Written on June 21, 2010
My kids bring me joy every day - some days more than others. Yesterday and today were "more" days. Our 3 girls all remembered to call their dad for Fathers' Day. That made him happy, and it gave me joy, too. They know that they have a wonderful father, and they love him very much. That kind of joy is at the foundation of my happiness. Today we heard from our missionary son, Joseph. Some of you may not have met Joseph or know what he is up to. He has been a full time missionary in California, teaching the gospel of Christ in the Latino communities of the San Francisco area, for nearly 2 years. We are very proud of him and the service that he gives. He brings honor to his father and to me, and that fills my heart. Taking care of little ones for all of those years had its own joys, but now it is a very fulfilling joy. Thanks to my kids, for calling and for honoring and loving us. May your days be long upon the land for doing so.
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, October 31, 2011
Gains and Losses
written on Tuesday, October 27, 2011
These days of economic downturn have us all talking about gains and losses - mostly losses in the stock market, low interest rates, and high unemployment. These are often devastating losses, but that is not what is on my mind today. Today a dear friend passed away after a battle with cancer. It was cancer that doctors should have seen during repeated annual screenings. But they didn't, and tragedy struck.
This is the first time that a friend younger than I has preceeded me in death. I feel very sad, stung, numb, teary, and I admit, a little angry all at once. What I don't feel is loss. I never like to hear the well intended phrase, "I'm sorry for your loss." Be sorry for my separation and my grief, but it is not a loss. My friend is still my friend. I am sorry that we have had a parting so soon. In fact, that causes me an outpouring of grief, but we have not parted forever. Bonnie has gone to a place where I can't see her or hear her or hug her, and that hurts, but she is not lost. This parting is temporary.
I won't speak of Bonnie in the past tense. I don't like to hear that she "was a great person." She is a great person. All that I love about her is still with her. She's still friendly and cheerful and chatty. She's still funny and attentive. What is in the past is her illness and pain. Those are gone, never to return again.
So why do I write about this in my efforts to describe joy? Today is a hard day. I don't like good-byes, and this one is especially tough, but it's not about loss. It's about gain. When I gained Bonnie as a friend, it was forever, not just for the three-plus years that we swam together three times each week. Not just for the times we chatted at Starbucks and combed the sales at Eddie Bauer. Our friendship was a gain that will stay with us forever. When Jesus Christ arose from the tomb, believers and non-believers were all given a gift. It is the sure promise that life does not end with the grave. We will part, but we will see eachother again, and every good thing will be retained. I know this truth for certain, and that brings me comfort and hope amidst the tears. My gratitude for this gift of life is a source of joy, even on a day like today.
These days of economic downturn have us all talking about gains and losses - mostly losses in the stock market, low interest rates, and high unemployment. These are often devastating losses, but that is not what is on my mind today. Today a dear friend passed away after a battle with cancer. It was cancer that doctors should have seen during repeated annual screenings. But they didn't, and tragedy struck.
This is the first time that a friend younger than I has preceeded me in death. I feel very sad, stung, numb, teary, and I admit, a little angry all at once. What I don't feel is loss. I never like to hear the well intended phrase, "I'm sorry for your loss." Be sorry for my separation and my grief, but it is not a loss. My friend is still my friend. I am sorry that we have had a parting so soon. In fact, that causes me an outpouring of grief, but we have not parted forever. Bonnie has gone to a place where I can't see her or hear her or hug her, and that hurts, but she is not lost. This parting is temporary.
I won't speak of Bonnie in the past tense. I don't like to hear that she "was a great person." She is a great person. All that I love about her is still with her. She's still friendly and cheerful and chatty. She's still funny and attentive. What is in the past is her illness and pain. Those are gone, never to return again.
So why do I write about this in my efforts to describe joy? Today is a hard day. I don't like good-byes, and this one is especially tough, but it's not about loss. It's about gain. When I gained Bonnie as a friend, it was forever, not just for the three-plus years that we swam together three times each week. Not just for the times we chatted at Starbucks and combed the sales at Eddie Bauer. Our friendship was a gain that will stay with us forever. When Jesus Christ arose from the tomb, believers and non-believers were all given a gift. It is the sure promise that life does not end with the grave. We will part, but we will see eachother again, and every good thing will be retained. I know this truth for certain, and that brings me comfort and hope amidst the tears. My gratitude for this gift of life is a source of joy, even on a day like today.
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