Yes, this topic is HUGE. Obviously not going to even get past a few little thoughts to ponder here...
Yesterday just after lunch, a young couple we know welcomed their second child into this world. He is so loved and nurtured already. He has a big sister all of two years old. His parents started married life off with a commitment to each other and to the Lord by being married for time and all eternity in the temple. Such joy for them and all their extended family. Welcome Dallin!
Just over a week ago a woman we know, again through church, was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia. I think she's around her early 40's; married with a 19 yr old son. On Wednesday last week her kidneys failed and she had to endure three days of almost constant dialysis. I visited her on Sunday and she was fighting the pneumonia, had on an oxygen mask, and although exhausted, she was as feisty as heck. Today I received a call from a friend who went to see her this morning -- she no longer remembers anything. Who she is, where she is. Nothing. Not her son, her husband, her parents, her family. She remembered the name "Joseph Smith," but not why (he's the first prophet of our church). The visitor went through her family names with her, and the patient wanted the visitor to sing a song for her. She sang her "I Am a Child of God." When the visitor was leaving, the patient said "celestial," and the visitor said yes, we want to go to the celestial kingdom. Then she said her husband's name, then her son's name. Was this from the visitor or is she remembering.
This woman has had so many health problems throughout her relatively short life. Including heart problems, migraines and epilepsy.
What kinds of challenges are we to face throughout this mortal existence? I have no doubt little Dallin will be nurtured and loved and given every kind of support and training his family can give him. Hopefully they will fill him with the strength to be able to withstand whatever comes his way.
My heart breaks for my other friend, the patient. Her husband is so totally overwhelmed that he can't hardly be there for her. Her parents are on a remote island serving a mission for our church. Her son is in Utah. Thank goodness we have many people who will step up and help, if they allow us.
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