Life is Short

A few weeks ago I was able to attend a funeral for the father of one of Jace's friend's. He was diagnosed with cancer in April and passed away in November at 55. We were not especially close with the family, but Jace really wanted to be there to support his friend.

This man was in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and about half of the choir was at his funeral. They sang multiple musical numbers and filled the chapel with their angelic voices. During those songs, I was struck with how happy he must be, listening to his friends sing praises to his Savior as they celebrated this man's earthly life. Music is incredibly powerful. The spirit was palpable as we listened to them sing. It was a beautiful moment on a difficult day.

As his brothers and sisters spoke of him, there was such love and joy as they shared memories and moments with us. One brother talked about how as their lives had become busy, they had lost touch. He told the audience, "Don't wait until those you love are sick or dying before your reconnect and bond. Sometimes a text is not enough. Be with the ones you love. Support them. Really know them. Really love them."

The last thing that hit home was they way each speaker lovingly spoke of his kind and generous heart. He was a peacemaker and full of love, always willing to serve or share a smile. They talked about his humility...he worked most of his life for Deseret Industries, he was never going to be rich or famous or well known, but he shared his love and all he had with those around him. In the end, that is all the matters. The stake center was full to the stage with people whom he had touched along the way. I imagine he looked down at a life well lived. 

I was incredibly grateful to be at the funeral...grateful for my own life and the time I have here on earth and grateful for the fresh perspective I gained as I learned more about what it means to really live. 

A Good Reminder

This past Christmas season, I was hoping to be able to serve and help in small ways and praying for the opportunity. One morning I was at Walmart with Pierce buying mostly non-essential items for Christmas and found myself standing in line behind a woman and a toddler who was very concerned about the price of her purchases. She was watching the total with cash in hand and correcting the clerk when anything was entered incorrectly. Almost everything in her cart seemed essential.

When the cashier presented the total, it was more than the woman expected and she began to look through her cart to see what she didn't really need that could get her total to what she was expecting. I told the woman that I was happy to cover the difference. She protested saying it was too much and I insisted. I ended up paying about $6 so she could get everything she needed. She was incredibly grateful and a little embarrassed and I was grateful to be able to help.

The tender mercy that was really shown to me was that as I walked out to the car, I was reminded that only a few years ago, that lady was me. When we were in school, that was exactly how I did my grocery shopping, watching every penny, shopping sales, buying only essentials for our little family. I was given the chance to reflect on not only how blessed we had been during that time of our life to make it through grad school with 4 kids, but also how far we had come in such a short time.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the things we don't have or feel like we need during the holiday season, but in that line at Walmart, I was reminded of everything I already had and was able to take a few moments to be truly grateful for all the monetary and spiritual blessings in my life.

Tender mercies and nice neighbors

Saturday afternoon, I was shoveling ice and snow packed on our driveway, while the boys were playing in the snow.  It was a warm 30 degrees out and my toes were getting cold, when my neighbor came over with his snow shovel and said, "I've found it's easier to chip at the ice and snow, than trying to shovel it."

He then chipped and shoveled my driveway with me for the next 15 minutes in his crocks and t-shirt.

When we finished he said matter of factly, "I better get inside and warm my toes."

I thanked him and thought to myself what amazing neighbors we have.

That's not the first time someone has come over and helped without being asked.

Each week our neighbors take our garbage cans out to the street, our driveway has been shoveled several times, they've helped me trim my trees, and brought the boys home made wood toys.

I'm grateful for the little acts of service others offer on behalf of the Lord.