Weekend

 When you live with your parents you have everything except peace:

I had my computer at home Thursday night because I took it to my training.  On the very rare occasions that I have had my computer home, I plug it in to charge overnight in the hallway on the floor so I will not forget it the next morning.

I had plugged it in at my desk and guess what I forgot?

I didn't realize it until I was walking into school.  I saw Alissa and I said, "I forgot my computer!"  Her eyes got big.  We both knew that I couldn't function without my computer.  I would need it to take roll, access my lesson plans, teach math and phonics.  

I need my computer.

I said, "I have to go home and get it!  Tell someone to cover my class because I will be a few minutes late."

I couldn't believe it!  As I was driving away from school, I remembered Mark.  He has class on Friday morning but maybe if he hadn't left yet, he could meet me somewhere with my computer.  I called him and he said he would bring it to me.

I thanked him a million times and went back to school.  I saw Alissa in the hall and she said, "You're back already?"

Riley was there and he said in his never-reacting-to-a-crisis way, "You don't need a computer to teach.  Just show a movie."

"How?" Alissa asked.

"I would need a computer," I told him.

"Hm," he said, realizing we were not wrong.

A few minutes after the bell rang, one of the secretaries came in with my computer and said, "Your son brought this.  Did you know he was going to do that?  He is so nice!"

I concurred and then she said, "He looks just like you."

I told Mark later and apologized.  I know it isn't his dream to look like his mother....

Especially this place:

When I was walking into the temple on Saturday morning, I saw Tito.  He is in our ward and also has lymphoma.  Cancer buddies!  He said, "This is the perfect place to see you."

I agreed. 

In the dressing room, I saw Caroline who is one of my teacher friends.  We hugged because when you see a friend at school, you say "Hi, how are you?" and when you see a friend at the temple, you hug.  That's just science.

We remarked how great it was to see each other somewhere besides school.  Especially this place.

The temple is just a bit of heaven and I think that's why I want to hug my friends there.

Deep Dark Shannon:

After the temple, I met Shannon for lunch.  With Adam gone it was really nice to have some diversions planned for the day.  We went to Seven Brothers which I had never been to because of the intimidating size of their burgers.  But Shannon knew they had shrimp and salad and that's what we got and it was delicious.

We sat for a few hours. We talked about pride and humility and the big lessons we are learning.  She told me she is listening to every conference talk President Nelson has ever given and it is changing her.  When I told her it made me a little uncomfortable how kind everyone was being to me because I didn't always feel like I deserved it, she said, "Well I can start being mean to you."  And she could.  Shannon doesn't keep it a secret about how she feels and I love her for it.  We discussed cancer and the temple and her job and people we are worried about and faith and foreboding and our flabby arms and cleaning the church. So as you can see, basically everything.  

For the record, we would both be willing to pay extra tithing and not have to clean the church.

At one point she told me, "This is Deep Dark Shannon."  Then she told me what she thought about something.

Another time I said, "This doesn't paint me in a great light, but..."

There is really nothing like good friends.

Adam on stage:

Adam was in Chicago for a WGU graduation (and now he's in England, but not for a graduation).  He has been invited to be on the stage, but has never wanted the hassle.  With his new role, he was more invited (is that a thing?) to be on the stage, so he relented.

He texted that he was not used to having someone dress him and he sent this picture.  

He also said his team teased him about wearing a suit to a graduation when he usually wears jeans. 

It made me wish I was there with him.  I always wish I was with him. 

President Nelson:

I cried when I saw the article that he had passed away. (Braeden sent it.  He is my best source of Church announcements.)  We will miss him.  I never met him, but he had a huge impact on my life.  It is not even coincidental that Shannon and I had just talked about him and his teachings.  He made a difference in our thinking and discipleship and lives.

When I was at the temple, I was thinking about my grandparents.  I will love to be reunited with them someday.  I feel the same way about prophets.

Can I hear them speak again when I'm in heaven?  Because I would love that.

Heavy Heart:

I first heard about it from my friend Jill.  She was texting with condolences about President Nelson and the shooting/fire that happened at a church in Michigan.  Jill is a true example of Christlike love and I wish I was still her neighbor.

My heart aches for the people who, like me, got ready for church expecting to sing and pray and partake of the sacrament.  Like me, they were expecting to see their friends and hear words that brought them peace or perspective or guidance for whatever was happening in their lives.

I feel shocked and sad.  I feel like attacking schoolchildren and church worshippers is the ultimate cowardice.  Sometimes it is exhausting to live in a fallen world.

I do know that goodness and love and light win.  They always win.

I believe in Christ.