Today was bitter sweet. We celebrated another first and because of a death we celebrated life. The sweet "first" was Taylor's passing the Sacrament. The death was the better; it came from the passing of Estelle's beloved former Primary teacher, Brother Anderson.
My baby boy turned 12 in December, but because he has been so ill we were not able to have him ordained to the Priesthood until last Sunday after church. So today was his first time passing the Sacrament. He was nervous yet reverent. He even too extra care to look his best. Taylor will be an asset to the Deacon's quorum. After sitting down by me after the Sacrament he told me that he made a mistake, but he was glad it was with someone he knew. I didn't see the bauble, but apparently he served the Sacrament to the bishop's daughter then took the tray to the next row forgetting the rest of the Harrison family. His friend gently reminded him to return to their pew and pass the sacred emblems to the rest of the row. He will smile and move on, knowing this was his first time and that he is still learning. This will thankfully not pain him too much. The joy far out weighted the small error. This mother could not be more pleased with him and the strength and courage he shows every day. I am so blessed to have him as my son.
My loving daughter, Estelle, had to visit the restroom just as Sacrament Meeting was starting. She mercifully missed the bishop's announcement of the passing of Brother Anderson. I told my other children not to mention it to her. It would be better for her to hear the news at home where she could mourn freely.
Brother and Sister Anderson were her Primary teachers two years ago. They were so loving and kind to her and all the children. They taught them the gospel and played with them. They had a summer and a Christmas party for the youngsters. They were a shining example of "going the extra mile." We even felt comfortable asking them to visit Estelle in her first grade class for grandparents day last year when we thought ours would not be available.
About a year ago we found out that Brother Anderson had cancer for a second time. Unfortunately, this time he would not recover. We visited him a few times and Estelle made him cards to cheer him up. But in all honesty he was the one who did all the cheering. His faith, his positive outlook and his eager smile always put us at ease. Even though they tried some aggressive treatments the writing between the smiles always said to me that he would not survive this. I wanted to gently prepare Estelle for this, while not taking away the joy of the moments we had with him while he was living. Sadly for us we had not visited him for several weeks, but our memories with him were happy.
Since we get out of church at 4:00 we all quickly changed out of our Sunday clothes and drove to my mom's for dinner as we do every Sunday. Destry and I took Estelle into my mom's room and told her about the death. We all cried. We got to talk about how lucky we are to have known him and also to remember the lives of Grandpa Smith and Grandma Sherrie who are also in heaven. Maybe all three of them would be getting to know each other and discussing how much they love Estelle.
The Plan of Salvation is a marvelous truth. How comforting it is in a time like this to know that we can see our loved ones again. We can talk of the purpose of life and understand that a loving Heavenly Father has a plan for every one of us. The pain of death leaves a sting on our heart and we never stop missing those we love who have gone on before us. But the pain can be soothed with time and faith and with whisperings from the Holy Ghost. It has been sweet sharing testimony with Estelle and holding her and crying with her and learning right along with her. We are always growing and sometimes, but thankfully not always, it is through pain.
My baby boy turned 12 in December, but because he has been so ill we were not able to have him ordained to the Priesthood until last Sunday after church. So today was his first time passing the Sacrament. He was nervous yet reverent. He even too extra care to look his best. Taylor will be an asset to the Deacon's quorum. After sitting down by me after the Sacrament he told me that he made a mistake, but he was glad it was with someone he knew. I didn't see the bauble, but apparently he served the Sacrament to the bishop's daughter then took the tray to the next row forgetting the rest of the Harrison family. His friend gently reminded him to return to their pew and pass the sacred emblems to the rest of the row. He will smile and move on, knowing this was his first time and that he is still learning. This will thankfully not pain him too much. The joy far out weighted the small error. This mother could not be more pleased with him and the strength and courage he shows every day. I am so blessed to have him as my son.
My loving daughter, Estelle, had to visit the restroom just as Sacrament Meeting was starting. She mercifully missed the bishop's announcement of the passing of Brother Anderson. I told my other children not to mention it to her. It would be better for her to hear the news at home where she could mourn freely.
Brother and Sister Anderson were her Primary teachers two years ago. They were so loving and kind to her and all the children. They taught them the gospel and played with them. They had a summer and a Christmas party for the youngsters. They were a shining example of "going the extra mile." We even felt comfortable asking them to visit Estelle in her first grade class for grandparents day last year when we thought ours would not be available.
About a year ago we found out that Brother Anderson had cancer for a second time. Unfortunately, this time he would not recover. We visited him a few times and Estelle made him cards to cheer him up. But in all honesty he was the one who did all the cheering. His faith, his positive outlook and his eager smile always put us at ease. Even though they tried some aggressive treatments the writing between the smiles always said to me that he would not survive this. I wanted to gently prepare Estelle for this, while not taking away the joy of the moments we had with him while he was living. Sadly for us we had not visited him for several weeks, but our memories with him were happy.
Since we get out of church at 4:00 we all quickly changed out of our Sunday clothes and drove to my mom's for dinner as we do every Sunday. Destry and I took Estelle into my mom's room and told her about the death. We all cried. We got to talk about how lucky we are to have known him and also to remember the lives of Grandpa Smith and Grandma Sherrie who are also in heaven. Maybe all three of them would be getting to know each other and discussing how much they love Estelle.
The Plan of Salvation is a marvelous truth. How comforting it is in a time like this to know that we can see our loved ones again. We can talk of the purpose of life and understand that a loving Heavenly Father has a plan for every one of us. The pain of death leaves a sting on our heart and we never stop missing those we love who have gone on before us. But the pain can be soothed with time and faith and with whisperings from the Holy Ghost. It has been sweet sharing testimony with Estelle and holding her and crying with her and learning right along with her. We are always growing and sometimes, but thankfully not always, it is through pain.
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