We enjoyed a fabulous weekend with family to see my sister-in-law, Emma, preform as the lead character Winifred in the play Once Upon A Mattress. She was tremendous and the play was hilarious! Not only did Levi and I both get to attend (with baby of course -- hooray for his first play!) but Poppie came, too! This was special because on Saturday we got to sort of celebrate Nonnie and Poppies anniversary with him. Their wedding anniversary is the biggest celebratory event since Nonnie passed away, and it was great to surround him with love on that day.
Poppie told us his version of how he and Nonnie met:
He was at a post office to send a letter to his girlfriend back home. Nonnie was working there and asked him if he knew anything about the Mormons and if he would like to know more. Poppie was always intrigued with theology and was curious to find out more, so Nonnie extended the invite to church and to a fireside. Then, as the saying goes, "The rest is history."
What a devout woman of faith and courage!
On Sunday, we were graced with a talk by Gabby (her very first one in sacrament meeting) and she taught a lesson that Nonnie had taught in an FHE on choice and accountability:
Instead of asking ourselves, "What should I do?" we should ask, "What will this lead to?" She gave the example of how we can come home after a very long and tiring day and be tempted not to read our scriptures. If we simply ask, "What will this lead to," we will know that skipping one day isn't too terrible that it may lead to skipping the next night and then the next night.
I admire Nonnie for that advice and inspiring counsel.
The next few speakers talked about wonderful, enlightening things such as giving God our complete trust, but one piece of a story seemed to really catch my attention:
His sister gave him the counsel to smile and say hi to everyone at school and to especially seek out those who were alone. He then proceeded to say that this ended up saving a buddy from taking his own life.
This example lead me to think of Nonnie and the story I heard at her funeral about how she couldn't see very well and so she would just make sure to smile and say hi to everyone so she wouldn't miss saying hi to one of her friends. She always found a way of making others feel loved.
Nonnie was always brave and full of joy. From what I understand she was in a whole lot of pain for the last 20-30 years of her life and she never stopped smiling and laughing and causing others to do the same. Not to mention the fact that she was always looking for reasons to share the gospel with others (most of whom were doctors or nurses.) She is a hero in many many aspects of her life.
I was proud to wear her ring because of the legendary woman I had heard she was (through Steph) before I even met Levi or Nonnie, and I am proud to wear it now for the woman it makes me want to become. How grateful I am to have the reminder from my gorgeous ring of such a strong woman in such a frail body. How grateful I am that this ring reminds me not only of her and her life well-lived, but of the covenants Levi and I made as we were sealed together for time and all eternity as husband and wife. This small golden symbol of marriage is something I will always cherish as I strive to do my best to carry on the legacy she left with it.
