A Difficult Day

Today was a rather difficult day for me, and many I know. Work was slow and disappointing. I took a late lunch and decided to run across the street for a sandwich.

I was in the center turn lane getting ready to turn into the parking lot, when I saw them. There were four, maybe five motorcycle cops leading a hearse at their usual funeral speed. I was pretty sure I had enough time to get across all three lanes before they reached me, but out of respect for the person at the moment unknown to me, I decided to wait. A second, half thought of trying to beat four cops across traffic might not be such a good idea also flitted through my head. Funerals always make me sad. The police officer closest to me waved his thanks as he passed. I'm sure we were thinking along the same lines...

I wasn't paying attention at first, because like I said, funerals make me sad. Then, it suddenly dawned on me that I work not two minutes from our stake center, and my heart almost stopped. I had a friend in high school who's sister was in a very serious car accident a couple of weeks ago, and I wondered if it was her funeral procession I was watching. Her brother and I weren't that close- mostly we had common friends, and didn't hang out except for when they were all together, so I wasn't keeping up on the latest news. I felt I should stay out of the family's way since I didn't know them that well. My heart sunk lower and lower as the procession grew longer and longer. Who else but a Mormon would have such a long procession?

The procession finally passed, and I had to get through the rest of my day. As soon as I got home, I went to her family's website that was being updated by their bishop. Sure enough, it was her friends and family I had watched on their way to the internment. I was suddenly very glad I had chosen to let them pass, and overwhelmed with sorrow at the same time. I know our church teaches that families are forever, and I know that this family will one day be whole, and I know they know it too. But I also know the agony they are feeling at the sudden loss of one so young, bright, and dear. I know how they must miss her right now, and my heart goes out to the family. I pray they will be comforted and strengthened at this time and know how much we all care for them.