Pumpkins, Politics, and Perfection (And Garth From Wayne's World)

Editor's Note: I should mention that in no way do I find the three subjects in this blogpost title related at all...particularly the politics and perfection. 

Pumpkins

I've never really cared for Halloween much. In fact, the last Halloween I really remember getting dressed up for and participating in must have been 1993 or 1994. I was Garth, from Wayne's World--which looking back on should have won some type of 'best costume award' from the church in Bountiful that was throwing a Halloween party. But, instead, I grabbed the microphone mid-party, asked for everyone's attention and provided a very Garth-like "Scchhhwwiinngg", complete with the famous body gesture.

The party stopped. I put the microphone down and carried on with the activities--only to find out later what a faux pas this really was.

However, this Halloween I've been a little bit more excited--because of my very own little person to decorate unbeknownst to her and laugh and be entertained. While she won't be a character from a Lorne Michaels movie, she will be Repunzel and it will be adorable.

The other day we took a walk, the three of us, to a nearby pumpkin sale and purchased a few pumpkins for our porch. We threw little E up on the table in her bumbo and began carving the pumpkins. You'll see from the two videos below, just how insanely funny she found this to be (of course, Annie's antics aren't on video, but they would be reason enough for a great laugh).

The second video is where she really picks up the pace with her laughter and it was at this moment that I realized that I could rally behind this whole Halloween thing. Pumpkins will always mean a little something more to me now. :)

Politics

I generally hate politics and generally feel like most candidates are more concerned with themselves than they ever will be for me or my family.

However, this year, I've had some other thoughts along with my usual cynicism. I've been extremely grateful that Etta will grow up in a country where she does have the luxury of freedom--regardless of what politicians do.

Besides, it's been kind of nice this year during the debates and political ads that run relentlessly on television...Etta and I have been able to do something together during them all--vomit.

Perfection

I think a lot about perfection. Almost too much. In fact, you could say that I am perfect when it comes to thinking about perfection.

If you know me, you know just how imperfect I am (calm down...it's true. I'm sorry if this is a surprise to any of you). But I think about my imperfections all the time--to a fault, I think.

Truly, I preach to other people that they should give themselves some slack at times. That they should understand their imperfections can be a blessing and that they can learn from them. But when it comes to me, I don't afford myself the same benefit for some reason...instead, I just beat myself up for them (another blog post for another day my friends).

Where I'm really going with this is that even with all my imperfections, every day I am able to hold something that is perfect. I'm able to look into the eyes of perfection. I'm able to shake the hands of perfection. I'm able to tickle the legs of perfection. Kiss the cheeks of perfection. Rub noses with perfection. Feed perfection. Hug perfection. Smile at perfection. Cry happy tears at perfection. And of course, that's little E. She's perfect.

I was watching her earlier today while I laid beside her next to her floor toy thing (which she loves!), I watcher her blink. I watched her eyes move side to side. I watched her grab for the toys and kick her legs. I watched perfection operate and it made me happy. I don't anticipate that I'll ever know the joys of what it's like to feel perfection in oneself, but I know the joys of watching perfection every day.

And that's what I've learned from pumpkins and what no politician in the world can take away from me.

Two Guys I Don't Know

I didn't know Border Patrol agent Nick Ivie (although I know his mother quite well).

I don't know famous mountain climber, outdoorsman, and inspiration for the movie "127 hours", Aron Ralston (although I like to think that after working closely with him while he was the keynote speaker for our Nu Skin convention last week, I can say I know him...right???).

I don't think Nick Ivie knew Aron Ralston at all either--but both men had a big impact on me in very different ways last week...and in very real ways.

Basically, the chain of events began on Tuesday, October 9 when I received a phone call from the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University--the venue that we were using for our 2012 Nu Skin Convention.

My contact at UVU was calling to ask me if Nu Skin would be able to change our schedules around a little bit to accommodate the memorial and funeral service for Agent Nick Ivie--who was killed in action down on the Arizona/Mexico border.

There were several other phone calls made, I'm sure, and I'm happy to know that both Nu Skin and our vendor, Webb AV were willing to put things off for a short time to accommodate the memorial on Thursday, October 11.

Webb AV had set our stage up on Tuesday and Wednesday and when I showed up for a technical rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon, I was surprised to see a funeral rehearsal taking place instead.

I parked in the back lot of the venue and when I got out of the car I heard bagpipes playing from inside the arena. I walked in and found more than a dozen Border Patrol agents rehearsing the proceedings for the next day's funeral.

The bagpipes were leading a band in the arena before practicing their exit. The pallbearers were rehearsing their walk and how they would carry Agent Ivie's casket into the arena and how they were going to exit the arena.

I took a seat several rows up in the bleachers and took my notebook out to start working on some stuff during their rehearsal. I was immediately drawn to the rehearsal. I was quickly touched by what I saw. I put my notebook away and sat there quietly. Alone in the arena while these agents rehearsed the funeral of one of their own. I sat there watching them fight their emotions. I sat there with my own emotions.

On the screens on the stage was a slideshow of photos of Agent Ivie--ranging from when he was young to his days in training with the Border Patrol to his days as an agent to his time spent with his beautiful family.

Pictures of him and his daughter flashed across the screen and I could tell through just those photos the type of love he had for his daughter. I sat alone in the arena bleachers, with tears filling my eyes. I had to take deep breaths to keep from losing it. I had to wipe the tears away.

I didn't even know Nick. I never met him. But I know exactly how he felt about his daughter--because I feel that about my daughter. I resolved right there to always love my little Etta as much as I can each day. I resolved right there that I never want her to wonder if her dad loved her. I want her to always know how much I love her. I want her to never have to think about it--just like I could tell Nick's daughter felt.

If something should happen to me, I want E to have no doubt that she was loved by her daddy.

The funeral rehearsal ended and our convention moved on. Moved on to Friday night--where Aron Ralston came to speak.

Aron was great to work with through his rehearsal (led by the great Shelley Gardner) and through his time at the venue where I got to work closely with him by helping the great Jill McMullin (both ladies are legends in the events world!).

I stood with Aron right before he went on stage and I had the chance to talk to him one-on-one. He was very kind and he spoke with such resolve. In the middle of a story, his intro finished and he headed out to stage.

I had the chance to sit in front of the house for a change during his speech and he continued to speak with great resolve. Resolve for each of us to remove our own boulders in our lives. Resolve for us to find what really matters in our lives. Resolve for each of us to make the best of each day.

I sat there, in the same arena where I sat for Nick's funeral rehearsal, this time with thousands of people, and my emotions were the same. I wanted to do what's best for E. I want to help her remove any boulders she'll face in her life. I gained a perspective that I hope I can remember forever.

It's rare when a convention or event ends and I feel motivated, but after the week's events I did. I was motivated to be the best dad I can be for E. I was motivated to love her unconditionally.

While I'll probably never hang out with Aron Ralston again and while Nick Ivie never knew who I was, I'm grateful for both men. I'm grateful for the opportunity both men's lives afforded me to reflect on my own life.


Maybe someday I'll be able to thank them both. In person.