This month is a month of assorted anniversaries for me. It’s always a contemplative time as I count my blessings and realize how much my Heavenly Father loves me and watches over me.
April 8th – In 1993, I was involved in a fatal car crash while my friend was driving us home from track practice. I feel it a blessing that I don’t remember the horrific scenes after the accident or most of my hospital stay. I do know I became a true believer of seat belts as my lap belt in that old car saved my life.
April 13th – In 2000, Chris’s sister, Cami, passed away at the age of 24. I can’t say enough about Cami’s goodness and strength. She was just one of those people who touched everyone around them and didn’t let her illness keep her down.
April 19th – In 1995, the end of my senior year of high school in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City bombing occurred. We heard the blast in the morning while we were in 1st period band. We didn’t know WHAT it was until the next hour when every single classroom had their television sets on the news channels. I only knew one girl who lost her father but that didn’t stop everyone from pulling together. Our Laurel class made candy leis and took them down to the site for the firefighters and families who were waiting to hear news of their loved ones. I will never forget that day.
Sweet Is the Work
When disaster struck in Oklahoma City last April, rescue workers were on the scene almost immediately. Many workers, who gave up regard for personal safety, made one request. They wanted some candy—it helped to keep their energy up while they were working.
Laurels in the Choctaw Ward, Oklahoma South Stake, went to work, stringing candy “leis†together for the workers to wear around their necks. Other leis were given to bomb victim’s families as a symbol of the love and prayers the Laurels were sending to all the people involved.
“We took the leis to the hospital and met a man whose wife and two sons had been hurt in the bombing. Our leis let them know they were loved and we were behind them,†says Laurel Rebecca Nevin.
(“FYI: For Your Info,†New Era, Dec 1995, 32–35)
April 19th – Two short years later in 1997 (after one month of dating), Chris proposed to me on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT. Four months later we were married and I couldn’t be happier.
April 29th – In 2006, our own Cami was born. We named her after Chris’s sister, which was hard at first. Every time we said her name, we only saw Chris’s sister, but our Cami has grown into her name and really is a “Cami.” We are grateful for how she rounds out and completes our family.
Some of the saddest and happiest moments of my life have happened in April. I feel it a blessing that they occurred during spring and Easter when we are contemplating rebirth and newness of life.
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