living I can feel heaven brush against my cheeks as answers to my prayers are whispered on the wind. It is within those moments and pondering that I am finding the peace that is promised.  
When mother called, “It’s time to come inside.’ Reluctantly I slowly dragged my feet upon the ground. I stopped and promised to return. As there was still too much to see, and horizons unexplored.  
Up in the air...   Till I can see so wide.
I continue to sing as I breathe deep and lift my feet and place hands firming upon the ropes.  With all the faith one can muster we will learn to rise and see all that God has in store for us. Great vistas of learning.  Imagine how much more we would appreciate the sunsets as we realize they are the peaceful impressions that God is writing upon our hearts.  
Today I see there are more sunrises to enjoy, flowers to pick and plant and lives to touch, as well as testimonies to be born.  Jesus has walked the pathway for me and sprinkled seeds to grow within my soul. 
Let me share a quote that I came across by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. I was seeking a thought to post within the seminaries... 
“When you are confronted with challenges that are difficult to conquer or you have questions arise, the answers to which you do not know, hold fast to the things you do know. Hang on to your firmest foundation, however limited that may be, and from that position of strength face the unknown.” 
 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Created for Greater Things

I sense that Elder Holland loved to swing as well.  Enjoy the sabbath.

Seek --  All That is Good

A week ago Rick and I climbed aboard the “TRAX” and rode into Salt Lake City with a few of our family members. We were interested in seeing the recently completed  “City Creek Center”.  All of the grand opening celebrations had concluded and some of the 50,000 daily guests had  lessened -- not!  It was crowded, hundreds, if not thousands had decided to visit the plaza just like we had. It was fun to see all the hustle and bustling around the downtown area once again. City Creek  has been years in the construction.  From the looks of everything Salt Lake City is thriving. It has become a central addition and influence for the city. 

I took a few minutes to observe the movement of people from a balcony position. In every direction I could see people in progress. Moving here and there,  entering and exiting stores, pushing stollers, carryng shopping bags, everyone with a goal or purpose in mind. 

          The many beautiful fountains, designed by those that created the fountains at the Bellagio  in Las Vegas, seemed to invite and welcome everyone’s touch and observation. I delighted in watching the children play in the fountain’s water.Their faces reflected joy as they danced in the water cascading. Everywhere you looked there was fresh fountains, or flowing water streams. Doesn’t really look like a shopping mall--it’s beautiful 

          North of the City Creek Center is Temple Square and the beauty continued north. It was a perfect walk in the park. By tradition the tulips had awakened the joy of color. Giant orange tulips, white poppies, blue for-get-me-nots, purple pansies. . . to name a few. I took pictures, as I want to appreciate the abundance of spring, and new beginnings.

      Rick and I stepped away from the family who wanted to do some shopping. We then enjoyed a journey back in time with some memories and  experiences on temple square.  

I took a picture of the door that once led into the baptistery. I was baptized there 54 years ago. My mind genereated a few thoughts and special feelings as I pondered my tender memory of my good father holding my hand and walking me into water. We had practiced prior to going to Temple Square just what I was supposed to do.  It made me smile just knowing that I had been so prepared and ready for baptism. 

        I snapped another picture of the Assembly Hall , where I had performed with my high school seminary choir, as well as the BYU’s Sounds of Freedom several times. 

        Just looking at the Tabernacle brought back so many experiences to mind. As a young girl our family frequented it, especially on General Conference Sunday. We always looked  forward to  the presentations by the Sunday School.  The Tabernacle was too where I sang with several performing groups.  One sweet memory was when I was twelve I was featured by the church as the “Beehive” representing the girls of the church.  It was the Golden Beehive Jubelee.  I had my picture taken for the newspaper standing by the podium.

Temple Square has often made me feel ‘at home.’  Perhaps it because of all the sweet memories, moments and lunch breaks that I was able to spend there. Working at the Federal Reserve Bank allowed me to walk up and enjoy my lunch hour every day. Some of my comfort came from all the flowers. I smiled as I thought of my mother making friends with the gardener on Temple Square years prior.  She wanted to learn about gardening. He became a good friend and teacher. He had given her numerous flower starts, bulbs, seeds, even tree starts. After which our own yard on Parkway Avenue was reguarded by many as a true garden of beauty. So in my thinking mother and daddy had indeed created a “heaven on earth.”

      

     Our walk through the gardens was refreshing. It wasn’t just the colors. I believe my spirit was soaking in the sacred beauty. There within a city wall was God’s varieties of all kinds--even people. 

       If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

       In today’s world I believe we must seek diligently to fill our minds with virtuous and lovely thoughts, surround ourselves with goodness. Learn and study and fill our minds with all that is uplifting. It is up to each of us to generate goodness, and beauty.

