Patience...and ME

It has been said that patience is a virtue... I think it is one virtue that will require a lifetime for me to attain.

According to Wiki...

According to Wiki...

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. The phrase "patience is a virtue" is just a way of expressing the importance of being patient. A virtue is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. 

Since I believe that morals and character matter, and I believe that morals will usually be taught by religious practices, here is what I discovered...

Judaism:  Patience and fortitude are prominent themes in Judaism.  The Talmud extols many stories regarding the personal trait of being patient as being important.  Many proverbs in the Torah talk about the need for patience. 

Islam: Patience in Islam is one of the best and most valuable virtues of life. Through patience, a Muslim believes that an individual can grow closer to God and thus attain true peace. It is also stressed in Islam, that God is with those who are patient

Eastern religions: In Buddhism, patience is one of the "perfections" that a bodhisattva trains in and practices to realize perfect enlightenment. The Buddhist concept of patience is distinct from the English definition of the word. In Buddhism, patience refers to not returning harm, rather than merely enduring a difficult situation. It is the ability to control one's emotions even when being criticized or attacked.

Christianity:  Patience is one of the most valuable virtues of life; it is considered one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.  Many proverbs in the Old Testament teach the importance of attaining and maintaining patience though out ones life.     

Patience and ME...

Over the last few years I have realized that patience it is one of those qualities that I truly admire in people, one that I am trying so very hard to develop. By nature I am always in a hurry. Several years ago when I was riding the Seattle to Portland bike race (200 miles) my friends would laugh at me and say. "Heidi hurries so she can rest and wait".  I missed much of the conversation and beautiful scenery on that bike ride because I was in such a hurry to get to the next stop, the stops were my focus and not the experience. 

STP June 1989

I sometimes feel like a river rushing down a mountain canyon that can't wait to get to the bottom only to realize that is not where it really wants to be.  I want to be that lazy river that winds and meanders though the country side taking the time to enjoy the sites, sounds and views of all it passes. Why do I want to hurry all the time?  I need to run when I need to run, walk when I need to walk and as I get old I might need to CRAWL. When my life requires me to wonder and wander I need to do just that. Life is not a 50 yard dash it is an individual marathon - and I just need to stay on the course, the right course for me and I will finish.   


I know that I want the SUN to shine everyday, but then if it did many things would die and wither away...so even though I would like the SUN to shine everyday of my life it just simply can't, I must learn to be patient and love the rain. The rain in our lives is a blessing not a curse, it is what nourishes and provides us with the ability to grow. I have never really enjoyed the gray cloud filled days of living in Seattle - but then those days when the SUN is out and the sky is blue - I can't think of a more beautiful place to live.  It is the clouds, rain, and storms of our life that seem to make the SUNNY days brighter. So I need to be patient with the rain clouds that sometimes come into my life - because eventually the SUN always does shine again.

The SUN is getting ready to appear again.  Whidbey Island, July 2009

A Rose is a Rose

I have been spending a lot of time wandering and wondering.  Now that I am back in Thailand I am trying to decided what kind of person I want to be in the next chapter of my life. During my course of wandering I found this wonderful parable, by Ralph Gardiner that has given me much thought the last few days. 

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully, and before it blossomed he examined it.  He saw the bud that would soon blossom...and he also saw the thorns.  And he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?"  Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was able to bloom, it died. 

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose… the Godlike qualities planted in us at birth, growing amid the thorns of our faults.  Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns...the defect.  We despair, thinking that nothing good can possible come from us.  We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies.  We never reach our potential. 

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone must show it to them.  One of the Savior's greatest characteristics was that he was able to show people the Kingdom of Heaven within them.  He was able to reach past their thorns and show them the rose. This is the characteristic of love...to look at a person, and knowing his faults, recognize the nobility of his soul, and help him to realize that he can overcome his faults.  If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns.  Then will he blossom.

