Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Families Are Forever



This morning was rough. You know, a day when all of the kids are up before the alarm can ring at 6 am. A morning where my internet won't work--STILL!!! A morning where I discovered that the load of dishes I started last night at 9 pm were still in process of being dried at 7 am (Will that food ever come off now?). Then, the baby started to get really cranky because--guess what?--he's not supposed to be up until 8:30 or so. Just a day where I was ready to call it quits around 11 am and head back to bed.


Instead, at 12 I headed to Owen's swim lessons. There was a new child there today. His mom sat right by me. We chatted a bit and laughed about how her little boy was so big compared to my small children. Then, she asked me how many kids I had. I pointed out all three. I asked her how many she had. She told me she had five but two were dead. I was shocked. What happened I asked? She told me that her oldest son had accidentally been electrocuted last year. He was 27. Then, later that year, she had a baby girl who was born with one of her lungs underdeveloped. She was pink and healthy and beautiful. The survival rate for that type of thing these days is 98%. Unfortunately, one of her doctors was too rough with the little girl and blew a hole in her lung. Then, he had the audacity to say, "It was for the best."


I sat next to this woman and heard her story and I just couldn't imagine someone saying that to me. Someone trying to play God with someone else's life. I realize doctors often are put in that situation, but to be so cavalier about your errant actions? To take a human life is unimaginable to me, but to do it without a modicum of remorse is sickening.


My heart went out to this mom who further explained that the huge age gap between her children was due to the fact that she's had to have all of them through invitro fertilization.


Then she said, "It's okay. I've had a lot of spiritual experiences related to the loss. I know that I'll have her again. She's mine."


Yes, you will have her again because Families are Forever. Isn't that the most wonderful promise of all? The people we love here on Earth can be with us in heaven as well.


I left the swim lesson feeling a little chastised for my self pity...reminded that my problems are small and easily overcome. I can go to sleep tonight and have a fresh start on all of them tomorrow. I love the promise of a new day. I love the knowledge we have of the eternal nature of families. I feel truly blessed.

20 comments:

kjirsti said...

I can't believe how big Eli is! And Owen has got to be one of the cutest little boys around.

Lara Neves said...

I guess we all need that reminder from time to time because it is so easy to want to throw our kids out the window.

Thanks for passing it along.

Scott & Tami said...

Wow...thanks for that...I will love my kids more today and smile when I want to spank...thanks!

Scott & Tami said...

ps...not that I'm a spanker...just sometimes I really really want to.

Lauren and Trevor said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We do have so much to be grateful for.

Lacey said...

WOW- I can't imagine! It's definitely a reminder that our trials are never as bad as we think and there is always someone out there who is suffering worse.

Thanks for the reminder! Even though losing your internet is truely a BIG DEAL! ;)

Cari Florence said...

That is actually my really good friends mom you were talking to. Their family has been through a lot!!! When her daughter died I couldn't even believe another death had occurred in their family. Her mom has a wonderful attitude and is a joy to be around. She makes me look at life so differently!!

JenW said...

wow, amazing. thanks for sharing. it helps put our lives in perspective that is for sure!

Eldredge Family said...

Its funny, I went to swim lessons and met a lady who has buried 2 husbands in the span of 3 years. I could not do that. I feel her situation is harder than mine. She on the other hand said she could not bury a child.

Meridith said...

Audrey, I always love reading your blog. You have such great insights and you have the most interesting life. I just read some of your past posts and I love how much I can relate to your thoughts.

Minharos said...

I think I needed that shock to appreciate my blessing more. I've been getting frustrated and overwhelmed recently over the silliest things. I'm so grateful for my family and that knowledge that families truly are forever.

Lyndsey said...

wow, i wasn't expecting a tear jerker today! we are blessed and your babies are darling, love that picture

rachel said...

What Faith this woman has! She is incredible! It's so crazy that some people are called to go through such hard trials and can still stay so strong!! Amazing. Thnaks audrey.

Ruth Petersen said...

Thanks for sharing. I recently read the Survivors Club. It talked about how grateful we should be that we have so many choices each day. What to eat, wear, when to shower, and eliminate,or just look out at our beautiful surroundings, Etc.

Mamma Meg said...

What a humbling story!

Jessica Martiele said...

It's a good thing that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle, 'cuz I'll tell ya, as much as I wanted to wring their little necks today in the grocery store, I think my faith would flounder if I actually lost one of them. Doesn't really change the fact that I wanted to do some serious neck-wringing, but I'm grateful for them, nonetheless...

wackywilsons said...

What a great story...those wake up calls are always so heart wrenching. It makes me count my blessings as well, even on those "going crazy with my kids" days. Thanks for sharing.

getti said...

thanks for sharing. I needed that.

getti said...

thanks for sharing. I needed that.

Jan said...

Wow, I can't believe what this woman has gone through in her life. Thank you for sharing that story. Even though it brought me to tears, it has also helped me to appreciate everything so much more.