Years ago, when I was on a layover for United Airlines in downtown Chicago, I went for a long walk far away to the outskirts of the city. I passed Harpo Studios where Oprah Winfrey taped her television show, and then browsed some of the stores that were in nearby shopping areas.
When I went into the
Goodwill Store there, a beautiful piece of framed embroidery immediately caught
my eye. It bore a simple, but profound,
statement that resonated with me.
“Having a friend is a
comfort that can never be taken away.”
In spite of the fact that the
piece was 17x9 inches, I knew I wanted to display it in my home. So, I quickly
paid $5.00 for my purchase and headed back to the hotel with my treasure tucked
firmly under my arm because it didn’t fit into my backpack. For three days
until that trip was over, I had to hand carry it through each airport and find
a special place for it on each plane until I returned to Denver. But it was worth the extra effort. Every time I see that framed sampler, it is a
happy memory of my day in Chicago AND of special friends who have enriched my
life.
I first met Rosalie in 1971
when she moved into my Arvada congregation at Church. She
was 11 years older than I was and we were in different phases of our lives, but
there was something about our first encounter that sparked a solid friendship
that has lasted over 50 years.
In spite of the fact I had
seven sisters, Rosalie became my “sister” and “aunt” to my children that my
own sisters never were because of long distance and other circumstances. Most importantly, she became my friend. My BFF.
She was
the one I called when I needed help and had no vehicle because my husband had
our only car with him for his job. She
bandaged my toddler’s head when he split it open after a fall, picked up my elementary
school-aged boy when he ran into a pole and knocked himself out, and when my
little girl lost her stuffed bunny she found it. She bundled my
children into her home when I went to the hospital to have a baby, and when we
had to go to Wisconsin for my mother-in-law’s funeral Rosalie was there to make
sure my children spent that time with her family. When I had questions about dealing with my
children, she counseled me with gospel principles. She took care of our home while we
were living on the East Coast and in Europe over a period of several years. She
asked me to serve with her in the Stake Relief Society where I continued to learn
so much more from her about ministering to others through her example. She
catered my children’s wedding receptions when they got married. And on and on….
Most importantly of all, she
cared for me when my “mother heart” was grieving after my 10-year-old boy fell
out of that old Cottonwood tree one beautiful summer morning and died the following
afternoon. Rosalie listened when I wept,
held me when I cried, answered the phone in the middle of the night to comfort
me when I felt like I couldn’t go on.
And she never once said any of those trite phrases like “He’s in a
better place.” Or “Time heals
everything.” Or “You’re lucky you still have five more kids.”
Instead, she would just tell
me that she cared I was hurting.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin in
October 2007 General conference taught that “love is the beginning, the
middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and
consoles. It leads us through valleys of
darkness and through the veil of death.”
So, it is Rosalie that I
think of most often when I glance at that beautiful piece of stitchery on my
kitchen shelf. Though she is now in her
late 80’s and frail, she continues to reach out as a friend—at this time for
over half a century—and continues that comfort for me which will never be taken
away.
During this month of hearts
and love, we probably think most often of romantic love. But charity, the true love of Christ,
broadens the spectrum to include the second half of the great commandment to
love God, which is to love our neighbor as ourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
Obviously, we don’t need to
do big things to show love to others.
The best expressions of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring
we extend to those we meet along the path of life. Like Rosalie did for
me. That is the charity Christ
exemplified because as we bear one another’s burdens,
as He did, we fulfill the law of Christ.
I invite you to think of
your friends—the ones who have ministered to you and given you comfort—and pass
that example forward with some simple expressions of love for people you meet
along the way, your neighbors next door, at work, in the community, or in the
world. Give them loving friendship that
will comfort them… Doing so will make
happy hearts. Yours and theirs. I
promise!
Happy
Valentine’s Day !
