Sad news

Today on facebook I read some sad news. A girl I went to high school with died during childbirth. I was not really friends with her, but I knew who she was and I liked her. It's not often that you hear of women who die while giving birth. She was not due for two more weeks, but yesterday she had some bad pain and went to the hospital. Her blood pressure was very high and they gave her some medicine to treat it, but that put the baby in peril. So they delivered the baby via emergency c-section and the baby is fine. The mom's blood pressure plummeted and the doctors and nurses were not able to save her. I have been thinking about this all day. I feel so bad for the husband. It's hard enough to adjust to having an new baby, but to also deal with the loss of your spouse.... They have a daughter and then this new baby girl. I'm especially saddened when I think of this poor baby who must still be in the hospital. Who do the aides take this baby to when she starts to cry? Her mom is not there to nurse her, to hold her, to rock her and to kiss her. I'm sure the family must be there all the time to be with the baby. I think the baby must know that the person holding her is not her mom. My thoughts and prayers are with this family at this difficult time.

Memories of mom and dad

My parents went on their mission to Greece a couple weeks ago. They spent a week in the MTC then flew to the island of Cyprus last Monday. I think they will spend most, if not all, of their mission in Cyprus. I've been reflecting a lot about my childhood memories and my parents and thought I'd blog about some of them.

I remember my mother teaching me how to pray. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember kneeling by the bed next to her and repeating her words.

I remember asking her to leave the hall light on and my bedroom door open because I was afraid of the dark (WAS?) She was so sweet and granted my request. My son is now asking for his bedroom door to be left open so his room won't be so dark, and I selfishly want it closed so he can't hear the noisy tv if Dave and I watch a loud movie. Selfish mom, I know.

I remember my mother rocking me. And rocking me.

I remember when she'd put me down for naps I'd mess up my hair and walk out and say, "mom, my nap is over!" thinking she'd believe me since my hair got messed up as I slept. Right?

I remember me lying in bed calling out, "Mom! Mom!" And she'd always come to the door calmly asking what she could do for me. And she did do what she could.

I remember loving her toes painted brown and thinking she had cute toes.

I remember eating tomato soup and my mom listening to Paul Harvey. Maybe that is why I love talk radio.

My dad:

I remember him "making" us get up and do scripture study as a family. Even half asleep we all got something out of it, if not years later.

I remember him making special breakfasts for when my brother had football games.

I remember him letting the stray cat that we took in stay in the house one night when it was sooooo cold outside.

I remember hugging him after he confirmed me a member of the church.

I remember the importance he placed on studying. Not on doing homework, but on studying. I'd say, "dad, I already DID my homework." His reply, "you have to study, not just do your homework." I wish I had done what he told me.

I remember when my family met me at the airport after the MTC when I was flying to Hungary. I briefly saw him, but then he got a call that my sister's car stalled on the highway. She was with her boyfriend (now husband). My dad went to go pick them up and dropped my sister off at the airport while he parked the car. I was about to board the plane and my sister came running through the airport and I got to see her one last time. Later I learned that after I boarded my dad asked if he could go in to see me, but they said no.

I love my parents and will miss them very much.

Temple

I took my kids to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house last week with my sisters and their families. I love the temple and don't go often enough. I am grateful for the blessings temples offer and the knowledge I have that families can be together forever.