Hey, Dan, feature article and on the cover no less. Very nice. What's nice and depressing along with it is how smart you are. Depressing because your gift reminds me of my lack of same. I'm sitting here at the Mac Pro, listening to a two set Queen album I got at the library today and I can't string a thought and a sentence together. (Maybe it's Queen...? should I put on a MoTab album for inspiration....? Naahhh! Rock on!) Anyway, your courage to "lay it all out there" and tell everyone your thinking, actions, and mistakes of your life journey is really big. I make mistakes on a regular basis, but would never publish them. You are the man! As far as I can tell you are there or close to being "big" as the sort of person you want to be, using the "Size" metaphor that you quote in your article by Bernard Loomer. Good stuff, Dan.
I recommend all you Peeps to read this article by Dan (linked here). It will make us think and evaluate our lives and devotion.
What the Bip!! At the back of the magazine is a notice that Deseret Book has pulled from their shelves the vampire novels of Stephene Meyer. Reason, "When we find products that are met with mixed review, we typically move them to special order status." What's with that? People complaining about cold lip kissing or sparkeling skin? Come on, Sherry, if everything I read or looked at met LDS standards, I wouldn't be reading or watching much. Kisses (warm). Pops
26 comments:
Cool, Dad. I will definitely read that article. Queen rules!
I read your article, Dan. I was impressed and interested, and like my dad, wished I was intellegent enough to understand everything! I think I got most of it and enjoyed reading your thoughts and feelings. Good stuff, Dan. Very nice tribute to my parents. I think back to the time you lived with us, as a 16-17 year old, and realize how oblivious I was to your inner struggles. I remember that time being a lot of fun; you and Ben singing a lot of mormon songs (to the point of being a little annoying!) and you staying up late making awesome chocolate chip cookies! I'm glad you lived with us and I'm glad that it was a positive experience for you. I think the Son's of Mosiah part of the Book of Mormon is my favorite. I liked hearing your thoughts about that and how it influenced your mission and your feelings. I'll be forever grateful for your mission because I benefited greatly from it, too! How would I have met Scott? Thanks, Dan. Love you.
Hey, thanks! My copy just arrived in the mail yesterday, and I was going to check with the Sunstone secretary today to see if any of you guys still got copies of the magazine mailed to you. (I set a few of you up with subscriptions a while ago when I was the editor but I don't know how many issues left you have on it.) Anyway, I was definitely about to send you, George and Janie, a copy with a letter telling you again just how grateful I am for being invited to live with all of you for that pivotal time in my life. Complete answer to prayers that my conscious mind wasn't sending out but I know my spirit must have been.
Eternal debt to all of you. Even you little girls were awesome helps to me while I lived there, making me feel just like a another big brother. Do you remember sending your farts to me in letters on my mission? I think we called them "bubbles." Too much fun.
Besides making the cookies most nights (and I'm still pretty weird about making them the exact same way, including using only the Hobart mixer for them--thanks, again, Geo and Janie, for that wedding gift! Still making great stuff with it!), one of the things I still laugh about from time to time was David teasing me for weeks about how I said "teddy bear" during a tender moment while we were all watching some dumb t.v. show. Do you remember his putting notes saying "teddy bear" all over the house so I'd discover them when I opened up a cupboard or a drawer or got in my car? Way, way funny.
Sorry, Mose and anyone else who may have suffered through it, about how annoying Ben and I were, I'm sure, as we got ready for our missions. Those were pretty exciting times getting all revved up. And my pleasure introducing you and Scott, Amy. I feel really good about all the joy of your marriage and all the joys it's brought to others, too, and think at times that I'm so happy I could do something to bless all you Wrights back for all the ways you each helped me. And the road trip to the Holiday Bowl with you, Ben, David, and of course Mr. Road Bosom and Grey Flannel Cologne himself, is still one of my happiest memories ever (though I cringe that we did the "baptize" cheer even in public places--yikes).
I'd be very happy to send along to anyone who'd like one a copy of the magazine with this essay in it. Just let me know! I also have a pdf version of it I can email to anyone who asks. And here is the web address (I don't know how to insert it as a link) where you can read a html version of it (that doesn't show any of the design elements and is missing most of the italics put in various spots for inflection, etc, but I think otherwise is pretty complete): https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/stories/pillars-of-my-faith.html.
A neat thing, too, was having Sue and Cat there last August when I gave this as a talk at the Sunstone symposium. Thanks, again, for coming you guys! Hope and Alex have both mentioned more than once enjoying hanging out with you at Dennys that night, too, getting to know you both better. You are a couple of very cool women.
Anyway, way too long a post! Much thanks, again, and love to all of you.
Dan
P.S. Really crazy w.v.: clumilyw (clumsy emily w?--is that fitting at all?)
Maybe a little clumsy?...but for sure, a somersaulter! She did it everywhere she went around the house!
Now, I remember the "teddy bear" thing. I had forgotten. That's pretty funny. I also remember a couple of forgotten batches of cookies in the oven, discovered burnt to a crisp the next morning!
