Was this in the plan?

If it's not hyperemesis, it's depression. If it's not depression, then addiction. If not addiction, kidney stones. If not kidney stones, then it's your daughter dating a loser boy. If not that, then it's butt herniated nastiness. If not hernia's, financial ruin. If not ruin, etc., etc., etc.

It's a good thing there is opposition in all things. Cuz you know the opposite of your daughter dating a loser boy is your daughter getting sealed in the temple to a really great boy. And the opposite of hyperemesis, is that you get a beautiful baby out of it (and if you're real lucky, she'll be rotten, just like her mother was, and you can sit back and laugh......). And the opposite of butt herniated nastiness is the appreciation you gain of being able to control your bowels. And the opposite of depression is joy. And the opposite of addiction is freedom.

And the opposite of all of it, when you do it right, is the relationship you gain with your Father in Heaven from being on your knees your whole life.

I think it's a good plan.

Birthdays

Jared's lucky that shannon is my friend. He would have no birthday parties (or very few) if it weren't for her. Thank goodness she got over the sleepovers though. I don't know how many more of those I could stand. And besides the neighbors complaints, which are likely to come party or no party, it was all good. A couple days after the party the boys had to go next door and fish rocks out of the neighbors pool. I wonder how those got there......??? Boys!

My Friend

My friend passed away last week. Just like that! Unexpectedly, shockingly, unbelievably! She was young, well my age, with 2 children still at home. She had left me a voice mail congratulating me on being an almost gramma, and wanted to go to breakfast to celebrate. But I never called her back….

I don’t believe anything in this life is random. It’s all part of the plan, and this passionate, larger than life woman was part of the plan for my life. I know that now. I am different because I knew her. The sad thing is, her passing is what changed me the most. As I reflect on her life, her passion, her love, I know there are things I need to do differently. Do better.

I didn’t know her favorite flower, her favorite color, or her middle name. But I know I loved her. I’ll see you later Leslie. Thanks for the apple pancakes, the eyebrow advice (that I never took), the political shouting matches and the soccer talk.