Who has it better than me?

My heart is full today. It's been that way for about a week now. I am so grateful to so many people for so much.



I found out on the Sunday after Thanks-giving that my brother's wife had passed away from a very quick-moving illness. I wanted to be with my brother and family for the funeral but there were several obstacles standing in the way so I called my brother, expressed my sympathy and love, and told him I was sorry that I wouldn't be there. The next morning, another sister-in-law called to say that she would give me 2 Jetblue buddy passes to fly there and back. To make a long story short, plans were quickly changed and I was on a plane the next evening.

I was able to spend 4 days with my family. I was so grateful to attend the funeral and listen as her children and grandchildren shared memories of the wonderful woman she was. I want to be a mom and grandma just like her. Even though I have only had her as a sister-in-law for 3 years, we are eternally related and I have forever to know and love her. I also spent time with many other family members, which is always a treat. I am definitely part of one of the best families ever!


The next 3 days were spent with my parents. I cannot put into words my gratitude for those days and all the moments in them. Mom and I accomplished a lot together. She's amazing because even at 85 she does more in a day than most of us do. And she has such a positive outlooks on life. She loves everyone. She is kind and patient and wise. I hope to be just like her when I grow up. Dad was also pretty amazing. He doesn't get around very quickly, but he does still get around and he is remarkable. Dad doesn't talk as much as I'd like, but he told me he loved me many times and what could be better?! He chose to say the prayer/blessing on breakfast and on lunch on the last day I was there. I heard him speak more during each of those than the total sum of words out of his mouth the rest of the time. His prayers were like blessings upon our family and I felt privileged to listen. I love Mom and Dad so much and am so so so very grateful to have been given a few days with them.

I flew home through the night Saturday and Roger drove through a snowstorm to pick me up at 5:20 Sunday morning. It was wonderful to be together again, even if it was only for a couple of hours driving to the stake center. He stayed there and I had to wake up all the way to drive to our ward. As I turned into the church parking lot, I was thinking about so many blessings that I have received. For the first time in a long time, I noticed the sign in front of the building with the name of the Church on it. The words "JESUS CHRIST" seemed to jump out at me. Everything that means something to me is because of Him, His life, the Plan, and the Atonement. I shared my testimony and thoughts in our testimony meeting. After also helping conduct our visiting teaching seminar and attending a convert baptism I drove home and went to bed.

Who has it better than me?!