Christian was so cute and made breakfast for everyone and then headed out for a meeting. I had the opportunity to get the kids ready by myself. It was actually a really sweet experience. I had the chance to talk to each of my kids. I was a little distracted trying to hurry them. Emmy had to have her Declan ("Deck-an") necklace ("neck-as"). I tenderly placed the angel necklace on her. She lovingly held it up and smiled as she said, "Deck-an!"
I have a sweet friend that was there when I needed her very desperately while I had Declan. She cared for Emmy and brought us so much when everything felt as if it were crashing down around me. I don't think I can ever thank her enough. Today she spoke about becoming LDS. I was so touched by her testimony. After she was done the man teaching the lesson talked about what would have happened if she had not joined the church. I thought of how much she has touched my life and I tearfully knew that I would have dearly missed out on her friendship.
This year I am working on bettering myself. I have made my first stepping stone in my physical well-being with running my 5k. I am so grateful for that, but I have learned a lot from running that I had not anticipated. It has taught me self-disciple to manage time and make room for my runs. If I want to run my half marathon I have to keep going each day to be able to reach that goal. It has taught me to not settle on what just comes my way, but if I want something I have to get off my duff and do something about it. Idleness really isn't happiness. I have been one of the worst idlers. I just really liked being lazy and putting things off. I find now that it is really difficult to put something off. I have to plunge ahead.
I had the chance to talk to a dear lady at church who said such tender and sweet words to me. I was so grateful for her thoughts and that she took the time to tell me. I have made it a goal to always let people know when they have touched my life. I used to assume that people didn't need to hear that. But since losing Declan I realized that it means so much for people to tell you how they are feeling about you. It is a way we connect as people. To reach out and love people is what we are here to do. We aren't supposed to be alone. Many times our lonely prayers are answered by others, through our Heavenly Father.
So many people have reached out to me and I hope that I make an effort to pay it forward some day. I hope that I remember the empathy that I have felt from people means so much and reach my arms around those who suffer.
