Thinking of the Past

This week I learned of the passing of life-long friend. I can't remember a time in my life that Colleen wasn't my friend. I remember playing with her when her family lived in the house that Dick and Lynn Huntington live in now. I don't know exactly when the Curtises moved to the home near us, but I know we were younger than third grade. Colleen has always been in my life.

We would walk home from school together, but we always took the "long way" around. We went from the schoolhouse, past Uncle Bruce's store, usually stopping in for a piece of candy. Then to the corner where we would say good-bye to Dixie and Sandra, then on east past my house. The deal was that I would walk with Colleen to the corner between our houses. That way we would each walk 1/2 block by ourselves. In Third grade we had a teacher who taught us to count to 10 and say good-bye in Spanish, so that was our traditional good-bye. Adidos, muchachoes (No, I don't know how to spell Spanish words either!) We would also call each other when it was time to meet up for Mutual (MIA) or whenever we were going anywhere. We were always together. Until we got to high school. Her friends took her another direction from one I chose. We didn't association much after that, but we always knew we had a friend when we needed one.

Colleen called me this past fall. It was late at night and Garth and I were getting ready to watch the news. Colleen said she had been looking through the phone book and saw Garth's name and decided to call and talk with me. We talked through the news and part of the new program. We talked about old times and things we used to do, like play in her brother Wes' tree house, or sit on the canal rails and visit. I kept wondering what her real purpose was in calling me, expecting her to ask for my help someway, but she truly just wanted to visit. It was so nice to talk with her. I am glad I have the chance to say we were friends still. I am glad I could brighten up her life for a few minutes.

This has reinforced to me how important it is to live your life so you don't have any regrets. I know there are some things that I do regret, but I try to keep new regrets to a minimum. I also know that you must let your family know you love them.

I want my children to all know how important they are to me. Just as you all love your sweet little children, you are my sweet babies and I love you just the same as you love them. I cry when I know you are hurting. I want to take those pains away. I want you to cry on my shoulders. I want you to lean on me. I want to be there to help you in any way I can, but still allow you to learn your own lessons by standing up for yourself. I love you all with all my heart, and I know your dad does as well. We pray for you all constantly and want you all to have joy in your lives. Sometimes we have to go through heartaches before the joy can shine through, but we know it will. As long as you are following the gospel teachings you will find joy.

I picked up a book from Wal-mart the other night, not even thinking about what it was. Then I realized it was a book that was written for single sisters in the church. But it has some really good advice for ALL women in the church. And it reminds us that we will most likely all be single in the church sometime in our lives, even if it happens when we are 85 and lose a husband. It was written by the second wife of President Oaks, who was 53 years old before she got married. (How about getting married to a GA?) She has some really good things to say, and in my usual way of reading, I am underlining things that really stick out to me, things that can apply in all our situations. I just might pass it along to anyone who would like it. It will write some of the things that impress me later on.

I just wanted to write about my friend, and how much her life has made me think about my life. I want you all to know that I love you all!