I was in Arizona this last weekend for some "family" stuff that needed to be taken care of. The outcome was a success but for me it remained stagnant. 12 years since the very first time and still nothing has changed. I wanted to celebrate with my family-my parents. They were so happy and it was a triumph that was desperately needed. Great things are now in store for my parents. If anyone deserves the outcome it's them. All the tears, frustrations, late nights, calls, prayers, fasts, hopes, wishes, copies of paperwork, letters of recommendation, and thousands of dollars later, ALL finally coming together in perfect harmony to grant what was most desired. I'm so grateful for my parents. They have taught me to never give up despite the opposition we face and the circumstances we are in. The weekend in Arizona finally blooming a rose amid the thorns.
Monday morning I awoke to the news of my paternal grandfather passing away. I didn't really know him. He lived in Guatemala and I live here. I was surprised to find myself feeling sadder than I thought. I don't know if it had to do with the fact that I never really got the chance to know him. To really truly know the great man that he was. Or perhaps I was sad because my dad was literally weeks away from seeing him again since moving to the US in 1992. They hadn't seen each other in over 20 years. They were so close and yet it was not to be. My dad sent out a text to us all that made me once again grateful to be his daughter.
"I want to let you know that my father passed away a few minutes ago. Don't worry, I am fine. Fortunately, I have a testimony of eternal families. It hurts but I am happy because now he will be with my mother."
Or perhaps my Grandfather's death hit me with a realization that people die. People I know, people I love, people I talk to every day, people close to me, people far from me. People, in general, all over the world die. I've said this before but I have been fortunate enough to live 27 years of my life without the death of someone really close to me. I fear that soon that luck will change. I keep asking myself if I will be like my daddy and not just believe in The Plan of Salvation but trust in it.
Later that night, I went to my Aunt Gilda's house. I knew she was going to have a hard time and I felt that I should be there. We didn't leave on the best of terms because she's freakin' crazy. But she is my family and I am hers and we needed each other at that time. We held a special FHE via skype with my family in Arizona. Those who had the opportunity to know and meet my Grandfather shared stories of him and his life. The Spirit confirmed to me that evening that my Grandfather had lived a wonderful life. I was filled with gratitude that I was his granddaughter and a part of his great legacy. Not just his but also my Grandma who passed away in 2008 and whom I also never had the opportunity to know. My Grandparents were stalwart in their testimony of the Gospel. They sacrificed much for what they knew was true. They gave away everything they had to be obedient to the Lord. They were poor, extremely poor but they brought their nine children to the Mesa, Arizona Temple and were sealed together for eternity. They served an honorable full time mission. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that my Grandparents loved the Lord.
As I've pondered on the events that have occurred in the last week one quote has come into my mind over and over. It's by Elder Uchtdorf.
"...We are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal being, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny. The more we learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions-temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."
I testify to you that I know The Plan of Salvation is real. We can be with our loved ones again after this life. Someday, I will get to talk to my Grandparents-hear their stories, laugh with them, cry with them, hug them, thank them for their example, and say "I love you."
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