Skip to main content

What's in a name?

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.


- Romeo and Juliet


Honor your fathers and your mothers. Honor the names that you bear, because some day you will have the privilege and the obligation of reporting to them (and to your Father in heaven) what you have done with their name.


- George Albert Smith

My name is Fredrick William Cobabe, III. I am named for my father and for my grandfather. I have always been proud of my name, proud that I shared it with men of such character. I know that as men we are fallible, that we have faults and weakness. But I have come to understand that weaknesses are given for us to overcome, like the enemy that they are - the enemy of our peace, of our happiness, of our eternal progression. God gives us these weaknesses so that we can be strong.

Some of these weaknesses are spiritual, mental, or psychological. Others are physical.

Last night grandpa had a heart attack. He's in the hospital right now. I am not afraid for him, though. I know the kind of life he's lived and where he's headed. I would like to spend time with him again, if God is willing. But if God needs him, His will be done.

Grandpa has seen a lot in his life. He was married to my grandmother when he was just 18 - she was just 16 (!) - and they have had an amazing go at life together. They've suffered all kinds of reverses, had amazing blessings, and laughed and cried together through it all. God has been kind to them for the most part, giving them assurances and hope for a better world.

I have never known grandpa to say a cutting or negative remark about anyone. He is so full of patience, love, kindness and understanding... I hope that someday I can measure up.

Grandpa always has time for questions. He is never impatient or cross. He loves to sit and talk and tell stories.  He can never finish his own jokes without laughing so hard he can't even finish.

I miss you grandpa. I hope you get better. I love you. I am proud - so very proud - to share your name.


*** UPDATE***

Just got a note from grandma - (sic) :-):

rHEY PUT A sTENT IN bILLS HEART LAST NIGHT AND HE IS DOING MUCH BEYYER TODAY. wE APPRECIATE ALL THE PRAYERS AND CONCERN.bETH WAS WITH ME AND jIM SO WE ARE DOING BETTER TODAY. i HAD SURGERY ON MY RIGHT FOOT ON fRIDAY SO i CANT DRIVE YET jIM IS MY CHAUFFEUR Oh I just looked at what I am doing and did not know the caps lock was on. Sorry about that.I never did learn to type as you might have guessed.Any way Bill is doing better and I had a good nights sleep. The sun is shunning and the daffodils and tulips are blooming!!!! It is a good day here. Hope you have a great day also. Love Mary

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baptism

Yesterday Ellie was baptized. She turned eight on January 27, 2020, and she made the decision to be baptized. I want to tell you a little bit about Ellie. I have never met a child that is quite like Ellie. She is full of life and fire and joy and light. She knows no fear and is infectious in her passion for life and for goodness and for FUN!!! Above all things, she seeks the joy and fun in life. She is also wickedly clever and funny, she’s a delight to be around and makes everyone feel so good. Because she is happy, she wants everyone else to be happy. I first met sweet Elizabeth in 2018, and on the day I met her she was not feeling well. We decided that a movie would be a fun thing for a sick little girl, so I brought one of my favorites to share with her - The Neverending Story. When I got to the house, I picked her right up. It had been a very long time since I was able to pick up a girl, and she snuggled right into my arms. Her poor sick body was warm, but I was more impressed ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Excommunication

My heart is heavy this morning. I read that Kate Kelly and others are being brought up on Church disciplinary action. For those who are unfamiliar with the process/proceedings of LDS Church discipline, it can be a bit mystifying. There are several levels of censure that the Church may impose. These range from a simple removal of some privileges for a short period of time to the most severe action - excommunication. When one is excommunicated, the person's membership in the Church is terminated. It is a very extreme measure, and for the faithful it can be a very difficult thing to consider. What people don't understand - what is nearly impossible for someone outside the proceedings to understand - is the amount of love felt. It's discipline. It's intended to be harsh (at times). And it's intended to be unpleasant. But it is done with love and care for the person. Since excommunication is such an extreme measure, it is really only very rarely applied. There are ...
18 comments
Read more

Ephesus

Paul got around. Ephesus is right on the Aegean Sea, on the coast of present-day Turkey. Yesterday he was in Galatia, which was much more towards the middle of Turkey. And when he actually wrote these letters, he was in Rome... So the man could travel. He probably walked. Today's item of interest comes from chapter one in Ephesians. Verses 18 and 19 are particularly interesting: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power This is not the first time Paul talks about an inheritance. In Galatians he talks about the inheritance that comes of being part of the Abrahamic Covenant. He notes that we are joint-heirs through and with Christ. In Ephesians, he uses the word "adoption" - that we are adopted as the Children of Jesus Chris...
7 comments
Read more