Any minute now I expect to receive a telephone call telling me that a woman in our ward has given birth to two healthy baby boys. Ever since we got the news K was expecting and unexpectedly it was twins, we have been looking forward to this day. And since Michelle has been helping out with their other four children after school, and the father works with Wes, we have been particularly eager for the good news, and have already put in dibs to hold one of the babies during church.
But my excitement for this family has been dampened a bit by another call I received earlier today. "C", a good friend of my daughter Kristen and her mentor teacher last year, passed away this morning from cancer. The disease was only recently diagnosed, giving a heartbroken husband and two children, a daughter recently married and a son preparing for a mission, barely time to adjust to the news before their dear sweet mother and wife was gone. (9/2/2011 Just heard from Kristen that the son entered the MTC the day after his mother passed away. )
Kristen was devastated. C had been her good friend and supporter all last year. Every day Kristen would go to her office to share the joys and challenges of her first year of teaching. C gave advice and provided a listening ear. She was also the friend Kristen went to excitedly to tell about meeting Peter, their first date, and their first kiss. And when I came into town and visited Kristen at school, C would come and tell me all about my wonderful daughter and how she was such an incredibly gifted teacher. So of course I liked hearing that.
But today she has left this world, much too soon and much too young.
Kristen's telephone call took me back several years to a time when a good friend of mine also passed away from cancer, after receiving several blessings promising health. I questioned for months how that could be and in my prayers I repeatedly uttered, "I don't understand." Then one day the impression came into my mind, "You don't have to understand. That is what faith is." And with those words came a rush of peace. I still don't understand, but I no longer worry about it. I am at peace with my friend's death and I pray that C's family and friends will someday find peace with her death as well.
But as I sit here at my computer still waiting to hear about the two little babies, I can't help but picture Heaven's revolving door. As we mourn the loss of a good friend here, Heaven is celebrating her return. And as we will soon celebrate the birth of two little boys here, I am sure there are some heavy hearts in Heaven who have just said goodbye to two valiant sons.
~~~~~~~~
3:20 p.m. Just got news. They arrived about an hour ago--6 lbs 14 oz and 6 lbs 9 oz. All are doing well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
What a day for mixed emotions...so grateful for the gospel's message of eternal families. It is the source of hope for me.
Lovely post. I suppose that congratulations are in order all around, just not on the same sides of the veil. What a blessing the gospel plan is.
And those twins are ADORABLE!! I loved on them a little bit today ... and plan to be back later. Looks like one of them may have a little red in his hair!
Love your blog.
Stephanie (king) Cannon
My blog is private ... email me if you'd like an invite. (stephcannon09 (at) gmail.com
Oh I am so sorry about C. Thanks again for sharing your unique ability and talent to communicate the blessings and challenges in our lives.
Congratulations on the births.
Condolences on the losses.
And yes, life IS a revolving door. It's a great blessing to know where that door leads, isn't it?
Great post.
=)
I'm so sorry to here about Kristen's friend and mentor. You are right though, heaven does have a revolving door. Just a few months ago, my totally healthy 35 year old brother died. Last Monday, his widow gave birth to their 4th child. I am so grateful for that eternal perspective and the knowledge that families are forever!
So hard to hear the death of a loved one. And yet such happiness in welcoming two little ones to life on earth. So grateful for the Plan of Happiness.
Neat post! I never thought about the revolving door aspect as we enter and leave this world, but it really is true - especially when you look at it from an eternal Gospel perspective.
So sorry about your daughters friend who passed so suddenly. I am sure she left many hurting hearts.
Thank you for this post. The knowledge of the Plan of Happiness is sure a comfort in the uncertain times of this life. I'm so glad that your friend's babies have arrived and are healthy!
This was a heartfelt post. I can relate to the thoughts on your dear friend that passed away. I felt similar feelings when I lost a dear friend several years ago. She was 46 years old and had 6 marvelous children and our children were all the same ages. She so wanted to stay and I witnessed a moment when she talked to someone from the other side that was trying to tell her she had to come. She died a few days later.
It was hard to come to terms with this but I did feel the peace that only the Savior can bring to our hearts.
I loved your final thoughts; it is all so true.
Blessings to you for sharing these moments today.
Thanks for making me cry. I liked your comment on faith - I think that is one of the hardest lessons that I just have to keep re-learning - how to just take things on faith sometimes. More often than not that is the answer to my prayers as well. Love you!
Post a Comment