More of Pete's Ponderings

I often find myself trying to understand Myna's emotions. As a father I would like to think that whenever she cries it is because she has a need that I'm not meeting. I quickly look for resolutions to the problem. But I've spent more time lately thinking about Myna, and who she is.



When I arrived in Mexico, back in 2003, I had lots of reason to be confident. I'd excelled in my Spanish classes. I had been a leader at college. I had high recommendations and much support from those who knew me in the US of A. But from day one in Mexico I realized that no one was going to ask me about my recommendations, or how I'd done in my Spanish classes. In fact, even if they had asked me these things I likely wouldn't have understood. I struggled to communicate my basic needs to others. Just by removing my primary means of communication I found myself in a situation in which others looked upon me as a needy creature, with barely the capacity to take care of myself. In essence, I was as convincing of my credentials to the native Mexicans as a baby would be to a group of college professors.



Myna, on the other hand, despite her many talents, abilities, references or credentials with which she might assert her confidence and strong character, has been separated not only from her ability to communicate, but many of the abilities and freedoms that her spirit may have possessed only while unencumbered by a physical body. She has been separated from those who speak her language and who would provide motivation and support. And she is restricted to a new existence that is unfamiliar to her - a physical existence.



I cannot be sure how much things have changed for her. I don't know what she gave up to come to earth and to be with us. But I have many reasons to suppose that she has strong credentials and references outside of mortality. Indeed, I believe that she was among those who "received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord." (D&C138:56) And I have reason to believe that she excelled in those first lessons. Now I am to provide further lessons to her. I try not to overly concern myself with my inadequacy as a teacher. Many of my most valuable instructors in Mexico where those who simply hoped to be my friends. And in this spirit I will rather concern myself with being her friend and support. We'll make of this life a training ground in which we'll grow together, and have experiences of magnificent proportions, never to be forgotten; all the while establishing a relationship never to be lost.

I can do and say happy things each day (but, no one understands me!)

Meeting Grandpa Al.Getting pretty.Getting smart.Getting cheeky.Getting sleepy.

Getting into mischief.

****The following image contains nudity*****This is what happend when mom lets me play just "for a minute" while she throws away my diaper. "The diaper was directly under her when I left," claims the defendant.

Myna has been rolling for a few weeks, but last night was extremely deliberate - she's got some determination when it comes to getting out of tummy time.

I Have a Family Tree with Branches by the Dozens

I have GrandpasI have GrandmasI have UnclesAuntsand Cousins!

Ogzewallas, Balzas and Isabel and yummy food

My Blessing Day

Rock Chalk

Snoop Dog - mi amigo favorito Great Grandma and Aunt Mary

1 Month Old!

Pete's Ponderings

Love is an emotion

An emotion of devotion

And it is developed by those things which propel us to devotion

So what is the propulsion to the devotion emotion?

There's no potion for propulsion toward the devotion emotion, but the ingredients are endless, for example:

1. Ashley smiling at me


2. Ashley holding my hand


3. Ashley singing


4. Ashley dancing in the kitchen


5. Ashley's Mexican accent


6. Ashley pondering the deep and perplexing things of eternity with me


7. Ashley reminding me when my parent's birthdays are


8. Ashley making cookies for me


9. Ashley deciding to host a chowder fest at our home


10. Ashley helping me fill out official forms


11. Ashley noticing everything about me except my mistakes


12. Ashley devoting her life to Myna


13. Ashley being the most incredible mother in the whole wide world

I believe the above sampling of examples is sufficient for me to draw my final conclusion, which is that I am a man with no more tendency toward love than Paul Bunyan, but with sufficient propulsion that my devotion and love toward my wife and daughter can be determined to be greater than any other man's on earth.