Issue 35.10

I recently came across a book written in the seventeenth century by Sir Walter Moyle.  While reading one day a passage caught my attention, “I think our success and salvation depend largely on how well we can eliminate idle moments from our lives and dedicate ourselves to hard work, which is impossible without effort and concentration.”  While pondering what I had just read, I realized that there is something we each have equally but don’t always spend equally…time.

Time is the essence of all of our opportunities.  We can neither speed it up, nor slow it down.  It can’t be saved, bought or borrowed.  We each have 24 hours in every day.  What we choose to do with our own 24 hours determines ultimately who we will become.

Why then do some idle away their allotment of time?  There are many factors which we may consider, but I believe most of us allow ourselves to be controlled by fear.  When we entertain fear, it cripples or paralyzes us. He who fears loses strength for the combat of life, for the fight against evil. Therefore, the powers of evil ever seek to bring forth fear in human hearts. In this day of sorrow, fear walks with humanity. It directs, measurably, the course of every battle. It remains as a gnawing poison in the hearts of otherwise courageous men and women. We as a people of this great land must seek to dispel fear from among us.  A timid, fearing people cannot do their work well.

Preparation is the key for overcoming fear.  When we take the time to plan and prepare, we open up the windows of our heart for hope to come in.  Hope for a better us, hope for a better world.

Here at Pine View Mortuary we are all about assisting you in planning for the future and hopefully, eliminating fear. Call us today and set up a time to sit down and spend some time eliminating the fear that will eventually come if you are not prepared. (435) 986-4222.

Issue 30.10

Recently I was strolling about a campus of a great University located here in southern Utah.  I was overwhelmed by the magnificence of the buildings and the wondrous library filled with art, literature and great books.  The thing, however, that seemed the most impressive was the students so intent with their studies.  Their minds seemed to be engulfed in an educational sphere so far away from the current one I was on.

Never before in the history of our world has knowledge been so accessible.  It seems that we are able to “Google” anything for an immediate answer. What a powerful thing this is. The extent of this knowledge is truly amazing. It encompasses the stars of the universe, the history of nations, the biographies of great men and women, the function of governments, the structure and function of the human body and the mysteries of the mind.

With all of this knowledge one would think we should be coming closer to a perfect society. Yet, we are consistently made aware of the sicknesses, the pains, and of course, the ever-present death that comes to us all. As I contemplated this I realized that education is more than science and mathematics, more than history and literature. For an education to be complete there must also be understanding.  As the book of Proverbs so eloquently puts it, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”.

Even with all of our knowledge we are still not aware of how to inhibit the pains of grief and sorrow that come from the loss of a loved one.  Now I do not profess to have all of the answers, but I do have answers of how to handle the services of a loved one that has just passed on.  I know how to celebrate the life and legacy of one who has lived and pay tribute to a life that has meant so much to family, friends and the community.

Come in and discuss how to obtain the knowledge of paying tribute to a person worth remembering. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Ryan Wallis can be contacted at Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 986-4222.

Issue 26.10

Healing comes in many different forms.  Most of us have scraped a knee as a child and watched in awe as the skin replenishes itself leaving no sign of a previous wound.  We also can remember a time when our mother’s sympathetic words helped heal scratches or hurt feelings.  Usually it is in the sincere, heartfelt feelings and words of others where healing has the greatest power.  Many broken hearts have been healed through someone who has taken the time to really care.

At some time in life we all have to experience the heartache of a loved one passing away.  This is often one of the most difficult times in life as we adjust to life without that person.  Funerals provide a gathering place for loved ones to come together and reminisce on a life lived.  It is a time to mourn but also a time to celebrate life.  I am reminded of a poem that inspires us to carry on:  

Things may not look well

But then you never can tell,

So carry on, old man, carry on.

Be proud of your mission,

Greet life with a cheer,

Give it all that you’ve got

That’s why you are here.

Fight the good fight

And be true to the end,

And at last when you die

Let this be your cry:

Carry on, my soul, carry on.

(See Robert Service, “Carry On!” in Masterpieces of Religious Verse, ed. James D. Morrison, New York: Harper and Row, 1948, pp. 307-8.)

At Pine View Mortuary we are here to assist you in the planning, the grieving, and the celebrating of your loved one. Contact us today to see how we can help you. (435) 986-4222.

