Anniversary

Some of you know me some of you don't.  How many of you know that I am a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints?  How many of you know that I served a mission in Chicago, Illinois?  Yep, that is right and during this time is when I learned how to talk to people.  I met some really outstanding people.  I met a man who had a stroke and had lost the use of the left side of his body.  We as missionaries would help him walk up and down the apartment corridors to stay in shape and not let his body go into complete shut down.  He was a Jewish man I think in his 80's but I am unsure.  He was alive during World War 2 and the depression.  He didn't come out of either unscathed.  I learned a lot about life from him.  It isn't easy, it is hard.  Life pitches you fast balls, curve balls, knuckle balls, you name it life has it in store for you. 

But that is not all, no that is not all.  I once heard a friend say numerous times that if life gives me a lemon I will make lemonade.  I know that is not his saying but he uses it a lot so I will give it to him for the time being.  Often that is what you got to do.  Lemons make lemonade.

I joined The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, on Jan 29th, 1995.  I was a teenager.  I served the mission in Chicago, Illinois.  I went back home.  Where a friend from High School Larry Sell introduced me to my wife.  See, the problem with Larry is that he won't take no for an answer; if he thinks something is the best thing for you.  You can say no a thousand times and he will nag and he will bother.  So my wife and I both knowing that Larry is that way,said yes I will meet this other person you want me to meet. 

I met my wife in the parking lot of a Petsmart, where she worked.  We agreed to go on a date, but not alone we doubled with Larry and his then girl friend Aubrey.  Heather, Aubrey, and I went on a date, Larry missed out.  I think we stayed up talking at Aubrey's parents' house until 230-300am or something like that.  But it was great just talking about plans and life and how I joined the church.  Asking questions answering question. 

Next date was without me because I was busy getting away from this girl I had started to like by joining the Army.  The third date Aubrey was absent and Larry, Heather and I went out to a park and left quickly, before it started to rain.  I think......This one is more hazy for me. 

Regardless, it was 3 1/2 weeks from the first day that I met my wife to when I proposed to her.  Her response "I think so".  All that day while I worked I worried what she really thought.  When I saw her that night she was still wearing the ring. 

Because I joined the Army I went to boot camp before we were married.  I got to Florida for my job training and had the Christmas break off.  Guess what that is when we got married.  It just so happens that the day we set as our anniversary was the 21st of December.  Did you know that the 21st of December is the shortest day of the year, but the longest night?  That is right I got married on the longest night of the year.  Smart I would say even if it was the Army that dictated when we could get married.

Well, here again the 21st is coming up and yet this time I won't be with the Love of my Life.  Nope I will be some thousands of miles away flying on airplanes to see the family just before Christmas comes.

In all the years previous and all the years since life has pitched us a few curve balls, a few fast balls, and a few knuckle balls.  We haven't escaped unscathed.  I know that our youngest baby right now is a blessing.  If she was a hard baby then Heather would have a lot harder time while we are geographically separated.  While  I know that Heavenly Father has answered our prayers saying we are done with children.  There is a small reminder that if we wanted another one it was ok.  But I love my wife.  And the last 4 have been really hard on her.  I love my children, I do but I guess I am selfish because if I ever lost Heather I don't know where I would be in life.  I would be lost.  I would keep going for sure because that is what Heavenly Father would want me to do. 

So Heather on our day the day we were joined.  I want you to know that I love you and our eternal relationship will be just that eternal like a ring.