Me Thinks

 An email from me to my Dad sent today, Nov. 17, 2020

Today I read President Uchtdorf's talk from October General Conference and his encouraging and hopeful words soothed my soul. He said:

"We will endure this, yes.  But we will do more than simply grit our teeth, hold on, and wait for things to return to the old normal.  We will move forward, and we will be better as a result."

I realized that a lot of the time I am gritting my teeth and holding on, hoping for the day when we can all gather as a family again, when grandchildren and great grandchildren can come and visit you, and when the worry and stress of the pandemic has lessened.

Then he said, "In a way, we are seeds.  And for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout.  It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth."

This latter quote from President Uchtdorf led me to reflect on your life and how you are an example of this.  Who would have known that a little boy who grew up on a sheep ranch, whose father had an eighth-grade education, who ate dried apples and codfish and slept on a hard rock instead of a pillow, would grow up to become educated, earn advanced degrees, teach at a University, manage a private practice, purchase a home and other properties, give generously to numerous entities, and raise a family? The little boy (you), like the seed, was buried under the stress of a severe economic country-wide depression and he experienced poverty and social isolation, and yet he later sprouted and grew to an "unimaginable" height! Surely the love of God and his watchful care supported and lifted you through the years. You are an example of going through rough times and surviving, and thinking about your life story gives me hope and courage. You made it Dad, and we can make it too. I have to trust that our children and grandchildren will not only be able to survive this Pandemic, but grow through the experience.

Love to you and see you tomorrow,

Janine