GOODBYE'S THE SADDEST WORD

On Friday morning Jason had quite a shock at work. A sweet lady who works in his office, Whitney, collapsed in front of the elevator due to a massive stroke. She was very young, early fifties. They began CPR until the paramedics arrived. She suffered severe bleeding in her brain that couldn't be stopped and was declared brain dead Friday afternoon. Her children had the unfortunate responsibility to take her off life support, so she passed away Friday evening. What a heart-breaking choice for a child to make. It was so very sad, tragic. Hard to believe that her life is over. I can't help but wonder how much time I have left with my own children? How have I impacted their lives and built their character by our relationship? Have I loved them enough, taught them enough? My heart goes out to her children and family. It was a weekend of great contemplation for me. I picked up my own mother from the airport yesterday for a 10 day stay. She's visiting from OR and she's here to see her new grand babies, Kleyton and Tallon. It's hard to believe that while one family can be suffering so, another is celebrating. I held my mother yesterday and wondered how I could ever face a life without her. I love the song, "Goodbye's The Saddest Word" from Celine Dion. It's on my mind today. To some the song is sad, but to me they are such uplifting, poetic lyrics about hope and the unbreakable bond of love. It's how we as individuals are changed through the life we have been given by the love, care and nurturing of our mother. It's about the special relationship between a mother and her child, one that can never be duplicated, substituted or broken, even by death. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to be sealed to my family for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple through the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. What is bound on earth is bound in heaven. What a comforting promise. I know that if I live my life to the best of my ability, if I sacrifice temporal things for spiritual things and exemplify my Savior with all my heart, my family is mine, forever.

GOODBYE'S THE SADDEST WORD
Mamma
You gave life to me
Turned a baby into a lady

Mamma
All you had to offer
Was the promise of a lifetime of love

Now I know
There is no other
Love like a mother's love for her child

And I know
A love so complete
Someday must leave
Must say goodbye

Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye

Mamma
You gave love to me
Turned a young one into a woman

Mamma
All I ever needed
Was a guarantee of you loving me

'Cause I know
There is no other
Love like a mother's love for her child

And it hurts so
That something so strong
Someday will be gone, must say goodbye

Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye

But the love you gave me will always live
You'll always be there every time I fall
You are to me the greatest love of all
You take my weakness and you make me strong
And I will always love you 'til forever comes

And when you need me
I'll be there for you always
I'll be there your whole life through
I'll be there this I promise you, Mamma

Mamma, I'll be
I'll be your beacon through the darkest nights
I'll be the wings that guide your broken flight
I'll be your shelter through the raging storm
And I will love you 'till forever comes

Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye

'Till we meet again...
Until then...
Goodbye