Issue 20.10

Some time ago I was speaking with a friend of mine, a general contractor by trade, about the construction of a house he was building. Simply seeing the skeleton structure of the house gave it an enormous appearance.  I inquired of the square footage of the house and was startled to learn that it was actually much smaller than I had previously imagined. The response he gave has stayed with me, “When you see the home without the walls it always appears bigger.” This has caused me to reflect and wonder, as we live our life, are we too building up walls?  Are we so focused on the walls or barriers that we forget about the necessary bridges that must be built for the benefit and use of our children and grandchildren?  I am speaking metaphorically of course, but I hope you see the big picture.

Walls are usually built to separate two or more entities physically or mentally. They are built to ensure the idea of defense, protection, or separation. Walls are also used in our common speech to separate us socially. In contrast, bridges are the exact opposite of a wall. They are built to join together two or more areas that have been previously separated. They also may be built to assist us in avoiding danger.

In one way or another we are all builders on this earth, but what are we building? What have we spent our life doing, building bridges or walls? When our life on this earth comes to an end the answer to that question becomes clear as loved ones pause to reminisce and reflect upon our life.  Let us use the time we have now to build bridges of faith, love, kindness, goodwill and lasting family relationships.  It is never too late to build a bridge.

Pine View Mortuary is here to assist you in building the bridge we must all one day cross. Let us help ease the burdens of those left behind by planning now. Contact us today to see how we can help you. (435) 986-4222.

Issue 15.10

Recently my wife of twelve years gave birth to our fourth child, a girl.   It was a welcome surprise after three lively boys.  It also caused me to reflect on the qualities I sought for in a wife prior to my marriage.   Of course, in my less seasoned years I thought I had the perfect qualifications for what I considered a perfect wife; good looks, good cook, good education, money and a sense of humor.  Today, however, as I look upon my wife and my little daughter, I see a quality that was not on my priority list that I would greatly miss if it was not present, integrity.  How I adore the value of integrity.

Integrity is vital, in fact it’s the life line in business, in marriage and in all relationships.  Integrity is doing what you say you will do; keeping promises made to yourself as well as others.   It is being trusted to do the right thing regardless of the consequences and who is watching.  It is the substance of honor, performance, livelihood and character.   To me there is nothing more beautiful in this world than a person who is honorable to himself and to his fellowman, who is clean in thought, in word and deed.

It is no secret that we as a people and a community are in an economic slow-down, which occupies much of our thoughts and conversation.  Author H. Verlan Andersen wrote, “Today the test of propriety of a proposed law or political platform seems to be how it will affect the economy.  The politics of virtually everyone appears to have become largely materialistic.  The effect of government action on moral, justice, and freedom seems to be ignored.”  What then is being said about integrity?  Is it also to be abandoned for the sake of an economic solution?  I submit that there is no substitute for integrity.

As a funeral director, servant to my community, husband to my wife, and father to my children I believe that it is my duty to give my honest effort to improve my integrity as well as ask for divine assistance for the power to do so.  Then, like the small seed planted in the proper place and with the proper care, my integrity will grow up and blossom into fruit for all to enjoy.  This is the mission of Pine View Mortuary, to answer the call of a failing economy without the sacrifice of service or the compromise of integrity.

Pine View Mortuary gives you a warm, friendly, professional atmosphere where quality and affordability combine.  Our attention to detail and our beautiful environment give families the respect and honor they need at prices they can afford.  Contact us today to see how we can help you. (435) 986-4222.

Issue 47.09

Economic times have changed and many are struggling and facing hardships with the looming uncertainty.  Our friends and families are reevaluating their spending habits, and budgets for most have tightened significantly.  But there are still things and events that require us to spend money, no matter how much effort we put into budgeting.  As one old adage chimes, “The only thing that you can count on in this life is death and taxes.”  This brings up a question worth pondering, “How has the suffering economy affected how we view death?”

Some time ago, the British Prime Minister William Gladstone remarked, “Show me the manner in which a nation or community cares for its dead and I will measure exactly the sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals.”  Respect for the dead has always been a priority in moral, civilized nations.  Celebrating a life which has so deeply affected our own becomes an important tradition.  We pay tribute and respect to those who have given us a legacy to carry on. 

If the way we care for our dead reveals so much about us as a community, and as a nation, then where are we today?  Has the economy forced us into thinking that a “simple cremation” is the only option?  In these challenging times where financial hardships are ever-present, Pine View Mortuary is here to help. 

We don’t feel that you should have to compromise the way you want to celebrate and honor your loved one due to financial hardships.  And, we firmly believe that “Low cost” does not have to be connected with “low quality”.  At Pine View Mortuary you will find a warm, friendly, professional atmosphere where quality and affordability combine.  Our attention to detail and our beautiful environment give families the respect and honor they need at prices they can afford.  Contact us today at 435-986-4222, to see how we can help you.