Two Peds and a Quad -- 12/03/06

December is here. The year has sped by and life continues apace. Winter is upon us this week in Utah with our first real snow in the valley and clear cold temperatures. It is really a blessing to have the different seasons to remind us of the cycle of life. As Tim was scanning photos last week he came across this one of him on Mt. Wellington above Hobart, Tasmania in Australia in December 1969. It was the first Christmas in the missionfield. It was about 30 degrees centigrade (86 Farenheit ) and the decorations in Hobart were pennants hung over the street just like the Fourth of July Celebration back home in Lewiston. When Elder Taggart discovered everyone went to the beach Christmas afternoon he really knew he wasn't in Utah.

Joseph has been working on a couple of papers for his class "Physical Environment and Human Behavior" analyzing the UTA (Utah Transit Authority) system and access for those in wheelchairs. Since he had already mastered the system for his own satisfaction and freedom of action, he thought it would be a good subject.

Most of us may not have known that the regular busses in Salt Lake have the capacity to accomodate wheelchairs. What a great day to be alive, when technology can be used to benefit society. When mobility limitations are removed, so many other things become manageable. We are constantly impressed with the barriers that fall as internal vision expands. Each of us are limited by our vision of what we can do and become. . . and as that vision expands so does the likihood of our achieving that vision.

Benjamin Franklin said: "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." But the world is open to the person who can dream, plan and begin. December may be ending the year, but every day here is a day of new beginnings.