God's way of taking care of us

As I approach a year without having Ethan, it becomes more real that we won't see him again for MANY years.  I hate this reality, but the support I have from friends and the inspiration they have is amazing.  I love a quote I have on my refrigerator that reminds me of this inspirational phenomenon.  It says:  Friends are God's way of taking care of us.  I know this is a very true statement.

First of all, I have a cute friend who brought me a book on grief.  She said, "I just felt like bringing this to you and I hope at least ONE sentence helps you."  I could tell she was very unsure of how this book might help me.  This book has been probably one of the best I have read.  At least it is at this time.  I don't think she has any idea how much this has helped me over the past month, and helped with the anticipation of the "year".  Thank you.  You know who you are.

I have had a few friends bring me books.  ALL of these books have helped in the time I have read them. Most I have re-read.  Each one brings me closer to God as well.

Second of all, I had a thankful moment the other day.  I was searching for birth certificates and found some journal entries (this tells you my organization skills).  This particular journal entry I came across was about a lady at church who had spoken about her son coming home from his mission (10 yrs ago).  She had read from her journal about her son when he was little. I was so inspired by this talk.  I had written in my journal, "I am going to write something down about each of my kids as often as I can."  This is something I did do.  As much as possible I would list my kid's names and next to them put a memory or something I was thinking about them recently.  I had the opportunity to thank this lady (trying not to use names) this last week.  Because of her words, I have wonderful Ethan memories that are my FAVORITES!!  I am so happy I did that.  I didn't do it every day, but I did it whenever I wrote in my journal.  I am grateful for the inspiration of talks at church and knowing I was going to need this some day.

Third of all, I attended two funerals last week and missed the third one I was trying to get to.  I am not a funeral frequenter (word??) but these are all people I felt I should attend because I knew them or was close to a loved one.  These funerals were a reminder about life on earth.  It's short.  It could be 70 years short, 50 years short ...or just 7 years.  Either way it's short and loved ones are left behind to mourn.  I was reminded by a cute 11 year old girl on the way home from school one day that part of our baptismal covenant is "to mourn with those that mourn."  Thank you for that reminder.  It was great to feel I was mourning with others as so many have mourned with me.

Lastly, there are all the "how are yous?"  I never have paid attention to that statement as much as I do now in my life.  I think because I was "good" before.  Now, I'm never sure how to answer it.  I guess that's why I actually think about it.  But, I consider all the 'how are yous' and the invites to places inspired.  I know I have angels watching out for me. I know these angels must whisper to my friends to take care of me because I have never felt so much love before.  I also am constantly reminded what Heaven must be like by all those inpsired around me. 

Texts, notes, phone calls, emails, conversations, park days, walks, etc..--even if it doesn't seem inspired, most of the time I would say it is.

I love God's way of taking care of us.