I also remember the very embarrassing "baptize" cheer, especially at Knott's Berry Farm! Why did that happen?!! Fun trip with fond memories of "stupid Winchell's Donut boxes!".
That was fun going to your Sunstone thing. I got to hear what Dan wrote live, hahhaha.
The dinner at Denny's was a lot of fun. The best part was when someone joked to our waitress that Alex wanted to take her out. At first she kind of laughed it off, then she came back a few minutes later and asked if he was serious. Alex had to tell her no. Awkward! Poor girl, had to wait on us the rest of the time. She kind of deserved it though, that was a pretty desperate move she made.
Perhaps a little clumsy. But not epically so.
Haha about the "bubbles", I remember doing that. I also think mom actually sent Ben a plate of the burnt cookies on his mission for a laugh. Now thinking about it, I sure hope she sent him some good ones too, or that would be a very disappointing package to get on your mission (however funny).
I am at work tonight and just printed out the article and mean to read it as I stand at my post (rather boring night so I am sure I will be able to read it no problem). I also created a link on the post dad wrote, so anyone can link there. By the way, with the mentioning of linking, it crossed my mind that perhaps you and Jeanine would like to be made contributors of this fine blog? We love your comments and wouldn't mind some of your own thoughts and movie suggestions. If you are interested, I will need your blogger account info (just the email address I believe).
By the way, I have never heard that teddy bear story. I'd kind of like to know the context of you saying teddy bear-- it is really fun to hear an old story about Dave's antics. Seem like a lifetime ago...
I also would like some details of this baptism cheer. I am morbidly curious.
Another by the way--- I enjoyed reading your article and hearing first hand a bit of your life journey and mind workings (however much of it I was able to process and understand).
I too was totally ignorant of all your troubles during that time, I was just happy that fun cousin Dan got to live with us for a while! I'm sure you have had a lot to reflect on why your life led you in the directions it did. To go on a late mission and meet your wife and cousin's husband because of that must be mind-boggling and humbling. I always like to think that things happen for a reason and look back on difficult times and reflect on them. Sometimes there is no discernible reason we can see, but sometimes it smacks you in the face.
Thanks for reminding me of the black cookies story, Mose. Your mom really got a kick out of that. Her line over and over that next morning was "There's a little Rebecca in all of us!" (referring to her mom who was suffering from Alzheimers at the time). Man, I sure made a lot of cookies back then! She had those 5lb bags of chocolate chips and I just kept powering through them. Amazing you all stayed skinny!
The details of the actual show we were watching that generated the teddy bear tease are lost on me--something heart-warming that must have included a child receiving a teddy bear or something and that elicited my saying, "Ah... teddy bear." David then immediately started imitating however I said it, which of course got everybody laughing (and probably me in one of my famous convulsive-laughing-so-I-cant-breathe fits). Anyway, he kept it up for a few days and then launched into sticking the notes everywhere. One I remembered after writing about it the other day was a note stuck to the popcorn popper in the pantry. Neat guy, that David. Lots of fun memories of him and his gentleness and good humor. Really a sensitive soul.
As for the baptism cheer, we must defend ourselves by saying that Scott was just a few weeks off his mission when we went on the trip, and Ben and I only home a few months longer. I guess somehow we got talking about a cheer that missionaries would often do after having group prayer or before heading out the door for the day. In a circle, everyone would stick their hand straight out into the center of the group and then sort of wrap their fingers into a curl together, then raise the group of hands up in the air a foot or so and then bring them down together while loudly saying "Baptize!" Not all that outrageous a thing when you're on a mission and it was kind of fun to teach our road-trip gang, but oh do I cringe when I think that our group did that a time or two while waiting in line for a ride at Knotts and who knows where else! Helluva fun trip but man, that was pathetic! Hope this explanation satisfies your morbid curiosity, Em. Know that I'm morbidly embarassed!
Thanks, all, for your kind comments on my reflection in the magazine. Pillars of My Faith is a long-running Sunstone tradition where we ask a person or two each year to take about a half-hour to try to organize their thoughts on what ideas or experiences have most shaped their lives and where they are spiritually today. It's a great exercise that brought me a lot of tears as well as soaring spirits in the weeks of collecting my thoughts and writing it.
Your comment, Em, about things working out the way they do because of some overarching reasons is totally in line with my thinking. When I have more time, I'll share a bit more in that area.
Good comments, guys. That whole before mission stay and then the after mission trip and the dating of Arnold and Scott really brings back some memories. Some of which I repressed and many I welcome back. I remember the doberman cookies a lot (brown & black) Very tasty and C.chip are still the best! I knew nothing about the bubbles and don't remember the teddy bear notes and tease. I was pretty oblivious about all that was going on around me in those days. What does epically mean, Ems? I do remember you as a sumersaulter big time. This whole family talk makes me both sad and happy. I am so glad you guys all are doing and being what you are and do and all seem to get along. Sad for the memories of David and how cute and talented he was and fun until the 11th grade and C2H5OH
and now he won't talk or communicate with us. I see old youth pictures of him and how happy and smiley he was and I cry. Thank God for you peeps and the love you express.
