Yesterday was my day off at work
I woke up to Cash's sweet face and not so sweet smelling breath two inches from my face asking if he could have a cartoon. We spent about an hour snuggled in my bed watching Cailou and Max and Ruby. As we meandered into the kitchen we heard Grace's sweet voice telling me she was "AVAKE". We both ran up stairs to get Louie and then returned to the kitchen for some Lucky Charms and Multi-Grain Cheerios. Then we all got ready for the day and Cash was off to school. I had a few errands to run so Gabrielle came to hang out with Grace while I was out. While I was on my second errand I got a call from Mr. Ace.
I woke up to Cash's sweet face and not so sweet smelling breath two inches from my face asking if he could have a cartoon. We spent about an hour snuggled in my bed watching Cailou and Max and Ruby. As we meandered into the kitchen we heard Grace's sweet voice telling me she was "AVAKE". We both ran up stairs to get Louie and then returned to the kitchen for some Lucky Charms and Multi-Grain Cheerios. Then we all got ready for the day and Cash was off to school. I had a few errands to run so Gabrielle came to hang out with Grace while I was out. While I was on my second errand I got a call from Mr. Ace.
Call went like this..
Me: Hi hon
Mr. Ace: Is Cash there
Me: No, He is at school. I can't talk right now.
Mr. Ace: Oh okay.
Me: I'll call you right back. Click-
I was in such a hurry I didn't pick up on the distress in his voice until I got in the car. I called him Back. No answer. I called again. No Answer. Ran another errand. Called again. No Answer. Was he mad at me? Why didn't I take more time on the phone? Called again. Left message. Went to the bank and as I was sitting in the line he finally called back. Not mad just busy. As the conversation continued he explained that a gal at work had brought the police report containing information about the murder of the 4-year old Ethan Stacy. And he really just wanted to talk to Cash. I could hear the tears in his voice. He began to describe the police report. With each brutal act the pit in my stomach got bigger and bigger. So much that I could not hear his voice any more. As Mr. Ace continued I thought of the sweet innocent child of god who was viciously murdered. But then I had a quick confirmation that God is Good! And there is no doubt in my mind that angels were with Ethan. And then my thought switched immediately to Cash and Grace. I was so far from home. 16 Blocks to be exact. At this point I was still on the phone but could not hear a word. Hurry faster was all I could think about. I told him I loved him and needed to go. Got off the phone and sobbed! I cried and cried. Finally I reached my garage and the door was not lifting fast enough. Got in the house. Grabbed Gracie and sqwose. I kissed her and kissed her. She pushed my head away with her hand and squirmed to get down. Then off she went. Not recognizeing that I wanted to just cuddle her, look into her eyes, examine her face, memorize her every dimple. That was okay. She didn't need to recognize that. It was for me not her. At this time it was about 2:30 and Cash did not get out of school till 3:00 I wanted to go pick him up right then. I refrained. Grace and I had some cookies to bake. So we did. She made a mess. Spilled the sugar, snuck some dough and licked it of her dainty little finger, and insisted on turning off and on the mixer "by me sef". 3:00 came. FINALLY. We picked up Cash from school and called daddy right away.
Phone Conversation:
Cash: Hi Dad
Mr. Ace: Hey buddy. How are you? How was school?
Cash: It was good
Mr. Ace: I love you buddy
Cash: I know daddy. I love you too-
And that concludes my thoughts.
Me: Hi hon
Mr. Ace: Is Cash there
Me: No, He is at school. I can't talk right now.
Mr. Ace: Oh okay.
Me: I'll call you right back. Click-
I was in such a hurry I didn't pick up on the distress in his voice until I got in the car. I called him Back. No answer. I called again. No Answer. Ran another errand. Called again. No Answer. Was he mad at me? Why didn't I take more time on the phone? Called again. Left message. Went to the bank and as I was sitting in the line he finally called back. Not mad just busy. As the conversation continued he explained that a gal at work had brought the police report containing information about the murder of the 4-year old Ethan Stacy. And he really just wanted to talk to Cash. I could hear the tears in his voice. He began to describe the police report. With each brutal act the pit in my stomach got bigger and bigger. So much that I could not hear his voice any more. As Mr. Ace continued I thought of the sweet innocent child of god who was viciously murdered. But then I had a quick confirmation that God is Good! And there is no doubt in my mind that angels were with Ethan. And then my thought switched immediately to Cash and Grace. I was so far from home. 16 Blocks to be exact. At this point I was still on the phone but could not hear a word. Hurry faster was all I could think about. I told him I loved him and needed to go. Got off the phone and sobbed! I cried and cried. Finally I reached my garage and the door was not lifting fast enough. Got in the house. Grabbed Gracie and sqwose. I kissed her and kissed her. She pushed my head away with her hand and squirmed to get down. Then off she went. Not recognizeing that I wanted to just cuddle her, look into her eyes, examine her face, memorize her every dimple. That was okay. She didn't need to recognize that. It was for me not her. At this time it was about 2:30 and Cash did not get out of school till 3:00 I wanted to go pick him up right then. I refrained. Grace and I had some cookies to bake. So we did. She made a mess. Spilled the sugar, snuck some dough and licked it of her dainty little finger, and insisted on turning off and on the mixer "by me sef". 3:00 came. FINALLY. We picked up Cash from school and called daddy right away.
