The Other Colbys

Layden and Zane. Two very cool (and handsome) men.

Last weekend President Monson reminded us womenfolk that everybody has shortcomings, and that we shouldn't spend time gossiping about them. Sounds easy. But I was glad for the reminder because sometimes I forget. And I had to remind myself of the times when I have seen somebody for more than their quirks and been nicely surprised at the person I found.

Hold that thought.

Uncle Layden (Zane's big bro) and Aunt Sarah came for a visit this week from their current home in South Korea. It was delightful. It was too short. Uncle Layden spent a few minutes (in full dress uniform, thankyouverymuch) with Wilson's 2nd grade class. He answered their cute questions and spoke to them as a Chaplain as well as a soldier. He reminded them that we need to treat people as people. Sounds easy enough, right? Just like President Monson said? He said (I'm super-paraphrasing because I'm not as wise or articulate as Chaplain Colby) that if we all thought of people in other countries as people, then our world would be a better place. You know, no wars and stuff.

Later, back at home, we watched this video again and it seemed a great illustration of that point. Everybody likes to dance like a goof sometimes and laugh, no matter which country or language or skin color or politcal party or anything.

Layden has a lot of decorations on his dress jacket that mean he was brave and did cool stuff in places like Iraq and Bosnia but he just blushes and pretends it's no big deal if you ask him about it. I liked when he told the children that the medals and badges he wears to honor his service are to show the people of the United States of America that he is working hard for them. Oh, and he also plays the banjo and climbs mountains all over the world and speaks about a bajillion different languages. Uncle Layden rocks.

And, as the saying goes, behind every good man is a great woman. And thus it is. Aunt Sarah is cool. She and I like the fact that even if we didn't have to be related, we would still be good friends. She knits, weaves (with a real loom), paints, knits, reads, teaches, knits, travels the world over (did I mention she knits?) and supports her husband and the soldiers he watches out for. She gets the kids the best books and presents. She is a terrific girlfriend, auntie, mother, wife, daughter, etc etc. We miss them already.

As with all of our visitors, we had to spend an evening in Powell's Sweet Shoppe. Eliza was excited to find a tin of mints with her name on it!

Thanks for making us part of your world tour, L&S! We love you!