Shouting through a Megaphone!

Physical experience:

Rain plunking down on top of the water. Small lake in middle of nowhere. Floating under a dock watching the patterns of rain across the lake. Gray-silver sky above, cabin off to one side. The water is warm and my head kept away from the pounding of the rain on top of the dock. Light winds roll around, pushing the dock to one side. Feeling safe, soaking it all in. The smell of fresh water in the air, birds and animals have left, the only noise is that made by the water against water. Me floating on my lake in the rain.

picture from: focusonmexico.com

Scenes: 

At work. Normal day. Talking with my coworkers; going about our jobs. Lady walks in and asks a questions. Then asks who was in charge. We were all on the same level. None above another. Then the moment of realization; everyone was looking at me. I was now the most experienced employee. Others looked to me to get questions answered. They looked to me as if I was one “in charge”. I knew the answer. I solved the problem. I was now in a new position; a new sense of leadership. Hadn’t asked for it… it had just happened that way. Without warning.

Speech:

She insisted that she bought me my favorite ice cream. I was oblivious. She wanted to go sit in that field near a tree. She spoke calmly. She spoke with resolve. She was about to speak a dagger straight to my heart. We sat and ate. Then, these words, “So let me tell you a story.” Something was up. Something was wrong. I could tell from those words alone. And then her words came faster and faster. She wanted to go on a mission. She wanted to go without any “ties”. And then that was it. We never saw each other again.

Emotion in the moment:

Every High School student was affected. The girl had been shot in the head by a gun the kids thought was not loaded. Those who knew her were heartbroken. Even those who didn’t know her were affected. The whole school was somber. The Symphonic Band was asked to play as tribute. Many students had come dressed in their Sunday best. I played the French Horn in the band. Each musician played their heart out. We played for her. Students surrounded the band in the large entryway. The air seemed think and tears streamed down faces. The power of music said what everyone was already feeling. And yet, it healed.

Picture from: firstamendmentcenter.org

People of consequence:

Chris is one of those people that inspires. He is selfless and looks for ways to serve in every day circumstances. He once gave me five dollars— for no reason! He told me to save it for a rainy day. Who does that? No one else I know. He’s the kind of guy that you could knock down and he’d just jump right back up smiling. He’s a role model. He’s a type of a Captain Moroni. Those guys you just look up to and aspire to be. People say that actions speak louder than words, but when you have both actions AND words, you are shouting through a megaphone. That’s Chris. Chris shouts through a megaphone.

It Doesn't Matter Where We Are, As Long As Memories Are Made and the Family Is Strengthened.

Physical experience:
I remember lying on the hospital bed as they asked me to roll over. they shoved a needle in my back, and I remember looking back over my shoulder to see this long string of blue coming out.

I remember begging my parents to not force me to take my earrings out because that would hurt and I didn't want to go in the machine. I also remember telling my parents I didn't need to be put under. I wanted to stay awake, and I wouldn't move or say "ouch." I didn't want them to put the tubes in my ear.

Scenes:
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It's a summer night, still hot, but we're on the beach at a carnival. The dancers are entertaining us with fire and music on the drums. The smell of the cooking Mexican food, the oriental salads. But most of all, my first taste of calamari, suction cup and all. It tasted like rubber.

When we go elk hunting, the cool crisp air combines with the heat of the sun. The smell is clean. It's relaxing and peaceful to be so high up into the woods. The scene is beautiful, all green and full of life. There are so many possibilities, so many new worlds to explore. I played house in the woods where we camped.

Speech:
Speaking Spanish in Mexico to the natives, trying to carry on a conversation. Then the others tell my mom and dad that they "did a good job." Scary. And they also told my parents good job on my friends looks. That's just gross and creepy.

The speech of my mom as she tells the family she has breast cancer. Then the speech, family fasting, family prayers, and blessing given to her the night before her surgery. How I told her that I wasn't scared, because Heavenly Father knows what He is doing.

Emotion in the moment:
So many emotions raced through me as I sat and watched my mom. Anger at the doctors, for doing this to her, and for not doing their job at giving her good medicine. Fear as I thought my mom was going to die. Panic. What would I do as a sophomore in High School losing my mom? This would change my whole life. What about the future times I would need her? What if she needed to lace up my prom dress? What about my wedding day when she is supposed to help me get ready? Helpless, because I couldn't take the pain away from my mom. Sad because I had to watch her constantly fight her body, to watch her roll over and cry in pain as the chemotherapy silently and slowly tried to kill everything in my mom's body.

People of consequence:

My cousins, aunts and uncles, siblings, and nieces and nephews while camping.

My mom and dad, and best friend Alli in Mexico.

The doctors and nurses.

The pharmacist.

The creepy guys in Mexico that tried to tell my parents good job on their "children"