The Cleverly Newsletter has been published in hard copy since September 1973 and online since October 2008.

Currently posted the first day of each month by Ivard and Dorothy's seventh son, Dean B Cleverly. Comments, suggestions, contributions welcomed at dcleverly@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

1 Love and Marriage: A Kids' View

February is for Valentines and romance and love. A friend at work shared with me some views of love and marriage as seen through the eyes of children.

1. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.  [Alan, age 10]

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.  [Kristen, age 10]

2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.  [Camille, age 10]

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.  [Derrick, age 8]

4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.  [Lori, age 8]

5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.  [Lynnette, age 8]

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.  [Martin, age 10]

6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.  [Pam, age 7]

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.  [Curt, age 7]

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.  [Howard, age 8]

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.  [Anita, age 9]

8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?  [Kelvin, age 8]

9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? 
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.  [Ricky, age 10]

2 Quote of the month

While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. Some of the most important principles are:

First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.

Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.

Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding.

- Quentin L. Cook
(October 2011 general conference)

3 This month in our family

Lyle's family
Mon, Feb 13: Scott's birthday
Thurs, Feb 23: Lyle & Barbara married 1954

Gail's family
Sat, Feb 4: Caitlin Foley's birthday
Mon, Feb 6: Kate's birthday
Thurs, Feb 9: John's birthday
Wed, Feb 15: Faustino Dela Cruz's birthday
Fri, Feb 24: Jeff & Liz married 1990

Kay's family
Thurs, Feb 2: Charly McAllister's birthday
Tues, Feb 7: Nicolle Higley's birthday
Thurs, Feb 16: Cassidy's birthday

Gene's family
Fri, Feb 3: Bob & Kimberley Ellis married 1989
Sat, Feb 11: Samantha Packwood's birthday
Fri, Feb 17: Emily Real's birthday
Mon, Feb 20: Louis Real's birthday
Tues, Feb 28: Shawn Tully's birthday

Ray's family
Wed, Feb 29: Blake Austin DeMartini's birthday

Dean's family
Mon, Feb 6: Claudia's birthday
Thurs, Feb 9: Anna Halverson's birthday
Fri, Feb 10: Ben's birthday

Dale's family
Sat, Feb 18: Dale & LeAnn married 1984

Everybody!
Thurs, Feb 2: Groundhog Day
Tues, Feb 7: Full moon [Snow moon]
Sun, Feb 12: Abraham Lincoln's birthday
Tues, Feb 14: Valentine's Day
Mon, Feb 20: Presidents' Day holiday observed
Wed, Feb 22: George Washington's birthday

4 Bits and tidbits

Claudia and I returned last night (Tuesday, January 31) from a week-long visit to our daughter Rachael and her family in Harrisburg, Illinois. We flew into St. Louis and then drove east and south for about two and a half hours to reach the town of 9,000-some people in rural southern Illinois. Our son-in-law Robert is a medical doctor and the head of the hospital's emergency room. They have four daughters, ranging from 9 years old down to a year old.

Having been gone the final week of the month, and desiring to meet our publication deadline early on the morning of the first of the month, this is the only tidbit we're offering this month. But we'd love to hear from many of you before next month's issue on March 1.