LIFE CHANGES

Sometimes I wish I could slow down or even stop this train we call life.

Sometimes I wish my children were little again and we could have family gatherings with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents.

Sometimes I miss old friends that time and circumstances have made distant.

Sometimes I wish those same children were small and home with me again so that I could hug away their sorrows and kiss away their pain.

Sometimes I wish people I love would never leave! I wish they could always be near me in this mortal world where I can see them and speak with them at will.

Sometimes I wish.....

But the reality is....

Children grow up, have families of their own and they inturn hug and kiss away their own childrens sorrows and delight you as a parent with their strength, love and parenting skills.

Extended families still love each other, stay in touch but sadly time shared together becomes less and less.

Friends are still treasured friends, always within the warm hidden recesses of our hearts. But busy with their own growing families.

and...

sadder still....

Beautiful people that we have always depended upon, loved and admired, laughed and cried with, respected and cherished.....

Grow old...

Leave us....

and move into the next realm of eternal existence.

They leave us with loneliness and a broken heart at their passing that will only heal with time.

They leave us with beautiful memories, joyful lessons learned, and hearts overflowing with love and appreciation.

They leave us....

And yet....

They will always be with us. Always a part of who we were, who we are and who we will become.

Last and most importantly...

We will be with them again because of the infinite Atonement and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Until then....

I will trust and be patient.

I am saddened with the loss this week of a beloved Uncle and cherished friend and "mother" of almost 35 years.

I was born on Uncle Gordon Homers birthday, creating a special bond between us. He always called me his girl. It made me feel special. I remember his hugh warm bear hugs, his beautiful tenor singing voice, his positive loving demeanor and love of life.

Uncle Gordon..you will be greatly missed.

And now comes the hardest part.

My precious Mother-in-law (mother Lucy) passed away.

Lucy was my dear friend. She always had words of encouragement and made me feel like I was a good mother and a better person then I really am.

Just a few of her wonderful attributes: She loved gardening and knew the names of most flowers and trees. Her clothing alteration skills were amazing. She loved the missionaries in the MTC. She was a beautiful speaker and loved to teach the spiritual living lessons in R.S. She was always interested in others and enjoyed visiting with them. She loved knowing the meaning of and using unusual words. She liked to learn and understand everything, thus keeping her mind alert. She was very refined in her dress, speaking, actions and loved a beautiful home . She was a perfect hostess to countless numbers of people in her home. She knew the lost art of conversation and preferred to converse with others rather then watch TV. And above all she loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her Father in Heaven and her friend and Savior Jesus Christ.

It has been my blessing and priviledge to be her "daughter".