Thinking

Today, and yesterday, I'm watching the 183 semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I'm loving it. Always when I watch conference I am inspired, and I feel like I want to and can be a good person, better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today. Why not feel that kind of hope and optimism? Why not? With all I know and have been given, why not?

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Two weeks ago I went to my 55-year high school reunion in Santa Monica, California. Some inspiration from that, too. Like from Ted Armbrister, who, like me, is 73. He is a defense attorney. Still. Not retired. He told me he will retire when he no longer enjoys what he does and for now he loves his work. He also told me I was always an inspiring person to him, someone he often thinks of. How nice.

We ran against each other for student body president. Pretty daring of a girl to do that, since there never had been a girl student body president. It was the 1950s, remember. But, hey, I thought it was time.

The girl lost, that's me, but not by much. But I guess losing by a little is just like losing by a lot. I still remember Ted's campaign speech. It was based on this saying, "A fighting team is never beaten." It was about football. And I will say it was inspiring. It must have been.

Like Frank Peabody, who--and I'm not kidding--looks exactly the same as he did 55 years ago and who has the same energy he had. A cheerful, pleasant, positive guy. Someone I gave not a lot of thought to in high school but who inspires me now with his friendliness and encouragement. Funny word, but it seems right.

Like Monica and Linnea and Donna, who not only look very young for their years but who are good, generous people. Kind to any and all at that gathering. I know, because I watched them. It's charm and confidence, but it's more than that. I say it's goodness. And it's inspiring.