Monday, September 29, 2008

Life

I've had a host of reminders this week that life is precious. That our Heavenly Father loves us. That we need to love each other as much as we can while we can in this life. That serving others and allowing them to serve you is the best way to heal. That forgiveness and prayer can work amazing miracles.


1. Our dear friends, the L Family. We got to do some fun things with them this summer, so I've posted their pictures here before. Their three youngest children were involved in a car accident last Thursday afternoon. As of tonight, all three are home from the hospital. Even though the youngest had extremely serious injuries. It's miraculous. And the most amazing part to me is the love they have for their babysitter that was driving the car. After days of avoiding the press, the dad called the news yesterday and invited them to their home to thank the community and let them know that this babysitter is a hero and saved the lives of his children. I was able to witness his love and forgiveness in action at the hospital the night of the accident and it was a lesson and an example I will never forget.


2. Uncle Homer. Diggity's Uncle Homer is a great man. He's got a great sense of humor, he's worked hard, had a great life and has a great family. During our recent family reunion in Hawaii, we got to know some of his kids I hadn't met before. On Saturday, we found out that Uncle Homer has leukemia and may only have a few weeks to live. I'm so grateful that some of his kids were able to go on vacation with him and have those happy memories of time spent with him. I know when my mom died, it was the memories of our vacation in Hawaii that were strengthening to me. I'm glad his kids have the same memories to pull from. And I'm reminded that I need to make the most of each day I have with my family and my friends.


3. Christian Adams. I know Christian through his wife Katharine. Katharine and I were friends at BYU and became better friends when we were in Savior of the World together in 2001. In all honesty, I have Katharine to thank for my marriage and happiness today. She was the one that convinced me to sign up for LDS Singles and it is through the online dating that I met Diggity. She and Christian also met online and he quickly moved to Utah - taking a new job to be there to date her. All of us loved Christian when we got to meet him and instantly approved of the two of them getting together. They were married in 2002 in the Salt Lake Temple (pictured above) and 9 months later had their first little girl. They have since had another little girl and Katharine is pregnant with their third little girl and is due in December. Christian has had a history of heart problems over the last few years - his first open heart surgery happened a few months after their first baby was born. I just learned today that he passed away while on a business trip last week. After the week we've had, I really didn't think I could cry anymore, but every time I think about Katharine, I start all over again.

But here's the thing - I know she will be okay. I know the Lord gives us challenges that we can handle, even when we think we aren't strong enough. I know this because of the challenges I have been blessed to have and to come through. I know this because of the challenges I have seen Katharine and her family go through. And I know because of their temple marriage that I was blessed to witness that they are sealed together as a family and that Christian has the privilege to be their father and take care of them where he is now. And that he will be waiting for them to join him someday. And what a happy reunion that will be.

I love you Kitsi.

14 comments:

Michal said...

i have tears in my eyes and on my cheeks. my heart and prayers go out to that little family. you are right. i am sure that they will be okay, because of their faith and understanding of what comes after this life. still, this will be so hard. so very hard. it makes me want to go in and squeeze all of my sleeping babies. right. now.
thanks for sharing this.

Sarah Jane said...

Thanks macey. What a fragile life this is. I hug and kiss my babies and husband every day knowing I will never have today back again. I love katharine so much. I can't stop thinking about all the tears...good and bad...we shared together in SoftheW. She is an angel. I love that woman. I love you! Maybe we should have a benefit concert for HER now.

Shelley said...

Oh Macy...I don't have any words right now. If you have Katharine's e-mail address, I would love to send her a message. I hope she knows her and her sweet girls will be in everyone's prayers.

LL said...

UGH. What a week for you. My heart broke when I read about your friends husband, and watching the L family news broadcast made me cry.
They are blessed, and have hearts of gold.
Thank you for sharing. We can all use the reminder.

scooping it up said...

thanks Mace. don't forget to give me any inkling of how i can help. around 4am I wanted to drive over there and leave a note just telling them i love them (i didn't since my nursing child is a royal pain in the patooty at night). the pics of the kids are gorgeous and made me tear up.

Emily said...

I had the priviledge of meeting Christian and Katharine a few times and I don't know if I have ever met nicer people
I've got to meet Homer to and He is such a sweet happy man, give him our encouragement and love.

rebecca said...

Beautiful testimony. I'm so glad the L kids are home. Yes, that is miraculous.
That's so sad about your friends K&C...I can't imagine. Life IS so precious.

cally said...

Wow. This is incredibly touching.

A needed reminder of gratitude. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Macy,
I am so sorry about your friend!t
that just breaks my heart. I am touched at your beautiful words and my prayers are with all of these families!

Dana said...

I felt all the love from the pumpkin cookies - and continue to do so.

I'm so sad and sorry to hear about your friend and her husband. I will not even start to question why things happen the way they do.

Miranda J said...

Your photos of the L children are just amazing!

And wow you have had a week!

My heart is with you.

Neal said...

Saw this today:

"I wonder if we can ever really fathom the immense power of prayer until we encounter an overpowering, urgent problem and realize that we are powerless to resolve it. Then we will turn to our Father in humble recognition of our total dependence on Him. It helps to find a secluded place where our feelings can be vocally expressed as long and as intensely as necessary."

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 07

Macy said...

Thank you so much for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers. And honey, I love that quote. Thanks for posting it.

Zoo Keeper said...

Macy....having a bad day myself! Nothing compared to this post! However, tell your husband thank you for posting the above quote! Needing it tonight! I'm so sorry about your friend! What an awesome example you are with that Testimony thanks for sharing!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin