Lessons Learned

We received some tragic news this past weekend. Some family friends from Vegas lost their little 14-month old Camille in a drowning accident in their backyard. I am amazed by their strength and courage during this difficult time. I can only begin to understand how difficult it is to lose a child. Yet, this family has found peace in the Lord's plan, even this quickly after her passing. The knowledge that families can be together forever, and that they will be reunited with their daughter in the next life is an amazing truth that gives us faith and power to endure to the end.

When tragedy happens, lessons are learned. I am brought back to reality...to what really counts in life. Although my own family continues to struggle daily with serious trials and challenges, we have not had to endure the loss of a family member. When I hear stories of loss, I find myself being a little more patient toward my children, cuddling up with them more, attending to their needs more readily, and sitting to listen as they talk to me instead of running around doing my "chores" while they chase me to get a word in.

Life is so fragile. None of us know what our Heavenly Father has in store for us, so we live the best we can and learn to accept the hurdles along the way. Some of those hurdles will be harder to jump over and we may fall down, but we always get back up and run toward the finish line. Our Heavenly Father is cheering us on the whole way. Our Savior is there to remind us of his sacrifice and the blessings we receive if we accept his Atonement in our lives. And we have friends on the sidelines who are pushing us, praying for us, holding our hands through the good and the bad.

My prayers are with the Waite Family as they jump over this hurdle. Their little Camille will be helping them in their journey and will be at the finish line welcoming them home.