Pinktober

October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink is everywhere. Much is discussed and brought to the forefront about what it is to be a survivor of breast cancer. It should be understood that it is not always in one’s hands, the outcome of such a disease. Women with different backgrounds, ages, cultures, and lifestyles are all affected by breast cancer. Many thousands of these women have been lucky enough to get past the disease, while thousands more have had their lives claimed. I think it is important to remember that in this month of pink and breast cancer awareness, all of those who have suffered, regardless of the outcome, should be thought of. Even though my sweet mom is no longer on this Earth, she is my greatest example of health and wellness. My mom lived well. She incorporated exercise and nutrition into her every day. She danced and taught movement to hundreds of young girls. She taught aerobics and impressed many women with her strength and stamina. She gained new passions and taught herself everything there was to know about yoga and Pilates. With that she excelled and was recognized as a gifted teacher and trainer by many. She hated to be inside and lazy. So often, we would go for walks and enjoy the beauty of St. George. And sometimes when it was suggested that we go see a movie she would say, let’s go be outside instead of sitting in a dark theater. When I would come home from school, it would be no surprise to see my mom stretching her leg all the way up on the kitchen counter as she was writing something, or to see her trying out a different yoga pose. I try to live up to her legend by incorporating wellness and fitness into my life, but surely come up short compared to her. Had my mom’s encounter with breast cancer been an actual battle, she would have surely come out triumphant due to her profound strength both physical and mental, as many would attest. But we know that our Heavenly Father had a different plan with her in it at His side. We have faith in that plan and faith in our Heavenly Father that we will be with her again, glorified and well.

It just hurts

Sometimes it just really hurts. Still 5 1/2 years later somedays I just can't believe I have to live without her. I recently watched conference and there was a talk about a man who had lost a son who was a baby at the time. He described some of the feelings he had after the death and about living without his son. He talked about living without the fullness of joy. This is exactly how I feel. It is living without the fullness of joy. I still have joy but its just not at its fullest and I will not experience this until we are reunited and together again. I pray that heavenly father will give me the strength I need to do this. I love this picture of mom and Casey on Halloween!!!!!

I was just having a conversations with Nick who has been able to feel my mom the most of all of us and has told me many things over the years. Nick was only barely three when mom passed. I said... do you ever feel Grandma Chris? He said... ya I feel her a lot and I said ..do you hear her and he said no I feel her in my heart and I said what do you feel and he said I feel a lot of love. And I said how often and he said very often. This made me very happy to know that even if I don't feel my mom as often as I wish my kids are feeling her because they are so pure and innocent and they just let those feelings in. I know my mom is around even though sometimes I let myself get down wondering if she has moved on. These reasurrences are so good for me.

If we constantly focus on the stones in our mortal path, we will almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided by a loving Father who outlined our journey.

God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in him to keep moving, keep living,keep rejoicing. In fact, he expects you not simply to face the future ; he expects you to embrace and shape the future to love it and rejoice in it and delight in you opportunities.

memories

I never thought that I would enjoy looking at these pictures of moms funeral again but i think its kind of nice to get them out sometimes and have a good cry.

Casey and Sara's Wedding

Casey and Sara were married April 25 2012. We had a glorious day! The temple was so special and I think that the veil is thinned for such occasions. I know my mom was there enjoying every minute with us. We missed her so much as we always do at family events. We have learned to be more sensative to the spirit and listen closely for anything it may have to tell us. Congratulations to my dear brother and his new bride!