The flawless Inauguration of our 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, brought tears of joy, renewed hope, and faith in the future of our recently attacked, but resilient and abiding democracy. 

January 20, 2021, marks a new era, fraught with many challenges, but with assurance that we can move ahead, pulling together for the common good of all Americans, whatever their color, race, creed, politics, economic or social condition. "Democracy has prevailed."

Kamala Harris is the first woman and first Black and s. Asian Vice President.                                                                                         ***********************

Elder Matovu (returning home to Uganda from his mission in S. Africa) told a wonderful story in our testimony meeting that Sue Allen shared in her blog. I hope she doesn't mind that I share it with you. It's an important message during this time of stress and frustration, when we blame others and the powers that be.

"There was a family that moved a lot because of the father's job.  The daughter went to a new school almost every year, and had a hard time making new friends.  She came home after her first day at a new school and told her father that she was not going back.  Other students had teased and bullied her and she was miserable.  But of course her parents made her go back to school.  After a couple of weeks she said again that she was not going back.  It was too hard.  Her father took her into the kitchen.  He put four pans of water on the stove and turned on the heat.  Into the first he put a stone.  The second got an egg.  The third got a potato, and the fourth got some tea leaves.  They watched as everything boiled and cooked.  When done the father asked the daughter what had happened?  The stone and water were unchanged.  The egg had become hard-boiled.  The potato was now soft and mushy.  The tea leaves had changed the water to be all their color.  The lesson?  We cannot control our environment (the water).  But we can control how we are and what happens.  We can be like a stone -- hard and unchanging no matter what.  We can be like an egg and become hard to the rest of the world.  We can be like a potato and become soft and follow the crowd.  Or we can be like the tea leaves and change the atmosphere around us to become better."

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Zoom is great! Current (Jen Wiener) and past Relief Society presidents of Palo Alto second (now Palo Alto Foothills) ward met via internet January 17, 2021, to share our lives, plans, testimonies and love and appreciation for each other and for "the longest on-going women's organization in the world"!

Sue Allen zoomed in from Durban, South Africa, where she and her husband are serving in the mission office (they came home for 8+ months but continued to serve via zoom) and Andrea Miner, who, with her husband, serve with help only from locals and young missionaries as leaders in the newly created mission in Cameroon which incorporates 4 African countries.

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Unable to join together in person this year, we reflect upon the great sacrifice, leadership, and lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• January:  What a month! I have been packing, sorting, throwing out, donating, reminiscing and and shedding a few tears as I prepare to move to Provo, Utah to be closer to four of my children and all my grandchildren. I leave behind a lifetime of friends, special places, more than enough happy  memories to last the rest of my life. A huge "Thank you" to all who have taught, counseled, entertained, supported, and loved me here in California. You are my greatest treasure. Stayed tuned.........I will be back to visit! And I still haven't learned to take selfies!

 The sun sets over my home and and life in Palo Alto, California, as I pack up my many boxes and move to Provo, Utah, for a new chapter in my life. I will be closer to most of my children and all my grandchildren, but will greatly miss my friends and life  here. I regret not being able to celebrate 2020 with the traditional beloved activities to bring real closure to this long part of my life from birth on.

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  Saturday morning I had a chance to say good-bye to many dear and long-time friends in a "drive-by farewell" (a pandemic solution to our usual gatherings and celebrations). Here are some of my well-wishers. I was too busy conversing to take photos of all. Sorry! Clyde and Donna Pendleton Nanci and Darryl Thomander Joe and Jackie Geist Markus and Sarah Covert Erik, Julia and Nicole Jacobsen Jefferson, Beth, Eden and Stella Bradshaw Monajo Ellsworth and Alice Miller Diane and Bob Reklis and Debbie Benson My son Peter who came out to help me drive to Utah In the afternoon and for a couple of days we visited many of the important places and people in our lives. Here are a few of the significant places.....  Stanford Hospital where I and my 5 children were born     My High School

  The home built by my grandparents exactly 100 years ago, where I spent the first 5 years of my life, where we held our family celebrations for many years 

   

  Rinconada Pool (behind the kids' pool in foreground) where I swam laps every morning until Covid hit. I feel very blessed to have had so many friends, opportunities, growth experiences, and to have been able to raise my family in such a choice place. I know my new life's adventures and lessons will be enriching, too.

  My next blog will be written from Utah, where I will arrive next weekend. Stay tuned!