Heartbreak & Healing

Sometimes it feels like the title of this post has been the story of my life.

Last Saturday we were able to attend my Aunt Myrna's funeral. It was a wonderful funeral and a beautiful tribute to her and her life. I remember going to her home often with my mom. It seemed like Aunt Myrna always had bottles of food she had just canned lined up on her counter tops, and a quilt she was working on. In fact, we have the blanket she made us for our wedding on our bed. She will be greatly missed.

We got home Sunday evening and while I was catching up on Facebook, I learned some heartbreaking news. A lady in our ward, who had a bone marrow transplant a couple of week ago, had died Friday evening. She left behind her husband, and six children. My first response to this news was of course deep sadness. I got the privilege of visit teaching this wonderful lady. She was full of life and loved her family and friends deeply. I am so thankful that I got to know her. Once the news of her death sunk in that is when I got angry. I kept asking Matt why all the moms have to die and leave their husbands and children behind. I've had a little too much experience with this and it doesn't get any easier. It was devastating to lose my mom when I was 27 years old. I can't imagine what it would of feel like losing your mom when your just a little child. Watching my brother and his kids try to get their lives back together after losing Brenda was heartbreaking. A mom should never have to bury a child, and a child should never have to bury a parent. It has been a difficult couple of days trying to make sense out of the trials we are all called on to bare. It would be so easy to get caught up in asking "why," but I have come to understand that we are not going to know all the "why's" in our lives. The older I get, the more I experience, I realize how crucial it to rely on my faith in God even more now than ever. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the gospel, the plan of salvation, and the blessings of Eternal families.

I want to tell my extended family, you all know who you are, that I love each of you. It was so good to see many of you at Aunt Myrna's funeral. I feel very blessed to come from such a large family who love and support each other. Thanks for being a part of my life. FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.