Phone Conversation:
Cash: Hi Dad
Mr. Ace: Hey buddy. How are you? How was school?
Cash: It was good
Mr. Ace: I love you buddy
Cash: I know daddy. I love you too-
And that concludes my thoughts.
I will leave it at I KNOW DADDY.
Mothers and Fathers make sure your children KNOW you love them!
Hug them, Love them, Tell them each day how special they are!
Our Heavenly Father has entrusted you with these angels. You are simply an instrument in his hands.
Don't let him down!
Don't let him down!
Today's events reminded me of a talk given by Elder David A. Bednar in the October LDS General conference. If you wish to read more...
{Read Full Talk here}
We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.
Brethren and sisters, when was the last time you took your eternal companion in your arms and said, “I love you”? Parents, when was the last time you sincerely expressed love to your children? Children, when was the last time you told your parents that you love them?
Each of us already knows we should tell the people we love that we love them. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do. We may feel unsure, awkward, or even perhaps a bit embarrassed.
As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.
We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.
President Thomas S. Monson recently counseled: “Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. . . . We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 86).
Sometimes in a sacrament meeting talk or testimony, we hear a statement like this: “I know I do not tell my spouse often enough how much I love her. Today I want her, my children, and all of you to know that I love her.”
Such an expression of love may be appropriate. But when I hear a statement like this, I squirm and silently exclaim that the spouse and children should not be hearing this apparently rare and private communication in public at church! Hopefully the children hear love expressed and see love demonstrated between their parents in the regular routine of daily living. If, however, the public statement of love at church is a bit surprising to the spouse or the children, then indeed there is a need to be more diligent and concerned at home.
The relationship between love and appropriate action is demonstrated repeatedly in the scriptures and is highlighted by the Savior’s instruction to His Apostles: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Just as our love of and for the Lord is evidenced by walking ever in His ways (see Deuteronomy 19:9), so our love for spouse, parents, and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (see Mosiah 4:30).
Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.
We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we express love—and consistently show it.
We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.
Brethren and sisters, when was the last time you took your eternal companion in your arms and said, “I love you”? Parents, when was the last time you sincerely expressed love to your children? Children, when was the last time you told your parents that you love them?
Each of us already knows we should tell the people we love that we love them. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do. We may feel unsure, awkward, or even perhaps a bit embarrassed.
As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.
We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.
President Thomas S. Monson recently counseled: “Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. . . . We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 86).
Sometimes in a sacrament meeting talk or testimony, we hear a statement like this: “I know I do not tell my spouse often enough how much I love her. Today I want her, my children, and all of you to know that I love her.”
Such an expression of love may be appropriate. But when I hear a statement like this, I squirm and silently exclaim that the spouse and children should not be hearing this apparently rare and private communication in public at church! Hopefully the children hear love expressed and see love demonstrated between their parents in the regular routine of daily living. If, however, the public statement of love at church is a bit surprising to the spouse or the children, then indeed there is a need to be more diligent and concerned at home.
The relationship between love and appropriate action is demonstrated repeatedly in the scriptures and is highlighted by the Savior’s instruction to His Apostles: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Just as our love of and for the Lord is evidenced by walking ever in His ways (see Deuteronomy 19:9), so our love for spouse, parents, and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (see Mosiah 4:30).
Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.
We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we express love—and consistently show it.
4 comments:
Mackay's conversation with Cash made me cry! So sweet.
Anytime someone talks about what happened to that boy I have to walk away, or turn off the TV. I can't fathom and it makes me sick.
I did the same thing the day I found out what happened,I could not kiss and hug my kids enough. I dont know how someone could do that to such a cute little innocent boy. I have cried so much over this. and it makes me sick to my stomach every time I think about it. I am just thankful that I am married to a man that carries the priesthood and cherishes every moment he has with his kids.
SO I just started sobbing at while I read this though!! THANK YOU for being such and inspiration to me Brit!! Wow how amazing it is to watch you raise your children and every time I hear an amazing story like this it just shows what a perfect mom and wife that you are!!
This is really sweet Brit. I love it. Thanks for the reminder. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You are a great writer and I've loved what you have started on your blog. Love you love you!
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