Heaven in Here

I stole this book from my sister while waiting for baby #2 and was pleasantly surprised by the insights it shared.  I cried at times and frequently checked in with my own self to measure my commitment to motherhood and my relationship with Heavenly Father.  I was surprised not so much by the tragedy of her life but by her unabashed desire to be a good wife and mother above everything.  You don't hear that voice a lot and it was nice.

"These cornerstones of faith, family, and community were the framework of my life before the accident, and I thank God that they were strong enough to support me afterward, too.  When the worst happened, that foundation withstood tremendous pressure but didn't collapse.  Quite the opposite: it carried me, and in doing so confirmed my belief that the single most important thing in life is to hold your family and your friends close.  Beautiful possessions and material comforts are wonderful, and looking and feeling great are blessings, too.  But the connections I had with my Heavenly Father and other people - my husband, my children, parents, siblings, and friends - had always been the priorities in my life.  I hope I appreciated how lucky I was to have those things before the accident.  I know I have been thankful every day since."