It seems like everyday, lately, someone that I love and care about is facing a huge trial. Cancer at age 42, losing a baby, a cheating spouse, infertility...the list goes on. My heart hurts so much for each of these dear friends. I wish more that anything that I could wave a magic wand for them and make it all better. But because of this "Earthly Experience" we must all endure, there is no way to fix it so I try to just offer my love and support in any way that I can.
As I have voiced on Facebook recently, I am living my own Gethsemane, if you will, as my children are away for the summer. I miss them so much that even the mention of their names brings me to tears. I'm so grateful I have them during the whole school year and I know spending time with their dad is important. Knowing this however, still doesn't take away the pain and sadness I feel every summer. I really have to fight not to slip into a completely depressed state.
So today as I sat in Church, something amazing happened and some things really hit me. As I listened to the testimonies being born, I heard the words "gratitude" and "grateful" several times. I say these words often and I have heard them thousands of times in my life but today they meant something different. I started thinking about all of the life-altering trials mentioned above that my sweet friends are dealing with. I thought of my two grandparents who's bodies are failing them and my parents who are care for them daily. I thought of my dear husband who tries so hard to provide for me and all of our children. He does much for me daily, to try to help me to be to be happy when I'm down. Then I thought about each of our children and how they are all so beautiful and unique. How each of them brightens my day and fills my life with so much joy.
Then the tears came! The ugly ones! Wake up! Look around and count your many blessings! Why am I sitting here feeling sorry for myself when there is so much to be grateful for? I don't have cancer, my kids are all healthy and well taken care of, even if they are not with me right now. I have a husband who goes to work everyday, who cherishes me and loves all 8 of our kids like his own. I am a daughter of God and he loves me. All the rest doesn't matter. It was a beautiful and gentle wake up call that I really needed today.
It is so easy to find the negative but instead I am choosing to count my many blessings and find the positives and joy in this life. I love you all and challenge you to do the same.
