I really wanted to write a catch-up post covering the happenings of the last few months. Let's face it, me and summer means I don't really write on the blog. But, honestly, my heart is heavy. I'm weary and there are a lot of things going on that seem to work on my spiritual self. And, although I don't want to write about how I'm feeling, I'm going to.
I have had people I know and love die lately. In June, one of my dearest friends from high school lost his sweet baby boy. The story is tragic and it is actually on-going and it is all over the media. There's no hiding from what happened. Cooper was 22 months. I flew to Alabama for the funeral. an 18-hour trip. I even brought my pump with me so my milk supply wouldn't go down. I missed my babies and my husband. It was good to see old friends, but it was such a sad reason to be there. I actually bore my testimony in front of a couple hundred people. I was really impressed to share it on the family and how important that role is in life. I think that's really what Heavenly Father wanted me to say. I believe that is the main reason why I went down there.
Grandma Bohman (Daniel's grandma) just passed away last week. It has been anticipated and she has been waiting to be reunited with her husband for so long (20 years). It was still sad to see her go and how her children and grandchildren feel. They have so many memories of her. I hope they write them down. That is the key to remembering. If not for our sakes, for our posterity's.
My friend, Suzanne, who I met last year after moving to Maryland and being brand-new, alone, and so overwhelmed to the area; she was new too, but she took me in and helped Lily and me feel comfortable. Suzanne is awesome. She is a mother of four beautiful children and has a terrific husband. She fought cancer 4 years ago and won. It came back last year. She is losing this battle. It has moved to her liver and the new treatment has failed and she doesn't have that much longer to live (minutes, days...). Daniel and I went to see her today. It was hard. Honestly, I tried to prepare myself. It has been over 2 months since i've seen her because of summer break and both of us traveling. I just found out last week that she took a turn and started to go downhill. I wasn't expecting that. We had been texting and she said she was week and nauseous, but not dying. I didn't know how I would react when I saw her today, but all I could do when I walked in that room was hold and caress her hand. Her spirit is strong and she is fighting to stay. Her body may be depleting, but she is still Suzanne and she is lovely, and loved and will do great things, whether it be in this life or the next. She said I was beautiful and that she loved me. I told her I love her too. I hope she stays with us longer, but I know that whatever happens, she will be taken care of. She will be surrounded by loved ones. Families are forever. I know this because of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of Him, Jesus Christ, death has no sting and the grave has no victory. That is a beautiful perspective and it gives me hope.
