Words of Wisdom

I read this article and as I read it, I thought of my sister, Annette and the Maxfield's mother, Judy.  Both taken from this life at a very young age with very young families.  I love how this article ended and wanted to share it on my blog.  It was titled,

"The Perspective I Choose."

"This morning I glanced in the local newspaper at the obituaries.  A beautiful face caught my attention.  A young beautiful face.  I read about a mother who recently passed away from breast cancer.  My heart ached as I read.  I ached for her four young children, her parents, and siblings.  I felt for her friends and the many, many people who she touched by her life.  but mostly, I ached for her husband because now his companion and best friend is gone.

While reading her obituary, I discovered that she kept a blog during her years of struggling with cancer.  I spent most of my morning reading her beautifully written entries full of wisdom beyond her years.  I was particularly touched and inspired when she said in the last post written on February  23rd.

'When I focus on the life of my Savior Jesus Christ, I give Him the opportunity to heal my spirit.  He suffered both body and spirit, and therefore, is the only one who can truly know how I feel and what I need.  When I think of Him I feel strengthened, happy, and even grateful and loved in a very real and tangible way.  I can look at life from the perspective that I have terminal cancer.  I am not winning the battle, and there is nothing I can do about that, and I feel cheated of future time with my family.  That is one perspective. 

The perspective I choose is:  I have a happy marriage with a wonderful husband to whom I am sealed for eternity in the temple.  I have four beautiful and happy children who are becoming just what I had hoped they would become.  I feel confident in a happy after-life, and I know that eventually my whole family will be there with me.  I have friends and am shown love from others every single day.  I am here right now, and I can do what I choose to do with my time.

Out of these two true perspectives, that is the one I have chosen."

I was grateful to feel uplifted and strengthened from a woman whom I have never even met.  I feel badlyl for feeling strong and grateful after reading her words since those who love and cherish her are mourning her.

I've been typing Annette's missionary diary and have felt so incredible close to her.  I think back on the battle she fought with cancer and remember that she was happy and positive right to the very end.  The last time Lila Mae and I saw her, was in the hospital in American Fork.  We visited for a short time and then she said, "I think I'm tired now."  Lila Mae and I kissed her 'goodbye' and as we were walking out the door she said, "I love you both!"  Those words still ring in my ears - those simple words "I love you".  She chose the second perspective.  She trusted and had faith in her Heavenly Father.  What a beautiful example she was to me.