What am I going to do with my -

One of my really good friends passed away yesterday from complications after his airplane crashed. Jared Despain was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He would drop everything to help a friend in need. I met him when I was living in the Nisson Towers at Dixie State College. He was one of the first people to befriend me. We would sit up and watch movies all night, or just sit and talk. He was one of the greatest people. He had the greatest sense of humor. He will most definitely be missed!

It made me think of a year ago when I read a poem entitled, "What will you do with your dash?"


I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone.
From the beginning ……… to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
(1934-1998)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth….
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars… the house… the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?


There were so many people who loved Jared because of how willing he was to serve. I hope that one day I can be like him in that way. My life is most definitely better having known him.

Scoot on over to Scoot's

Alright, here's the thing. Last year a friend of mine started Dessert Night. People from our ward would come hang out and bring/eat dessert while we played games and such. I seriously look forward to dessert night all week long. I love meeting new people, but most of all I love making food!!! Last summer by best friend, John, told me I should open my own restaurant. That got the wheels in my head turning. I loved this idea. I went to UVU and talked to the head of their Culinary Arts program and she told me all I had to to do to get in is take math up to 990 and a culinary math class. I tested out of english. It was rather discouraging because I tested into arithmetic so it would take me about 3 years to finish math, then I could apply to the culinary program. However, this is what I wanted to do and nothing was going to stop me! Well, I was asked if I wanted to move to Georgia, so I guess something was going to stop me. I left and met someone there from Phenix City who finished culinary school and told me if I did an apprenticeship it is more accredited than going to a school to get your certificate. I asked him if he knew of any and sadly I only remember one. Sadly because I feel like I would have a better chance of getting in if I could apply to more than one. Upon looking into The Balsams I have found out that they are a 3 year program, they pay me because I'm an employee, I'm housed on the resort for free, and they pay for my food. Completely ideal, no? I have asked 2/3 people I am going to ask for letters of recommendations. Tonight I'm asking my third person. After that all I need to do is get my high school transcripts sent over to them and I will have officially applied. If this doesn't work out I guess I'll have about 5 years of schooling left before I can open my own place. I am so excited that I have finally found what I want to do with my life. I am also really thankful that I have people who believe in me and don't discourage me about doing what I want to do. Oh, and in case you were wondering… My restaurant will be called Scoot's and the tagline will be Scoot on over to Scoot's. There's a story behind it, but I'll just tell you this… One of my nick-names is Scoot. Hence why my restaurant will be called Scoot's.