In case you are just join me I am trying to live with a grateful heart as I strive to be more thankful. In the month of November I am posting each Thursday something I am grateful for in my life. I have so many blessings and I am choosing to focus on blessings that might not come right to the top of my head like faith, family, health. Those of course are all great things. But I am trying to expand what I am thankful for.
As I was thinking about and pondering what I am glad I have in my life I thought about my dear friends. Now I have quite a few friends that are older than me. But I have an even smaller number of friends that are really older than me. Like they could be my grandparent older than me. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sister Marjorie Pay Hinkley said it perfectly when she said, “We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth.”
My life has been blessed with having women who are so much older than me as dear friends. I realized this year that I need to take pictures with these women so I can remember them always and document our friendships. I have learned so much from them. I think I am a little more prepared for when I get older myself. Always better to have friends who can warn you about the future. And there is something different about getting life perspective from some one who has lived for more than 70 or 80 years. Not that I am revealing anyone’s age.
These two friends have been especially wonderful in helping my family. I have learned so much from their faith and diligence. I have learned so much from their positive outlooks despite their trials and challenges.
This is my friend Omera. You may recognize her name when I talked about the beautiful dresser she gave me years ago. I first met her when I took her a meal. It was so easy. Just one plate of food. She is so grateful and funny. I started stopping by and visiting. My kids loved playing with her puppy Dusty and her little toy cars she had. I found that I felt so good when I was able to visit her. She has shared many tender things with me and blessed my life tremendously. She prayed constantly for Georgiana when she was born and having trouble. I have had many wonderful moments and good times with her. I have been touched when she has shared other young people reaching out and helping her. She is such a great example to me. My children love her. She is brave and kind and faithful. And have I mentioned she has given out over 17 Book of Mormon’s in the last year or so. 17! I think the most I have given out in my entire life is like 8. And she is house bound. But it’s not really a surprise. She is a friend to everyone. I look forward to the day when her body is working perfectly and we can embrace! Time spent with Omera has been time well spent.
This is the famous Grandma Nan. She’s classy, sassy, and a little smart-alikey 
. She is another woman who I want to be like when I grow up. She volunteers at the local elementary school every week. She has been doing if for like, 25 years. She has helped so many children learn to read. She has also been like an extra Grandparent to my children. She gets down on the floor with them and plays around. You can always count on her to hold your baby. She remembers the small stuff and is always such a good listener. And she is a real hoot! I mean sassy and funny! But she is also kind. She gives my kids those Christmas Chocolate Calendars. My kids loved going over to her house and watching cartoons with Papa Dick. We were all so heartbroken when he passed away this fall. And I know it’s hard but she is still helping others. She is still cracking jokes. And she is still influencing others with her testimony and big heart. Probably she is known most for her ability to love others.
And there are other women women in my life who continue to be a great example to me of wonderful mothers, grandmothers, and sisters in the gospel. Women who are full of faith and are diligent in their testimonies in our Savior. Women who seek out ways to serve and help others. Women who put others first. Women who seek out those in need and share their influence. Women who make me want to be better.
I am so thankful for these amazing women. I miss my own Grandmother and my husband’s Grandmother dearly. And I am thankful for these ladies who are examples of women of great faith. And of course I am thankful for all the women in my life. I hope that when I am in my 70’s and 80’s that I can still volunteer and give out Book of Mormon’s. I hope that I will have other women around me, keeping me young. I am sure I will look back at my friendships with these women and treasure them dearly. For good friends are great treasures.
Check out last week’s Thankful Thursday here
