Emotional tool kit

I have done some work in the family’s bedrooms this week, and this video speaks to the feelings I have as I watch my children’s rooms change as they grow and leave home.

Seven months ago, before the pandemic impacted our lives, I had an idea to create an emotional tool kit, with physical objects to inspire and comfort. I wrote down a list on a post-it note, and began to move the note in my day planner, putting it off for another time. Maybe I was in denial. “Oh, I won’t need this,” or, “If I make it, something will happen that will make me need this.”

Then came new levels of isolation, earthquakes, uncertainty about the evacuation of missionaries, challenges from distance learning in schools, canceled plans, discomfort and disfigurement from abdominal surgery, and the secluded hospital stay. And so on.

I have been comforted, even without my little tool kit, no doubt about that. Still, this week, I remembered that I hadn’t compiled it, and decided it was time. It wasn’t difficult. I gathered things into an old hat box and slid it beneath my bed. Who knows if I will ever use it as I envision I might. If nothing else, it is a time capsule, and a reminder of my faith that comfort can be found in Christ, always.

The objects are small and have personal meaning. Some things are soft; others spur memories; on the bottom of the box are the scripture notes I have taken this year, which follow my 2020 spiritual journey even better than my journal. I tucked in a Michael Buble album that I love.

At times, everyone needs reminders that things are going to be okay.

If you are doing well, share your energy with others. If you are doing poorly, consider handling some physical reminders that Heavenly Father loves you and sent His Son for you. Allow the Spirit to bring joyful things to your remembrance. (John 14:26)

Moving On

The Yard Crew, summer 2020
They got so tan this summer.

This week, I picked up a few things at the store to add to the “college set” of dishes and silverware passed down from Paige to Daniel. (Where did all the teaspoons go???) I can’t think of much I should do to help him, but the impulse is to think about details such as, “Oh, he is going to need some spices!” The truth is, he grew up long ago, in South America, and he can navigate the spice aisles in Provo, Utah just fine without me.

I remember this ache. I have felt it before. Each child’s imprint is different, so the the ache for each child has its own quality. It’s terrible and precious at the same time. I don’t know why I am not thinking about Covid-19 tonight. I suppose it could spoil university plans very quickly, but we’ll deal with whatever comes.

Angels are surely with you.

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.

2 Nephi 32:2-3

And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.

Alma 32:23

Today I am thankful for this newly baptized little eight-year-old who is already speaking the language of angels.

Senior and Freshman

Tim and Mark are attending in-person classes at our high school. We hope school can continue at least long enough for them to get to know their teachers and for Timothy to be able to finish his armoire he had to abandon for five months in the school woodshop. The high school has a lot fewer students attending, as many opted for at-home learning. Attending school was the best option for us, and once we landed on that idea, I felt it was right. Tim and Mark seem really glad to be back in school.

I am not home alone on this first day of school. Richard is here, working from home, and Daniel has a few more days until he moves to Provo to begin BYU. Woot! We have been busy collecting things for his apartment while he wrangles his ever-evolving schedule.

Happy Crafty Birthday

When Paige was young, we would often do crafts to celebrate her birthday. I thought it would be fun to do something like that again. Mark and I set up an array of succulent plants and ordered lots of little woodland animals and buildings to populate the pots.

Squee! So cute.

And then Paige and I watched this movie. Happy day!

A big day

I was able to hike this week, which is something I have been working on since my surgery in April.

Healing is not a steady slope upward; it is a loopty-loop, a song on endless repeat, triumphs followed almost immediately by days in bed, isolating, and boring.

This snail on the trail enjoyed the little details I would have missed at a faster pace. It is so good to be able to hike again.