Mom and Dad News from Feb 2nd

Well, I have arrived! Since I was recently invited by Orrin Hatch to be a member of the Senior's Advisory Committeethat must make me a . . . Senior ~ so watch out! In actuality, this means I went to a meeting where approximatelytwenty five of us met and conversed with the Senator by television conference then exchanged ideas for key notespeakers and workshops for an upcoming 'Conference for Seniors' to be held in April. I felt a little like the 'new kidon the block' but did offer some comments and suggestions.Your Dad had a great experience yesterday. So here in his own words: " The rehabilitated Zions Bank Building was dedicated yesterday. The senior management of the Bank hosted a lunch in connection with the dedication. It was held on the top floor (18th) of the building. It was like being closeup in general conference. President Hinckley was there and offered the dedicatory prayer. Elders Packer, Ballard, and Uchdorf were there, and I had the opportunity to visit with them briefly, plus the entire Presiding Bishopric came. I hosted one of the tables and the Treasurer of the Church sat with me. To me, the feeling was strong that the Brethren are the Lord's anointed whether in a religious environment or not, and it was a great and uplifting experience!! Governor Huntsman came and made some very good remarks. For example, he said that anyone could be the Governor, but only one person could be Scott Anderson ( the President of the Bank). Lavell Edwards, who has been a spokesman for the Bank in advertisements, was also there. Everything went off very well, but it took a real push to get all the remodeling done on time for the dedication. (Just a day before, they were feverishly working to get the interiors of the elevators done!) The building is now very beautiful, and I 'm in a large corner office overlooking the food court of the ZCMI Mall. When In my office I look at a large original painting of the front side of Mt. Timpanogos covered with snow, but with cherry blossoms on trees in the valley."When the downtown redo is complete Dad's office will overlook the garden creek. I am somewhat fearful that will give him an excuse to hang around the bank a few years longer just to see how it all turns out. Thanks to a bank colleague we had a unique opportunity last week to hear the Assistant Concert Master of the Utah Symphony, David Park play selections alternating between Stradivarius and Guarneri violins ~ it was a delightful evening.We heard Swan Lake last night which was wonderful too though your Dad snoozed thru Prokofiev and some of Mozart. I was entranced with the tambourine techniques myself.Chicago connections continue to occur at the Care Source Hospice: Paul Haglund (father), Chris Haynes (mother) was in NSI in the early 70s. ,Michael Varley (whose father,Ray from our ward is a resident) is in the Bishopric of the same ward as Russ Raddon and Bob & Dorene Taylor. You turn around and there you are.We are very happy to have clear blue skys and sunshine after our awful inversion for weeeeeks! It has not been good walking weather so we were happy to get out and about this morning. Now we are looking forward to a fun Chicago connection tomorrow as we gather to watch da Bears win the Super Bowl. It really is just a good excuse to eat Malnauti's Pizza.So There it is ... Love to All ~ Always Mom & Dad