"Family love shines brightest on the world's darkest days." Wes Fessler

As our kids were growing up, I never really expected that they would end up living around us.  To marry a worthy spouse in the temple, I knew that they would have to go away from home.  I knew that they and their spouses would be professionals and would need to travel to where their work was, as we had done.  We believe that we were led to Mount Vernon by the Lord and that our kids would have similar experiences.

So, four years ago, when Emily and Preston moved to Wausau to work for a year before law school, we were thrilled to have one of the kids so close.  At the time, I didn't think much about it, except for "Wow!  Are we ever lucky!"  At the end of their year here, as they were preparing to move to Minneapolis, Ben and Shannon were blessed with a wonderful job in Stevens Point, about 30 miles away.  Joanna, who was newly returned from her mission, also moved to Minneapolis and subsequently, married Ben, who was also in law school in Minneapolis.  So we had three married children and their families within a three hour drive.  Wonderful! We also had been very blessed to visit Joseph and Tracy in Virginia often.  Sarah and Brian and Janet, in Provo, were also frequent visitors and visitees.

Two years ago, our family began to experience some very hard trials.  Some psychologists have developed a life stress test, and boy, we've had lots of them during this time.  As I have reflected on the Lord's tender mercies, I'm thankful for this four year window of being close, phyically and emotionally, to our family.  I don't think it was a coincidence.  We have all been blessed with the love, strength, support and encouragement of those we love.  I am happy that our little grandchildren know and love each other and their aunts and uncles.

Our lives are moving into a new phase now.  Joanna and Ben moved to Rochester, MN, before Janet's wedding.  This past week, we saw Emily and Preston off to a new, exciting adventure in Boston.  Because of Rene's employment, our home and lives are changing, too.  But I feel that this four year opportunity has given us a great base to stay close.  We will still be together as often as possible.  Thank goodness for technology!  We can Skype everyday if we want (and some of us do!).  As I was hugging and kissing Lauren goodbye, tears were streaming down my face.  She asked me what was wrong and I told her that I was sad because I would miss her.  But when she was settled in her house in Boston, we could call and talk to each other on the computer.  And she said, "Okay, Grandma.  Then you can be happy."  And it's true--then I will be happy.  Right now, I'm thankful that three of my babies are within easy reach.  The rest of you better bar the door, because we'll be coming to visit soon.