Over the summer I was released as a seminary teacher after 5 years, which has been a major life change. I no longer have to get up a 4:45am every day to shower and get dressed in Sunday clothes to be at church by 6am to meet a class full of teenagers. Nor, do I have to spend 2-4 hours a day preparing a lesson about the gospel to present. I am enjoying sleeping in, and the extra time I have on my hands, but I have lost a sense of purpose and part of my identity. I was given the new calling of Sunday School teacher for those same youth, which is a blessing- because the best part of the job is getting to know those kids. I just love teenagers and enjoy their company.
Sadly, one other major change in my life is the passing of my dog, Kobe. He is pictured with me at the top of the blog. He was my constant companion, my best friend for the past 10 years and my business partner for the past 4. Two weeks ago I took him to the vet because he wasn't eating well and found out that he had lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) and it had already spread to his blood stream and bones by the time we knew he had it. We started on Chemotherapy within the week which was successful in shrinking his lymph tumors almost overnight. But within a few days the bone involvement was such that he started getting microfractures in his bones that were so painful for him that we had to make the agonizing choice to have him put down. 2 weeks after his diagnosis he was dead. I am devastated. There is a huge hole in my life and he is sorely missed by our whole family. I started my business because of Kobe and without him, it makes it very hard to continue.
I am also missing my mom and dad and best friends Dick and June Elder who have recently sold their house here in Bellevue and moved to Draper, Utah. They completed our family- they were there to share every trial and triumph, gave counsel, support and unconditional love.
Fortunately, through all of these significant life events I have had Becca home on break from college to support, encourage and entertain me. Somehow she keeps me sane. Soon she will be leaving to go back to Idaho for an internship in graphic design working at a hospital in Blackfoot until school starts up again in January. She is anxious to get back to her life and new challenges.
In contemplating the saying "when God closes a door, he opens a window", I have wondered what the recent losses in my life bode for the future. What opportunities will open up because of, or in spite of recent events- a job change? spending more time in Idaho and Utah with my grandbaby and Dick and June? Time will tell.
