I have been overwhelmed with emotion as I had two special people in my life return to their Heavenly Father this week, to become His perfect angels.
****
This is my beautiful friend Charlotte. I love her so much. We met in Hygiene school 3 years ago, and instantly became great friends. I have always admired everything about her. She has a way of seeing the best in everything around her, and has an incredible amount of faith. She was blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Brannick Benjamin, last September. He was born 3 months early, and weighed only a tiny 14 ounces. I remember the day Char told me I could come to the hospital and finally her little Brannick. I don't think I've ever felt the spirit more strongly than when I was around this little guy. This baby boy was so close to the spirit that every time I was near him, it was as if we were standing with angels. Brannick lived to be 6 months old, and 8 whole chubby pounds. He was darling, but his precious little lungs just wouldn't hold up. Charlotte asked me to come visit with him one last time before his passing this last week. It was the first time I was able to see her hold him. He knew him Mommy that's for sure. It was a beautiful moment that I will always hold dear. Charlotte is a beautiful woman, wife, and mother. I watched her kiss her baby one last time on this earth at his little viewing, and admired her unshakable faith. Brannick was sent to this earth for a purpose. He has strengthened my testimony. He has made me recognize that this is not the end. Our time on earth is so short, and it is meant to serve and love others. He served his mission well, and is on to bigger things now. I am grateful that I was able to be a part of this sweet, little miracle of a boy's life.
*****
This is a picture of some of my good friends from Hygiene school taken last summer. The beautiful girl with the long dark hair, and gorgeous smile on the top, in the middle is my dear friend Pam. She also passed away this last week. She found out she had a rare form of cancer in her heart the summer after our 1st year in school. She took a year off for chemo treatments, and then came back to school to finish her last year once she was feeling better. She is amazing. The cancer came back this last year attacking her lungs & then her spine, but she kept fighting. I was told she was at school every day doing her best, and staying positive even though she was bound to a wheelchair, on oxygen, and in terrible pain. She was awarded an honorary diploma last week, just before her passing. She truly deserved it. I am grateful that I was able to know this sweet, beautiful girl. She is truly a fighter, and a wonderful example of a true friend.
This week has been rough, but it would be so much harder without my knowledge of the gospel. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that has brought these beautiful people into my life. I'm grateful for the atonement. I have a glimpse now at how hard it might have been for our Heavenly Father to watch his Son suffer, as I watched how hard it was for my friend to watch her son in pain. I wish I could've taken it away from her. I wish I could've carried that burden for her. I know our Savior can, and I find peace in that. I'm grateful for the temple, and for eternal families. This is not the end. Charlotte will be able to raise Brannick one day, and when she does, he will be free from tubes and pain. That will be a beautiful day. I'm grateful to be a member of this beautiful gospel, and can't wait for the day when I will see those sweet angel friends of mine again.
