My Attitude Made the Difference

Many years ago, while living in Europe, I had an unusual experience that brought me some spiritual insight that has influenced my life for good ever since. 

 

As I recall, this took place during my first meeting with our bishop after I was sustained as the new ward Relief Society President. As I came into his office, I was greatly surprised to see that he had written quite a few names of sisters on the blackboard. He explained that their arrangement showed how he thought their visiting teaching assignments should be organized.

The Envelope

It started with an envelope.

Yesterday, after we had played several board games, my Kindergartner granddaughter Paige was looking through the various kinds of paper in my craft box, intending to draw or write something during her after-school visit with me. She found a greeting card envelope, selected a piece of yellow card stock, and told me she wanted to make a card for “Grampa.”  

Grampa, aka my late husband, passed away when Paige was not yet three years old. I doubt she can really remember him, but on my kitchen counter are two digital photo frames that scroll through family photos including many of him, some even with her as a baby or toddler. When Paige is eating her after-school snack, she looks at those photos, and often either names some of the people in them, or asks me who they are. Some are of my parents and grandparents, and I have on occasion mentioned that they, like Grampa, have died, and are happily living in Heaven now. Whether seeing photos of Grampa keeps real memories of him fresh in her mind, or that she just continues to love her idea of him, I know not.

Enjoying Diversity

The first Sunday we attended our new ward in Texas, I was delighted to hear an Asian accent and a Hispanic accent as the Sacrament prayers were given. At the conclusion of our meetings, I realized that we had the blessing of moving into a ward that had a wonderful mixture: born-in-the-Church & converts; native Texans & people from various states and other countries; young, old & everything in between. In Relief Society, as different opinions were expressed, I sensed an open-heartedness that was refreshing and inspiring.

The day we moved into our new house, we noticed that many of the neighbors came outside with their children, and the first two families we met were from South Africa and India.

We look forward to making many new friends!