Salu! To state that it has been a while since I’ve written anything would be a great understatement. Life has been crazy . . . for all of us! (Yet another understatement!) There has been a plethora of adventures, good and bad as we daily face the challenge of these latter days.
I look back over the past few months and marvel over all that has transpired. Turmoil, tempests, illness, and grief have hit with a fury throughout the world, and in our own corner of it. In recent weeks, we have lost loved ones through varying ways. Their passing has filled my heart with a deep sadness as I have struggled to help in a limited fashion. In a two week period, my husband and I attended funerals for 3 friends/relatives. Our hearts are tender, but in quiet moments, we have felt a comforting peace that keeps us going—it reminds us that we are not alone in the heart-rending battles taking place at this time. Heaven has felt close on occasion—an indication that we have far more help surrounding us than we may ever fully realize.
This past month has been a blur of health issues, mostly for my dear mother, who is fighting a huge battle with a body that is refusing to cooperate. One morning I received a phone call letting me know that I needed to hurry to the ER of our local hospital—my mother (who is currently residing in an assisted living center) was being rushed there by an ambulance. As I was led to the room where she was being helped, she smiled brightly and said, “Well, there’s my kid!” Her continued perseverance is amazing. And though we are still at a loss as to why her body is currently acting up big time, she still smiles and does her best to push through each day.
Her example gives me the courage to continue to fight my own health battles. There are days when I feel as though my spiritual armor has taken a few nasty blows—leaving behind numerous dents. Those are the days when I spend time on my knees, begging for relief, peace, and healing. I often find what I am seeking in a worn out triple combination that I keep close by.
I’m finding that it’s crucial these days to keep in touch with others—with family members and friends. As someone told me recently, we need each other. We were never meant to endure these difficult moments alone. And yet, in many ways, we feel more isolated now than ever before.
It has also saddened me that words like politeness, empathy, and compassion are being replaced by a hardened self-centeredness as some feel it’s their duty to force their opinion on everyone else. We all have the right to our own beliefs—but it is important to remember that this applies to everyone round us, as well. There is a need for patience, charity, and faith as never before.
This past year, as I have continued to fight a battle with cancer, (I’m doing well, but I’m still working on regaining my strength—an ongoing challenge.) I’ve had to take a few precautions. I wear a mask when it is appropriate and needful. I strive to socially distance myself from others as I continue to heal. And I’ve had to learn a simple, two-letter word when I simply don’t have the energy or ability to tackle whatever I’ve been asked to do. As my family can witness, in the past, that didn’t happen very often. It has been a humbling trial—I always have tried to do my part to help wherever I could. Now my body is letting me know in unsubtle ways that I need to rethink a few things.
I am grateful for those who understand, and give me time and space to heal. I am also grateful for the courageous example set by our church leaders. They have pointed the way to safety and peace during this tumultuous time.
To say that we’re all being stretched in a variety of ways would again, be a gross understatement. As I look around, I can see that nearly everyone is facing a battle of some kind. We all carry inner heart wounds that only our Savior and our loving Father in heaven can see. As such, we need to be kind, as a brave young woman that I know recently stated in an online post—we need to be considerate of those around us. We may be having the worst day ever, but we’re not the only ones enduring trials.
It is my hope that in the days ahead, we will pull together to survive all that is taking place during these turbulent latter days. We cannot win these overwhelming battles alone. It will take every bit of strength, courage, and faith that we can muster to push forward and succeed in becoming the people we are meant to be.
