Remember, Remember.

10.05.2010

Sometimes I get kinda bummed about the world. I'd say for the most part I have a pretty optimistic outlook on life, but when I watch the news or hear tragic stories about a friend and just think, 
why are people so bad? 

And then I remember the hippie guy at the bakery in Kauai’i who saw us peeking in the windows an hour after he closed the shop--he came around back and surprised us with two, giant chocolate-chip macadamia nut cookies that still visit my dreams on occasion. 

I remember the photographer on the cliffs of Hawaii who could tell we wanted a picture together so he offered to snap one for us and it ended up being one of my favorite pictures of the trip.
 I remember the older German couple that we met at the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific who invited us to stay at their home in Germany if we ever came to visit then proceeded to give us their address, phone number, email and then took us out that evening to talk of marriage, family, and religion. 
I remember the lifeguard on the North Shore who found out that I loved fruit, so he went inside to give me his lunch--a juicy Mango fresh from his tree! 


I remember the lady at Albertson’s who searched the whole store to find me some Basmati rice when she could have just said they didn’t have any. 

I remember all the young couples that woke up early on a Saturday morning to clean the church or the nighttime call from my 3 year-old niece in Arizona to tell me “Grandpa is so happy. His heart was cut up in pieces, but the doctors took it out to fix it and now he’s all better!” 
I remember Ma & Pa Nielson paying for our hotel in Salt Lake so that we could go to conference with them and see family
It was a HOT day in Salt Lake, but a beautiful conference
Cousin Reunion at Kneaders...Mmm
I remember my high-school teachers who went above and beyond to make their lessons interesting and entertaining even though their students were sometimes less than respectful; or the Hispanic immigrant farmers that sell me their delicious homegrown vegetables with a smile at the Farmer’s Market in Rexburg.


I remember that unexpected package from my sister-in-law, Becky, full of everything I’d need to stay warm in the snow for my first winter in Idaho. 

I remember the construction worker on the Light Rail who promptly gave me his seat, because I was a lady and he, obviously, a gentleman and my thoughtful husband that brought me home my favorite treat after a long day of studying.

There’s a lot of good stuff going around, sometimes it’s hard to see through all the smog, but if you’re lucky enough to have been in Arizona at nightfall you know that it’s sometimes through the smog we find the most breathtaking sunsets.
What Do You Remember That Gives You Hope?

15 comments

kylee said...

absolutely loved that post. thank you for the reminder that there are so many beyond wonderful people out there!

jamiebarazoto said...

It looks as if Marcus and that German fellow shared a romantic tropical drink! ROMANCE!

Anonymous said...

hello! i love this post! i also gave you a shout-out on my blog this morning. check it out!
http://alwaysanotherdecision.blogspot.com/2010/10/first-thanks-thanks-thanks-to-megan.html

Anonymous said...

You made me tear. I absolutely adore this post and got your link through Erin ^^. My kids give me hope. All 4 of them in 4 different ways. The people I talk to with BIG ideas give me hope and just knowing that, no matter what, things are going to be ok gives me hope. Thank you for the reminder. <3

Unknown said...

What a great post!

Kathryn said...

I love this post! Love it! I also loved the parade of Halloween costumes and used it as inspiration to get my teens excited to dress up again!
One Easter we took all 9 of our kids to Cracker Barrel for Easter dinner, we lived far away from family and I wanted a break from cooking every single holiday meal all by myself. When we went to pay for our dinner we found out that an elderly couple had already covered our bill. What an Easter gift, and a huge surprise! People can be soo good!

Single-Mother Land said...

Thank you for this :)

What a beautiful life you live

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

appledapple, i LOVE this story! thanks for sharing.
so what are your kids going to be for halloween?

Kate Giovinco Photography said...

I just did a similar post a few weeks back and I did one yesterday about happiness. What makes me happy.

http://indigobleuphotography.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/happiness-is/

http://indigobleuphotography.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/i-want-to-remember/

It pretty much boils down to family and friends. I am a lucky girl.

Kathryn said...

I'm trying to convince the family as going as characters from the board game Clue, I think they're going for it...even my teenage sons..AWESOME!

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

oh my goodness! how fun! when i was a little girl my family had a clue murder mystery party and i just sat there in awe looking at all the fun costumes! good luck :)

Caley and Jason said...

Thank you for this :)

What a beautiful life you live

Erin said...

hello! i love this post! i also gave you a shout-out on my blog this morning. check it out!
http://alwaysanotherdecision.blogspot.com/2010/10/first-thanks-thanks-thanks-to-megan.html

bloggirl1019 said...

It looks as if Marcus and that German fellow shared a romantic tropical drink! ROMANCE!

kylee said...

absolutely loved that post. thank you for the reminder that there are so many beyond wonderful people out there!

© i believe in unicorns. Maira Gall.