        Speaking about generating beauty I encourage everyone to go down to the Church Museum across from Temple Square and see all the works of art that have been entered into the annual Church competition.  As you enter the building’s foyer you will see a delightful piece of art made of stained glass. It was made by Yvonne Bent, ( my niece). It’s white framed (door) invites all to ponder the beautiful elements of God’s garden.  With light coming from behind it is the perfect introduction to the art.  If one knows Yvonne, one realizes that she is constantly seeking to learn and then share her knowledge. Congratulations Yvonne, the piece is beautiful. 

       Walking back to join the family Rick and I took our time. It isn’t often that we go downtown.  However, it allowed me to think about a vision once held. There were fountains, spacious buildings, people pushing and people being lost by the wayside. It was so real as I could see it before my eyes. It led me to question: where I am in God’s plan or visioned picture? Am I focused, truly focused in things that matter most?  Am I dipping into waters that seem too inviting?  Are there fads and fashions that are tempting?  Are the voices louder than the ones I should listen too?  It is good to ponder at times and discover one's footings.

     

Seeking that which is good, is becoming a necessary standard. There are so many distractions in this very busy life of ours. To choose between better and best is a daily juggle. I like the words diligently and steadfast, and I pray that I will hold strong as I walk the path. 

 

A thought I shared at the seminaries this week:  

“Our task is to become our best selves. 

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying

 again, for no failure ever need be final.”  Pres. Thomas S. Monson  

Love to all,

   Shauna 

                                 Fitted Family Sheets

by Shauna V. Brown 

       My parents enjoyed a wonderful life together. They were married for over fifty two years. After my father passed my mother wrote letters to him. She was a widow for twenty years after. It was her way of dealing with her loss and loneliness.  I am grateful that she saved them, for they have allowed me to peek even further into their relationship.  Oh, such love they held. I am also thankful for her letters as she shared events that transpired, feelings felt, desires and wishes that she wanted her sweetheart to know of.   

         In one of her letters she shares a story that was given during a stake conference. I was filled with laughter when I read it and felt it would be so appreciated, especially by those who have an interest in Genealogy.  I quote from her letter: 

     “I’ll have to tell you something funny.  James Mortimor is our Regional Representative.  You know him, he was manager of Deseret Book.  

      While talking to us at conference he told us how unique we are as a people, because of the Gospel.  He said this is a true incident:  “A non-member couple lived in New York. The husband was transferred to Salt Lake by his company. His wife worked for J.C. Penny in New York, so she sought to transfer too. She was given a job in Penney’s at the Cottonwood Mall. The only position open at Penny’s at the time was in the book department. 

     One day a lady came in the department and said she wanted some “family group sheets.”  The non-member clerk said, “Oh, you are in the wrong department. You will have to go upstairs to Domestics.” Then looking very perplexed she added, “I know they have King Size sheets, and Queen size, but I’ve never heard of these “Family Group Sheet” before.” 

                 

        I laughed. I’m sure there are many unique and unusual terms we “Mormons” use that confuse those not of our faith.  

        While I thought momentarily about the “family group sheet,” it instantly sent my thoughts back to those moments when my own sweet children would crawl or jump onto the bed beside me and Rick. A bed brimming with children, our family group sheet, filled with love and laughter.   I will always treasure those moments. It was so simple then, to tuck them into bed, tell stories, bestow kisses, say prayers, turn out the light and the world felt good.   

        Family.  I often ponder how and what my “family ” are doing on the other side of heaven.  Recently I place my ‘family group sheet’ on the table. I’m trying to link my family lines. There are a few names I recognize, but not many. I wonder about my Grandpa Alfred C. Johnson, does he still sing and drum upon the door?  What was it like when my Grandpa George Van Wagenen got his eye sight, as he wentblind in his later years. Does my Uncle Glen play musical instruments in heaven? Does my mother-in-law still collect tea cups? Do my parents still take long walks together? Does Great Grandma Josephine Brown know that she has inspired me?   

        What would they tell me? What messages would they want me to hear? What would they encourage me to do while here on earth? 

        If I could write a letter and know that it would be delivered to the other side of heaven, I would want them, my “family group sheet” to know how thankful I am for their example, patterns, principals, beliefs, courage, faith that they have placed within my heart.  I am ever grateful for the stories that have been preserved. Thankful that they made the time to write their histories, so that I might learn from their experiences.  Shared their testimonies, so that I could feel of their strength.  

        We are all part of in incredible ‘family group sheet,’ stretched from corner to corner and tucked in.  Family is central to the plan of God. 

        As a little girl, when saying my prayers I would try and imagine that I was kneeling down beside God’s bed. I hoped that he was listening to my prayer.  I am grateful that I learned early that he listens. I know he has answered my prayers as well. Sometimes it has taken years for the answer to come, but they were answered.  

        I have had moments in my life when I needed a fluffy comforter tucked around my shoulders, and tender warmth bestowed. I wanted to feel of His love, longed for soothing caresses and have felt of heaven’s peace.          

  God gives each of us a promise:   “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”  (D&C 88:63.)    

        Family is central to God’s plan and purpose. “Family Group Sheets,” says it all. Without family  … ? 

        Enjoy your Sabbath while pondering that question?  
Love always, Shauna