Draw Nearer

My Daddy......

Little Bear Cubs,

Tonight I wanted to write you a letter about something that has been weighing heavy on my mind and heart lately....."grieving". I recently began reading a book about grieving and loss - as a goal that I set for myself, to completely mourn the loss of my Daddy. He passed away when I was a little girl - and I never fully grieved his loss.....which I am beginning to understand now. Grief is something that each of you will experiences in life....not just when someone dies....but when life takes unexpected turns, we deal with sickness, disappointment, or you are simply wishing you could change certain relationships in your life.


I wanted to share some profound words from President Thomas S. Monson.

"Frequently death comes as an intruder. It is an enemy that suddenly appears in the midst of life’s feast, putting out its lights and gaiety. Death lays its heavy hand upon those dear to us and at times leaves us baffled and wondering. In certain situations, as in great suffering and illness, death comes as an angel of mercy. But for the most part, we think of it as the enemy of human happiness.......

The darkness of death, however, can ever be dispelled by the light of revealed truth.
I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live... And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
This reassurance... could well provide the peace promised by the Savior when He assured His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

"This is the knowledge that sustains. This is the truth that comforts. This is the assurance that guides those bowed down with grief out of the shadows and into the light. It is available to all.

"How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so I ask, “What are we doing with today?” If we live only for tomorrow, we’ll eventually have a lot of empty yesterdays. Have we been guilty of declaring, “I’ve been thinking about making some course corrections in my life. I plan to take the first step—tomorrow”? With such thinking, tomorrow is forever. Such tomorrows rarely come unless we do something about them today.

Let us ask ourselves the questions: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?” What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace—to have inspired gratitude in another human being.

Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved."



I am learning the grieving process is one of joy. Grieving does not mean that you sit and cry all day....for days upon end. It means that you allow yourself to "feel" - "accept" - and not "fear".



Continuing President Monson's words...

"It gives hope. It motivates change. We can turn from the paths which would lead us down and, with a song in our hearts, follow a star and walk toward the light. We can quicken our step, bolster our courage, and bask in the sunlight of truth. We can hear more clearly the laughter of little children. We can dry the tear of the weeping. We can comfort the dying by sharing the promise of eternal life. If we lift one weary hand which hangs down, if we bring peace to one struggling soul, if we give as did the Master, we can—by showing the way—become a guiding star for some lost mariner."


Because I am allowing myself to feel and to grieve... I am beginning to truly understand that life is fragile and death is inevitable. We have to make the most of each day.



When I was in the hospital, laboring with each of you - Daddy read me words of some of my favorite hymns. One of which has brought me strength and courage through every difficult situation in my life. It's called "Where Can I Turn For Peace?"


Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart, Searching my soul? …
He answers privately, Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind, Love without end.




THAT is HOW, little bear cubs. That is how.


I love each of you....with everything. The way I know MY Daddy loves me.