Many of may have heard of the missionary from Farmington, UT (
Lindsey Spjute) who died while jogging. As it turns out, she is the sister of my good friend
Melanie (Mel to those close to her). As soon as I heard the news, tears filled my eyes and my heart ached for the Spjutes. Recently, I have had a difficult time understanding death. When my friend Tim died in October I felt like my heart had been ripped out of me. When Mel told me about Lindsey those same emotions returned. It is easier to accept death when it comes for a grandparent who is suffering. But it doesn't seem to make sense for those who are so young with so much to live for. Gratefully, we have the
gospel which gives us an understanding of the plan of salvation and eternal families. It doesn't mean that the pain disappears. However, this is one unique situation where you can be overcome with pain yet still find peace. Mel said it best, "My heart is tired." As I sat through sacrament meeting on Mother's Day I reflected about this tragic turn of events and my own family. First, my mom. My mom is incredible. She goes out of her way to help people. She is my "go to person" whenever something in my life happens. When I got into BYU for MBA school she was the first person I called. When I am mad and need to calm down, she is the one who helps. When I am lonely, she invites me to drive with her to St. George for lunch. Okay that only happened once but I still remember how much that meant to me. She brought us to piano lessons weekly. Fixed dinner daily. And chastised me hourly. This has been very much appreciated as I have gotten older. For she taught me how to be a better person. I know I am lucky.
Next, my sisters. My sisters are my best friends. Hour conversations are normal. If I don't talk to Suzy once a week, I feel like something is missing. She is always inviting me to come stay with her family and to join them on family trips. Melissa lets me be part of her family and is always willing to let me indulge her kids with treats. She shares her kids with me. Kathrine keeps me laughing. She loves being part of our lives, even though she lives the furthest away. Lucille is my comrade in arms. Most of my childhood memories revolve around Lu. All I have to say is
Mickey and the Beanstalk, Stratego Men, 1-2-3 on so-and-so, etc. The list goes on. We still have great times together. Last is Annette. I miss Annette. She is in Turkey and Greece right now and I have been making a list of the random things I would normally text her. She let me tag along with her this year-as I had no friends-and crash on her couch when it got late. We both love movies and I love watching something new with her. It will be hard when she moves to California. I could ramble on for hours about my family (I'll do Dad and the brothers on Father's Day) but I just want to close with saying how much I love my family. I am lucky.
I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters. --Louisa May Alcott
Many of may have heard of the missionary from Farmington, UT (Lindsey Spjute) who died while jogging. As it turns out, she is the sister of my good friend Melanie (Mel to those close to her). As soon as I heard the news, tears filled my eyes and my heart ached for the Spjutes. Recently, I have had a difficult time understanding death. When my friend Tim died in October I felt like my heart had been ripped out of me. When Mel told me about Lindsey those same emotions returned. It is easier to accept death when it comes for a grandparent who is suffering. But it doesn't seem to make sense for those who are so young with so much to live for. Gratefully, we have the gospel which gives us an understanding of the plan of salvation and eternal families. It doesn't mean that the pain disappears. However, this is one unique situation where you can be overcome with pain yet still find peace. Mel said it best, "My heart is tired." As I sat through sacrament meeting on Mother's Day I reflected about this tragic turn of events and my own family. First, my mom. My mom is incredible. She goes out of her way to help people. She is my "go to person" whenever something in my life happens. When I got into BYU for MBA school she was the first person I called. When I am mad and need to calm down, she is the one who helps. When I am lonely, she invites me to drive with her to St. George for lunch. Okay that only happened once but I still remember how much that meant to me. She brought us to piano lessons weekly. Fixed dinner daily. And chastised me hourly. This has been very much appreciated as I have gotten older. For she taught me how to be a better person. I know I am lucky. 
Next, my sisters. My sisters are my best friends. Hour conversations are normal. If I don't talk to Suzy once a week, I feel like something is missing. She is always inviting me to come stay with her family and to join them on family trips. Melissa lets me be part of her family and is always willing to let me indulge her kids with treats. She shares her kids with me. Kathrine keeps me laughing. She loves being part of our lives, even though she lives the furthest away. Lucille is my comrade in arms. Most of my childhood memories revolve around Lu. All I have to say is Mickey and the Beanstalk, Stratego Men, 1-2-3 on so-and-so, etc. The list goes on. We still have great times together. Last is Annette. I miss Annette. She is in Turkey and Greece right now and I have been making a list of the random things I would normally text her. She let me tag along with her this year-as I had no friends-and crash on her couch when it got late. We both love movies and I love watching something new with her. It will be hard when she moves to California. I could ramble on for hours about my family (I'll do Dad and the brothers on Father's Day) but I just want to close with saying how much I love my family. I am lucky. I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters. --Louisa May Alcott
2 comments:
Thamina! I am SO sorry to hear about Mel's sister!!! That is devastating...especially while you are on your mission, you expect that nothing bad can happen to missionaries! I am so sorry to hear that news!
On a lighter note, your hair looks so long! I loved the picture of all you girls at Annette's graduation! Tell her congrats for me! "Annette Christensen, MBA"! Has a nice ring to it. :)
Wow!!! So fun to read. I love my sisters too!!!
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