Even Though It’s Hard…

Sometimes it’s really hard to be grateful.

Last night on my way home from the gym, my parents called to tell me that a friend passed away. I don’t know what to do or how to feel (other than terribly sad).

This friend once taught a workshop on the Constitution. I envied his patriotism and understanding of government. I decided then that the only GOP Presidential ticket I would ever vote for would be my Dad and this friend.

When I left for grad school, he gave me a gift. I was surprised and touched that he would think to get me a present: a book titled The Marketing of Evil. I still haven’t read it, but I read the inscription quite often:

“Julie–Best of luck in your continued academic pursuits. Happy reading!”

And he signed his name with this scripture from the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 29:27 “And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.”

Not exactly the “go-get-em” type of scripture that I was hoping for, but I wasn’t really surprised. I think he referenced this scripture because he knew I’d be studying Popular Culture, and he wanted to remind me that I could do that and still stay true to my values and beliefs.

Or maybe he was trying to save my Democratic soul. 🙂

As I flipped through my scriptures last night, I passed another scripture in Mosiah. A prophet is preaching to a group of people who say they want to be part of the “fold of God,” and he tells them they need to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light, be willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort…”

Reading that scripture was instantly soothing–upon hearing the news I felt so helpless, and here was my reminder of what I could do. Mourn with his wife, comfort his children.

Sometimes it’s really hard to be grateful. But I can try: I’m grateful to have known my friend. Grateful for all he taught me, as I taught the adult Sunday School class for three years. Grateful for his incredibly cool wife and his adorable kids.

And grateful to know that they will, one day, all be together again.