My heart goes out.....

These past few days I have been thinking of a friend of mine that I am not very close to and barely know, but my heart goes out to her and her husband in a way that probably wouldn't if I weren't a parent. My friend Arae recently gave birth to a little boy who had severe heart defects and only lived for 11 hours. She asked on Sunday, October 11th that those who were of the faith to join in fasting for her that she may be able to hold her baby boy who was to be born on October 12th by C-Section. They knew their baby boy Tristan would not live a long life but the hope was that they would be able to spend a little time with him as a family before he joined our father in heaven.

In an answer to many prayers and the combined fasting of several friends and family, Arae and her family were able to spend 11 precious hours with their sweet baby boy and even give him a name and blessing before he passed on. While I have thought of this family several times this week, I recently read about the memorial service they are holding this Saturday and saw the sweet picture of the parents holding their darling baby boy and I just become overwhelmed with emotion and grief. The picture of course reminded me of when I held my newborn babies and how hard it would be to let them go after such a short amount of time. I know the Lord has a plan for us all and that we can have eternal families by living his teachings. What a blessing it is to have the gospel in our lives and I know that I am going to cherish my children each and every day I get to spend with them. In fact, I think I am going to go and kiss both of them goodnight one more time.