September 2003, I was with Mom and her sister, Gladys in Illinois. We started the day by going to church and then it was on to Carthage. After our tour of the Carthage Jail, we headed headed south and a bit east, then west. It was like an extended ride in the country which was a favorite past time of Mom's. After our trip in the country, we returned to Nauvoo, where we had been staying the few days.
I remember Mom saying something about this being the last chance to see Nauvoo and that she didn't expect to live much longer. It disturbed me hearing this and when she would say things like that on the trip, I would try to ignore it. You might say I was in denial that she was an old lady and she could kick the bucket.
A year after Mom passed, I took a ride on the Trax red line. When the train got to the South Jordan Parkway, I decided to get off instead of continuing on to the end of the line,which was the next stop. I was glad I did. I looked east and saw the Oquirrh Temple. Mom would have been pleased to see that. She always loved to see a temple. She always made in a point to go to the Idaho Falls and Boise temple when the Paul 2nd had temple trips. She even made regular trips to the Logan temple with a group of friends. When Mom went to Nauvoo, we did a session each at the Winter Quarters and Nauvoo temples. And when the Twin Falls temple opened, her home teacher, Clint Harper took her often.
Each September my thoughts will return to the passing of my mother, just like each February when I think of my father. I felt such a huge void when Dad passed. But I have noticed that it has become less noticeable as time passes. And it will be like that with Mom. I will always miss my parents, but I will always feel their love for me; looking forward to the time I will see them again. The voids will always be there and I realize nothing will fill those in my life, but the pain will dim. I will continue to move on in my life. My parents have set an example that I can follow as trials and opportunities come my way.
