Farewell Mom and Dad

Loss and grief have become my constant companions so far this year. Before the year was much more than 21 days old my father passed through the veil into the spirit world. Now 19 days into February and mom is gone on as well. It is hard for the soul to gather around this kind of pain and loss.

Now as I wander about my parent's eathly home, rummaging amoung the belongings of their former life there is much to do and much more to ponder upon. My parents are wonderful people, my mom in particular. And I am wondering how I will put all these material possessions and all the memories into a place that will carry me forward until we meet again.

As difficult as it will be to put my mom into the ground for her body to await the resurrection and reunion of her spirit, it will be equally difficult to close up this home that has been a refuge to many for 31 years. As we go through the house, taking bits and pieces of Wes and Charlene and spreading it amoung those of us who are left behind I hope and pray that we take more than just the material pieces.

For my parents were much, much more. Mom, in patricular, was a wonderful example of compassion and charity. As Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my mother." This statement is very true for me. The example my mom set as a servant in the kingdom laid a foundation for the service I render in my own part of the vineyard. The example mom was to me as a mother and homemaker carried forward into my home. My husband and children are blessed by the foods and traditions of my childhood. And so it should be. And so I ever pray that this legacy will carry forward into the generations. No possession can be more valueable than the legacy of righteous parents and the gifts of the gospel that were lived and taught in a child's home.

I sat at mom's bedside during her final earthly hours, my heart wishing she could stay while at the same time praying her passing to be swift and peaceful. My mind traveled rappidly between the questions of; "How will we go on without her?" "What will happen to the glue that has kept this family connected these many years?" "What will passing through the veil be like for her?" "And, what will her life be like there?" I prayed for the gift of being with her as she left this world to progess into the world to come. It was a bitter-sweet answer that I received. Gladness and sorrow are interesting companions.

Four days later my mind still clings to that day, to that hour, that moment and to all the unanswered questions that remain with the grief. There can't be anything more comforting to these experiences than the knowledge and testimony I have of the Plan of Salvation. As I stretch to increase my faith to go forward. As I stretch to increase my trust in the Lord and accept His will I know in time, all will be well.

Farewell Mom and Dad. Thank you for the life your gave to me and to all of us.