I wrap up this Veterans Day with gratitude for the voices of the next generation as expressed by the students at Sky View High School and North Park Elementary. Each group of students, from the youngest to the oldest, showed respect and appreciation for the group of veterans assembled. I was quite touched by this kind letter I received from one of the 5th-grade students at North Park. Note the wisdom expressed by this 5th grader! It will be my…
Tonight’s gift from Cache Valley… AS THE SUN DOTH SET By Les Patterson Tonight’s fading sun Framed by dying leaves Echoes quietly Peace for those who grieve. As the sun doth set Closing out each day Though we bide for more Night won’t hold at bay. Same is true of life An ending doth come At some point for each No matter where from. Yet peace we can take Assurance be true The Son doth rise For me and for…
What is it we truly see When we look upon others When we look upon ourselves? TO TRULY SEE By Les Patterson Be it the selfie Shining light on the moment Or a lifetime of moments Shining light on the true self. From each we choose What we wish to see And that which we see Is what we truly choose. Though others may observe Something not really there That which is really there Is what you will truly observe….
A hymn we sang today in church reminded me of a backyard conversation I had several years ago with a neighbor. I was feeling a little overwhelmed that day by all the things I felt I was supposed to be doing to live my faith. My neighbor kindly listened then gently reminded me that the gospel is actually pretty simple. Don’t make it too hard he was telling me. That was the confirmation I felt today as we sang the hymn,…
FAVORITE FALL By Les Patterson Fading sun Falling leaves Frosty morns Frigid eves. Friday night Football games Friendly fans Festive fame. Finger gloves Flannel shirts Flowing scarfs Fashion perks. Friendly kids Folksy shawls Feisty felines Favorite fall. Base Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash. Thoughts of inspiration come in many forms, and may be expressed in many ways. The collection of stories, essays, and poetry shared under Red Edge Perspective represents some of my personal efforts to Gain The Red Edge through creative expression. Thanks for letting me share.
How has your life changed because of the events of 9/11? Some of you weren’t old enough to remember that day. Others have since married, started families, changed careers, or moved homes. Life has moved forward, as it should. While we are concerned about the normal worries of everyday life, today we have the opportunity to pause for a moment of reflection. Perhaps you’ll connect with a few of my moments. MICHAEL ALLRED & RON WOOD Michael Allred was a…
I’m excited to announce I was selected to have an article published in the inaugural edition of The Overcomers Magazine. The mission of The Overcomers Magazine, led by Jessica Sellers, is to “share key principles that will allow a person to overcome any hardship by following in the footsteps of those who have been through similar trials. None of these experiences are easy, but we desire to communicate hope in solutions.” To that end, of communicating in hope of solutions,…
Separating families is bad policy, plainly wrong, and cruel. On the surface, it could seem “staying away” from the wall is the answer. Unfortunately, or perhaps, fortunately, it’s much more complicated than simply staying away from the wall. If I was a dad living in Mexico, and faced with a severely corrupt government, extreme poverty, violence on the street, sickness and disease, and no future, I would do everything I could to find something better. I would even walk across…
It’s a wonderful blessing we have of being fathers. Even with all the challenges of raising kids, even with the self-doubts that may discourage our efforts, and even with those times we feel we may have failed, there is incredible joy to be discovered every day being a father. I’m grateful today for the many fathers who figured a role in my life, particularly my own father. Of all Dad’s examples which permeate through my life, when times were the…
Memorial Day is our time as a nation to remember those who have gone before. Specifically, it’s our time to remember those who have given their lives in service to our country. Cemeteries come to life with scented flowers and fluttering flags. Families gather to remember. History is shared. Connections are remembered. I wrote this little poem a couple years ago as we placed flowers on family graves in the Logan City Cemetery – Flowers remember a moment in time…