Blessed

I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time after my last post to share kind words and thoughts with me. Each of your sentiments meant a lot to me, and brought warmth to my heart. Thank you so much.

I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining in my last post. That wasn't my intention at all. I just have moments like those, where I miss Dad a lot, and I generally don't share them with anyone, but think it would be healthier for me to do so. The thing is, I think I've been trying to push my sadness of missing him away, and because of that I tend to just not talk about him at all, because when I talk about him those feelings of sadness generally become involved in some way and I don't want other people to think I'm wanting them to feel sorry for me. But that's NOT what I want to happen - I don't want to stop talking about him just because sometimes it hurts, and I'm afraid of what others will think. I want to remember him! And if that means I have to embrace those not-so-pleasant feelings of missing him as well, and people will have to see that, then so be it. So please know, if I do write or talk about missing him ever, I'm not trying to complain...I just don't want to forget...

The truth is, I feel incredibly blessed in my life. I love my family so much! I cannot imagine having better parents, or a closer connection as a family unit. Having Dad as my father and friend for the 24 years that I had him was worth it, even if it meant I had to lose him after that. During the last year of his life, Dad became almost angelic (and I'm not just saying that - there was honestly something very special that happened to him as he neared death). He demonstrated such amazing examples of unconditional love, faith, dedication, patience, strength, endurance, perseverence, humility and compassion. I am so grateful I was able to experience his presence in my life.

Here's the coolest blessing of all: We will all be together again! Just because I miss him now doesn't mean I will be missing him forever. We have been sealed together in the Holy Temple of God, and can be together for eternity. This time apart is just a short time... How incredible is that? I cannot imagine the JOY that will fill my whole being when we are all able to be together again! What a blessing it is to know that this is not the end of our family...

The Detroit Temple, where our family was sealed in March 2000

Our family the day we were sealed