My friend lost his wife yesterday. They have a four year old, a two year old and a four day old. It was totally sudden. I am just shocked and heartbroken for him and his family. All of us in the program are. It has reminded me of how fragile life really is. I look at my list of things that must be accomplished today and they all suddenly seem so inconsequential and frivolous. I'm reminded of what really matters and how if the only thing I get to have is my family forever then I won't need anything else. A friend commented last night that we need to remember that when we left the home of a loving Heavenly Parent to come to earth, the same emotions of loss were probably felt as we feel when we lose someone now to go back there. At least I know that she was received with joy by people who love her and are so glad she is there. This is the temporary existence. As my sister always reminds us, life is so short! I was driving to the temple a few days ago just marveling at the fact that about 1/3 of my life is already over. I have already gotten through a THIRD of the time I have allotted for me to make a difference for good on the earth. It was a cool reality check. How am I doing? Am I using my daily time to its highest and best use?
Another thought I had is how much many of my dear friends have had to endure these past two years. We've seen many trials. I've held hands with those suffering from miscarriages, threats of divorce, deaths of loved ones, frustration with marital status, and a myriad of other life changing trials. I feel like during the past two years I have regularly cried with and over friends but not really over anything personal. I've wondered "How is it that my friends have to face such trials while I am simply going along happy as a clam?" but then I remember that trials have different times and seasons. Six years ago I faced my own harrowing trial and sometimes when I am leaving the temple I burst into tears just remembering it. It is about times and seasons. If I could just tell my friends how utterly spent and devastated I was six years ago and how utterly joyful and peaceful I am now, maybe it could lend some hope for the future. These trials are here to help us grow closer to our Maker. If we cling to Him during these times, the blessing of future happiness for us cannot be denied.
