ya, i know...thanksgiving is up and gone.
but i just can't help but feel so grateful for all that i have.
my husband
a warm house
two amazing families
a body
great food
a washer and dryer (thanks for an early christmas, mom and dad!)
an awesome job that i love
friends
a hilarious dog
tv
slippers
...
i could go on.
but, the thanksgiving holiday started out rough for me. first, my hair started falling out in clumps and that's a scary thing. i have prepared myself for this moment... but it's still more awkward than you can imagine.
next, i heard about the hear wrenching story of John Jones' death. first we didn't know who the man in the cave was. it was a sad story in itself. but when zach heard the name of the trapped, young father and realized it was his favorite MTC teacher, my heart sank once again.
elder patterson and brother jonesthat's not fair. my heart ached all weekend long for his wife. raising a young toddler and another on the way - and no daddy. not fair.
she must be a lot stronger than i am. i am sitting her whining about losing my hair, while she has to pick up and move on with life. alone.
i am learning more each day how fragile our mortal lives are. there's no time to whine or feel bad for ourselves. there is a life to live and we must be grateful for each and every day. how blessed i feel to know the truthfulness of the gospel. dear emily jones will be without john in this mortal life, but they will be reunited again!
i think he was needed to spread the gospel on the other side. but he is missed here.
r.i.p. brother jones.
18 comments:
Jaci, you are so strong. What a great testimony and strong will you have. We are praying for you.
I have thought alot about him as well. It is such a tragic thing that happened, but what a comfort the Gospel brings to us! Thanks for your thoughts. We need to hang out soon!
You are such a great example to me! Love ya!
Jac,
I talked to someone else just recently who also knew John & told me the heart-wrenching details about his last moments. Especially tough for me to hear as well at this time with new baby Skye just arriving. I can't imagine...
You said it so perfectly, life is so fragile. It's funny how we tend to forget that simple phrase until something drastic happens...when all of a sudden we find ourselves or someone close to us holding on to life by the tail. But how amazing it is that we do have a grasp on that tail! That little bit of hope that keeps us stronger until we are out of danger.
My mom always said that time is the greatest healer, and I'm sure in both Emily Jone's life and yours that will attest to be true.
Our prayers are always with you Jaci...thank you for being the strong girl that you are.
Thanks for the amazing reminder. I love you. Here I was concerned and struggling with something so minute and small it is less than a speck of dust in the larger picture that I so often forget to remember. Thank you so much. I really needed that. :)
Jaci! I just wanted to stop by and say thanks again for those adorable beanies! My friend ended up cancelling her shower because she is in the hospital until further notice, so as soon as I can give them to her I will advertise your blog! :) Also, this is such an amazing post! You are way stronger than I will ever be!!!
Where to start? I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are. I still can't even imagine what you are going through, but you are one tough cookie and I know you'll make it through.
Also, I found another way to make the yo-yo flowers. Here is one tutorial here: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-ribbon-flowers.html
but another way to do it with fabric is found here:
http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/how_to_make_a_yoyo/hbyoyotutorial1.html
Good luck to you. I hope all this chemo works.
Hugs
Clumps is exactly the right word. I'm so sorry. I tried being so strong for my son, but I was SO SAD when clumps started coming out. We buzzed his a few days later because hair was always in his eyes. I saved all the hair in a plastic container.
You have such beautiful hair and I'm so sad it's coming out. I will miss it while it is gone.
I think of you all the time and the range of emotions that must go on behind your optimism, faith, and grace. I too was blessed with immense gratitude during the really rough spots. What a beautiful gift. What an inspired perspective you share. Thank you Jaci!!!!!
I'm sorry to hear about your hair. Are you having any other bad side effects? I'm glad to see that the chemo can't affect your strong spirit:) We really do all have a lot of things to be grateful for. Thanks for the reminder
You are an amazing person Jaci. I admire you so much and I am thinking about you all the time. You are so strong and you make me feel stronger everyday through my own trials. Life is fragile and I have been thinking about that a lot lately too. I am so grateful for the Gospel and for Temple marriage. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for being you. I hope you know I am always praying for you! Let me know if you need anything!
Very inspiring words, Jace. I'm sorry about your hair. I can't even imagine. I knew some people who knew John Jones too....makes me feel so very sad for his family, yet so very grateful for every extra day I have. You're right, life is fragile and we all want to do our best to live it to the fullest every moment. I hope you are feeling okay. You are a strong person....your attitude and faith is so inspiring. Love you!
Beautiful post. You are beautiful. Keep strong!
Well said. Oh, and you would look beautiful with or without hair. You're just one of those lucky people! You're in our prayers!
Jaci Lynn, your attitude is amazing and I am so happy to belong to YOU! xoxoxo Mom
Believe me, Jaci IS beautiful even without hair! You are so loved, Jace. Thanks for being who you are.
You are such an example to me! Your words made me realize just how lucky I am to have a loving husband and precious baby. Each day is truly a gift and we should be living it to the fullest. Thanks for your inspiring perspective on life. I'm so grateful to have you as a friend!
You are wonderful. I admire you so much. Love to you. We're praying for you.
Post a Comment