Our duty in this world is to help our brothers and sisters by showing them their roses and not their thorns.  Only then can we achieve the love the Savior wants us to feel for each other; only then can we become perfect as He wants us to be and blossom in the garden of His Father.  

It is so true, sometimes all I see are my thorns.  I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those people in my life that have helped me to see the "rose within".  By knowing what others see in me I am able to "conquer my thorns".

May I too remember to show others their "roses within" and so that we may all bloom were we are planted - where ever that might be.  For me it is currently in Thailand, away from family and friends and yet the garden here is just as beautiful, and it too is blossoming like a rose.

Last Days...

The eight weeks that I was able to spend in the states this past summer just flew by.  John and I found ourselves with five 70 pound suitcases packed and ready to go to the airport all too soon. But I just had to have one more family dinner so I could get enough smooches and hugs to last until next summer.

My last pictures of AUSTIN...at least until they come to Thailand in December.

My family..Mom and Dad, Shelby, Gene, Me and Suzette 

Laura with Cristina

Aunt Heidi and the Twins, Maddi and Lexi, sure love them

John showing Rugby moves!

Then it was off to the airport...I miss my family already!

Nana is Missing

Love these photos... but where is the one with Austin and his Nana?

Laura and Austin

Audrey, Toren and Austin

Papa Spader, Nana Spader and Austin

Two is Better then One

After lunch one day I went a grabbed two tootsies pops, one for Austin and one for me.  Austin wasn't going for that - he wanted to help me keep my "NANAISH" figure so he saved me the calories (all 25 of them) and decided that two is better then one!

I am a "SUCKER" for this little guy!

Things that Matter Most

When I look at all the caos that is going on in this world,  I love to go back through my summer pictures and think about the "THINGS THAT MATTER MOST".  The moments that I had to spend with family, either in Washington, Idaho or Utah this past summer are precious moments that mattered to me.  It is the simple things that you do that can bring joy and happiness in your life - not to mention the...SMILES

Audrey, Toren, Austin and Baxter the Beagle enjoying the beach.  Look close enough and you can see me having fun too!  Love those things that matter MOST!

A MAN's Work

It never ceases to amaze me how little boys will almost automatically gravitate to tools, machinery and my grandson Austin (1) is no different.  I came back to cabin after a long run to find Austin trying to use the boat dolly.  Aunt Laura was too busy - checking to see if she spilled her on her shirt (inside joke) to help him.  So being the good Nana that I am, I showed him the intricacies of turning the crank. I think he was pretty proud of himself - what do you think!

A "Crabby" Day

I love "CRABBY" days at the cabin.  Dungeness crab, freshly caught, freshly cooked, cleaned and dipped in a little fresh lemon butter - now that is how you do a "CRABBY" day in the summer.

Toren, Papa and John getting the boat and crab pots ready for the catch of the DAY!

John (16) and Laura (20) with Toren having some fun "CRABBING" around!

Catch up, cook them, clean them and then you get to EAT them!

A very "Yummy" summer day!

A Boy, A Dog and a Big Disk

I have always said that all boys really need to be happy is a nice wide open space, a dog and a big stick.  My John (16) is no different - well except for the big stick he had a big red disk!  Kids are growing up so fast..it was great to watch him be a "BOY" again!   I love you John!

A Good Airing Out

As mother it was so much fun to watch my children became "DIAPER" Free. (The boys especially like it!)   Austin loves to have a good "AIRING OUT".  Our beach is the perfect spot to be free of all the restraints of the padding paper covering the unmentionables - Austin agrees with his NANA!!

Sand Castles

One of my favorite places to spend summer days is our family cabin on Whidbey Island. 


I have been spending summer's here for the past 50 years and it was fun to be able to take Austin over for his first of many visits to the "Spader" cabin.


It is the perfect place for a Nana to play with her grandson.  As I watched Austin play in the sand I couldn't help wondering if my grandma watched me do the same things a mere 50 years ago.