Matters of Life and Death

I attended a funeral today for a friend who had a lifetime of impact on everyone he met--and in my view-- particularly to my children and the boys of our ward while they were growing up. Bill was only 51, and his death was unexpected. Like my young mother years ago, he suffered a massive heart attack and slipped away as his wife and paramedics helplessly tried to save him. Today we all joined to laugh and cry and bid Bill good-bye for now. His sister-in-law spoke of Bill as a "rescuer" and told the legendary story of Bill and the "bear can." We laughed as we recognized the Bill we knew in the words that honored him. One morning a few years ago, my friend April and I were on our morning walk. It was very early. The only living that were awake seemed to be us, some birds and insects, and some barking dogs. We walked down the street in front of the Abbotts'. Across the road from them lived a couple of women (that's another story) who had show dogs, and that morning, as we walked by, their German shepherd came over the fence, right at us--growling and barking. I was petrified and prepared to die. April was braver, but there may have been a slight amount of screaming. As we stood, frozen to the ground with fear, Bill came flying from his house like Superman on a mission. He grabbed the dog and pulled him to the ground, speaking firmly and returning the unfriendly canine to his own backyard. Bill rescued us another time when we had frozen faucets in our new house. There he was and refusing to take money. It is always a time to consider the fragile nature of life. You never know if you will live to be ninety like my friend Donna or be called home in what seems like an young and untimely death. Bill affected many lives, including mine. He was a force for life and laughter and service and family and scouting and love for others. Good-bye for now, Bill.

Matters of Age and Wisdom

I have a delightful 90-year-old friend named Donna. She is spunky and inspirational and indominable. Last month she collapsed while working out at the Fitness Center and was rushed to the hospital where doctors inserted a pacemaker and sent her home to continue to make the world a better place. When I visited her, she said, "I don't know why the Lord doesn't just take me home. I guess I still have lessons to learn." I hardly think so, Donna! Besides her mission as a young woman, she served three additional missions with her sweetheart Arvil, and together they raised seven children. She has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews with their children, and neighbors and friends around the world. When I met Donna seven years ago she was still working as a kindergarten aide at an inner-city school and manning the counter at Burger King in the evenings! When Arvil died a few years ago, Donna took disabled veterans into her home to care for them! Ron died, and veteran Bill took his place in Donna's care last year. Donna's nephew was in need and homeless, so he is living there now, too. Donna drives them to appointments and feeds them three times a day. She is a visiting teacher, an inspiration in every Sunday class, and a guiding force at book club. So I say, "Donna, you are still here not because you have lessons yet to learn but because so many of us still have lessons to learn from you!"