Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Gratitude

I feel like one of the greatest lessons that I have learned through the last couple of weeks is how to serve others. Our family has been served and loved in the most incredible ways and by so many people. It has been such a humbling and incredible lesson to learn from my friends and family. I would like to list some of the amazing things that have been done for us in order to give others ideas but mostly just so that I will never forget how the Lord has poured out his tender mercies through those among us who have been so thoughtful, selfless, and inspiring.
-sending sympathy cards
-sending flowers/plants
-writing emails/texts of sympathy and love
-phone calls
-babysitting while I was in the hospital
-the priests not only bringing us the sacrament but also giving us a summary of sacrament mtg.
-lots of hugs
-books that have been sent or suggested to offer comfort
-getting my bedroom not only clean and free from boxes but also having my bed set up and made, candles lit, relaxing music playing, and beautiful plants set out in order to make me feel better about coming home from the hospital without my baby and into a new home that I had never been to.
-beautiful home-made thank you cards that were made for me to pass out
-relief society sisters who helped Cory and our family pack up and clean our condo
-lots of chocolate, magazines, books, a gratitude journal, lamp, pictures, and a plant that were given to me in the hospital
-My friend who came to the hospital almost everyday to have scripture study with me just because she knew I would love it.
-dinners and lunches brought to me at the hospital from friends.
-dinners brought to our family when I got home from the hospital
-the most incredible anesthesiologist ever
-cards that were sent to me at the hospital
-a pedicure in the hospital by my mother-in-law
-my husband who stayed the night with me in the hospital every night while the girls were at grandma and grandpas and then after the girls were home he would come to the hospital for his lunch break everyday and then pick up the girls after work and come back to the hospital.
-amazing nurses and doctors who did everything they could do
-a sister-in-law who bought me and my girls dresses to wear to the graveside service so that we wouldn't have to worry about it.
-grandparents who sent money
-In-laws who have traveled back and forth from Asheville to Fayetteville a dozen times
-Logan and his fiance who drove out right away after the surgery to help with the girls and give support
-My family who drove from Texas to N. Carolina as soon as they heard the news
-My mom who has stayed by my side for almost 3 weeks
-My mother-in-law who calls to check on me everyday
-My sister who literally unpacked and organized our entire house
-Cory's co-workers who brought meals to us for a week
-Friends who I haven't talked to in years who reached out through letters, packages, and emails to offer their love and sympathy
-A huge group of men and youth who helped Cory move us
-priesthood and father's blessings given
-My sister-in-law and her family who flew out from Las Vegas and my other sister-in-law who flew out from BYU for the graveside service and to show us their love and support
-and last but NOT least....
MANY, MANY prayers which have lifted, comforted, and sustained us in the most miraculous way
"Thank you" just doesn't do justice to the overwhelming amount of gratitude and love that we feel for our friends, from near and far, and all of our family; siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, who have done so much for our little family and who have supported us through such a difficult time. As a family, we are praying daily for opportunities to serve others because I think that is the only way that we will ever be able to show our thanks. We truly believe that their are angels among us. :) We love you all.

3 comments:

Sherrie said...

Melissa,
Your thoughts of remembrance and gratitude have touched me deeply and increased mine as well. Thank you for the reminder that God in our lives every day through the gift of others. I pray I can be his hands today in some way.
Love Mommy by the beach

Amber said...

Thanks for sharing such wonderful and personal experiences. I think it's such a testament to the kind of person and friend you are that so many felt so inclined to help. You are always so willing to serve and love everyone. It's only natural that they would come full circle to you when you needed it.

MANDY said...

so, true, amber. all of those gifts of service were Heavenly Father's hugs and "i love yous".

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