Children's Literature

Last night, I watched a staged version of Oscar Wilde's story, The Selfish Giant. It was very well done, and I loved the story. Today, I checked out a copy of The Fairy Stories of Oscar Wilde. I really enjoy reading them, especially out loud with distinct voices for each character. I think back to many other children's stories I've come to love in the past couple years. The Little Prince and The Phantom Tollbooth come to mind. I love children's literature for their great wit, for the truths they teach, and for their undeniable charm.

RA's

Today I am grateful for the resident assistants in my apartment complex. I like to think of myself as a low-maintenance tenant, especially since I usually haven't had much reason to figure something out with the RAs. But tonight, I had two issues to figure out with them and in both cases they were very helpful, and I appreciated that. One even called me back and apologized for missing my call. I was quite satisfied, and I am grateful for their work.

Enough to Tip

I may not make very much money as an undergraduate student, but I'm grateful that I make enough money to tip waiters, hair stylists, and others who need money as much if not more than I do.

Elder Peter Totten

At this point, I can't recall whether or not I have expressed gratitude for my brother here. If I haven't, shame on me. If I have, I'll do it again now. He just had a birthday, and he completes his two-year mission in less than a week. I am grateful for my brother because of all the times we have played, laughed, learned, performed, served, and lived together. I am excited to see him again and to attend the same school with him again soon. He is hilarious, very friendly, very cheerful, and he has been very passionate about sharing the truths of God with people around him while he has been serving as a missionary. Peter, thank you. You are awesome. I'll see you soon. :)

Handwritten Letters

I am very grateful for handwritten letters. I got a lot of them during my two-year service as a missionary, but since then they have been relatively scarce. To me, written notes and letters are expressions of appreciation and real friendship. I do enjoy nice text messages or e-mails as well, but there's something about a letter that sets it apart from other written or typed communication. I love how they can be kept instead of stored in an inbox or deleted. When I see a letter in the mail my day is better because of it, even though it's usually such a small thing. It's interesting, isn't it?

EFY

EFY means "Especially For Youth." It is a week-long youth camp put on by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints every summer for youth ages 12-18 throughout the country. There are multiple sessions of EFY going on every week on campus, so my school is overrun by EFY kids right now. Last week was the first week, and this week begins another session. This goes on all summer.

I don't mind, really. I was a high-school kid once, and I attended EFY once (when I was 18). It involves games, spiritually enlightening presentations, social activities (including a couple of dances), and a talent show. It is all for the purpose of encouraging each young person to improve their personal relationship with God, and to have meaningful social interactions with their peers. I enjoyed it when I went, even though some might not care for it. What I am grateful for is the enthusiasm and the unbridled positivity expressed by this plethora of EFY people on campus.

Sure, I'm among the few students that walk to class next to the crowds of teenagers going to EFY activities, but I'm grateful for the good that the EFY program accomplishes.

Violists

My sister plays viola, one of my awesome co-workers plays viola, and I discovered a viola player this afternoon. While I was visiting people in my apartment complex, playing my cello for them, I met someone who plays viola! I recruited her for a musical number I was organizing for next week's church meeting.

I am biased towards the cello, but aside from that, the viola is my favorite string instrument. It is so versatile, and in recent decades a lot of music has been written and discovered for this special instrument. Today, I am grateful for people who play the viola.