I agree, Dad, it's been kindof sad remembering some funny memories of Dave. I wish we could reconnect with him. Never too late!
Dan, your description of the baptism cheer was great, but I seem to remember that as we raised our arms we said, "aaaaaaaahhhhhHHHHHHH...(then we said)BAPTIZE!
Am I right?
Epically- a sad made up word I did when I was trying to hurry at work (and after a long, long day) perhaps should have been "epic-ly" if that makes any more sense. Probably not. It was as in: I don't think I am legendary in my clumsiness, but it would be fair to say I am a little.
Thank you for stretching your abasement and explaining your baptism cheer, Dan. Returned missionaries are weird, but when you think about it, you are in a totally different world and mindset while out in the field then the rest of us. Finding out that Amy and (please tell me he did it too) Dave joined in and it was a "trip cheer" kind of counteracts my allowance for the fresh missionaries and makes me giggle.
I remember the "stupid Wenchells Donut boxes" was a favorite line of the trip. Dave. It is a little sad to know what we are missing out of. . Sorry Dad, I know it's hard on you.
Definitely a big aaaaHHHHHH before the Baptize! Forgot about that.... And I do think David joined in. He had a great time on the trip, I think, except when he stepped on that Winchells donut box! Fun how "moments" just happen. Maybe I'll post sometime soon on memories of the whole trip (though I'm sure most of it would be re-telling--but maybe B hasn't heard all of it before) as there was definitely a lot that happened that is worth some giggling, Em.
Hey, who will send me David's address? Would love to send him a note.
Does anybody have his address???
I don't remember participating in the group cheer very many times. If I did, I was usually looking over my shoulder making sure nobody was real close. Dan, how you EVER got Scott to do it, amazes me. You must have really had an influence on him. I have no recollection of Dave chiming in.
I was the supposed leader of the baptize cheers? No frickin way! Had to be Scott! (Maybe I'm repressing memories here, but seriously? Me?)
Yeah, that doesn't really sound like something my dad would do. He gets really embarrassed about stuff like that.
"baptize cheer"! We got to get Scott to teach us some Monday night. Sounds kinda cheessey, but fun! I'll get from mom Davids address. We looked him up when we drove to Portland for Haleys & Marcus wedding. He promised to stay in contact, but we haven't heard a word from him since. He was staying in a hole and Maggie was dying. I hope he would respond to you if some of you would write and see if you could establish contact. I'll put the last address in this comment column. I'm at the airport now.
Sorry Dan, but I think it was totally you! I'll ask Scott when he gets back in town, but no way would Scott lead that cheer or anything like it in a public place.
And it had to be one of you two, we all plead totally innocent!
It was fun reading all your comments. I am so grateful to you guys for embracing Dan at such a tough time in his life. You know how I have always looked up to my big bro. You were wonderful to me all the summers I worked at the farm and stayed many nights too. Very good memories. Aunt Janie felt like a mom at times when ours wasn't able to be there for us. Love you! Who could forget our Grinch skits? Sweet David as Max the dog. I too feel so sad he isn't in contact with you all. I would love his last known address Uncle G. The article was awesome my bro! Perhaps you can send everyone the copy of your great talk at the symposium. I need to get it too. You are such an eloquent speaker. So proud!
Here is Dave's last known address: David W. Wright 1624 F. Street, Sparks, NV 89431 (775) 331-3844 I would be supprised if he is still living at this address, but give it a try and It might get forewarded or something. He's a soul worth going after.
Scott was in full romancing mode on that trip. Seems to me, he led out in EVERYTHING!
I actually have trouble imagining me as the leader of that embarrassing thing. I can't recall even ever liking doing it in the mission field. I wasn't one of those missionaries who was into all the "Sure love you, Elder" stuff that some guys thought was essential to missionary life.
Anyway, who knows? All I know is that we did it and we'll just have to deal with the shame... To me, worth it as all the other fun still wins out in the memory banks.
Thanks for reminding, Jeanine, about David playing Max! Fun stuff, for sure.
Great to have his address, George, thanks! What does everyone think: would it be too weird, too much like we're making him a "project" were several of us to write him all at once? Should someone start and then report on any possible response or lack of? I've been composing a note to him in my head the past few days and am happy to write first, but I am also fine if someone else feels really inspired that they want to write him immediately. Thoughts?
The truth usually works. Tell him that we have this family blog thing going and lately we have been talking about the Holliday bowl trip and Dan living at our house before his mission and we remembered fun stuff with Dave. It made us realize we miss him, etc, etc. I don't think it would matter how many wrote to him. It can't get worse than it is and he is not hostile nor mad at us. Just lost!
You're right, Pops. It was sad that Sue wrote him a great 5 page letter with no response before Mom & Dad contacted him. I think we should all try to do it in the next little while. Maybe he'll have a hard time ignoring everybody. I think you should go for it, Dan.
I agree with Amy, Dan go ahead and write and we will follow. It can't hurt for him to know how much we still love him and miss him. I believe in timing and you never know what he is going through right now. I can't imagine how sad it is especially for you Uncle G but I know he doesn't mean it. Take care.
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