Author Archives: Roslyn

Those words often conjure up pictures of picnics, campouts, gatherings with friends, and lots of food and fun. Other pictures comes to mind, however: a woman, weeping as she kneels with a handful of flowers at the fresh grave of her husband; a man at the cemetery, standing by the marker bearing his wife’s nameContinue reading ” Memorial Day Weekend”

I’m speaking tonight at my Toastmasters group, and my topic is “Authentic Happiness.” Boy do I need that topic today. I just got home from dropping off my 19-year-old son, Christopher, for a two-year mission to Taiwan. I will only get to talk to him four times in the next two years – on eachContinue reading “Authentic Happiness“

Richards  Hollow Trail, Blacksmith Fork Canyon For her birthday, my oldest daughter Brooke asked if I would accompany her on a hike, high in the alpine mountains above Hyrum, Utah. First you have to know that she is more than twenty years younger than I am – and has always had incredible energy and drive.Continue reading “A Slower Pace”

“I’ve never felt so alone…” His head bent, his words halting, the recent widower could say no more, and covered his face with his hands, weeping. Haven’t we all been there? Feeling alone driving in the car, alone at dinner, alone sitting at church, and the very worst, alone at night in bed. Craving theContinue reading “Alone”

For her birthday, my oldest daughter Brooke asked if I would accompany her on a hike, high in the alpine mountains above Hyrum, Utah. First you have to know that she is more than twenty years younger than I am – and has always had incredible energy and drive. She accomplishes more in a fewContinue reading “A Slower Pace”

After my first husband died, I  attended a conference for widows and widowers. We were sitting in circles of 8-10 people, sharing our stories, commenting on the different life we were leading now, compared to life before our spouse died.  Several of the people shared the same sentiment: “I feel like half a person now.Continue reading “Just Who Do You Think You Are?”

Have you ever felt a wave of discouragement wash over you, erasing any sense of self-worth you may have had?  Has a cloud of darkness ever settled on your mind and your heart, creating a sense of hopelessness?  Have you been filled with thoughts of anxiety because of the unpredictability of life, making it impossibleContinue reading “Unknown Waves”

I heard a quote a week ago that has been on my mind ever since. It was attributed to President Thomas S. Monson “The key to happiness is to do your duty.” I wondered, do I believe that?  I thought of how often I see advertisements that seem to suggest that happiness is based onContinue reading “The Key to Happiness”

“As worry and concern start to descend upon me, these words from a favorite hymn often come to mind: “…so, when life gets dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.” I generally try to focus on the things that I can control – my thoughts and actions; my intentional responses to the words and behaviorsContinue reading “When Life Gets Dark & Dreary”

 I’m a grandma of 11 grandsons and 9 granddaughters. And I’ve been associated with Life Changing Services and Eternal Warriors for over a decade, so I know much of what the parents of my grandchildren are up against when it comes to keeping these youth safe in a corrupt world.   I have worked with enoughContinue reading “The Power of Grandmothers”