Today is my best friend’s birthday. But I won’t be celebrating it with her as she passed away a little over six months ago. If she were alive, we wouldn’t be celebrating together, either. You see, we had an understanding…She didn’t like her birthday, didn’t want to get older. So, a few years ago I agreed to NOT acknowledge her birthday. It was my gift to her and she appreciated it. But since she not here to complain, I’m going to go ahead and celebrate!
When I was ten she moved into my ward and became my Primary teacher. She was newly-married and had an adorable six-month-old daughter. I would spend as much time as I could at her house after school playing with her baby. She welcomed me into her family. Her family was my family. Her kids were my kids. I loved her children as if they were my own. When I grew older she would introduce me to people, “This is Susan…she raised my kids.”
There isn’t an aspect of my life that she didn’t touch. Because of her husband’s Bishopric calling, I was fortunate to have my best (married) friend attend the single’s ward with me. She was very instrumental in my meeting and marrying my husband. She was there for me for the birth of all of my children. I always knew that when I’d come home from the hospital after having a baby that a huge bunch of pink or blue balloons would be tied to my front railing announcing our newest addition.
She lived the Gospel every day of her life. She was the greatest example of Christ-like love. She was my mother, my sister, my friend. I feel extremely blessed and privileged to have known her. And I miss her very much.
I’ll never forget the great example she was to me. I’ll never forget how blessed I am to have known her. I’ll never forget all the lessons she taught me. I’ll never forget her sense of humor. I’ll never forget where I was the day I learned of her passing. I’ll never forget hearing the words, “My Mom is dead.” I’ll never forget the way I felt at her funeral. I’ll never forget how much I loved her. I’ll never forget how much she loved me.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE JACKMANS
Celebrate garbage day.
Keep your lights off during the day (not only does it save electricity, it doesn’t heat up your house).
Exercise.
Play sports.
Teach your kids how to swim.
Teach your children the Gospel.
Read to your children.
Be an example.
Make your children’s birthdays special.
Remember the true meaning of Christmas and Easter.
Take a lot of snapshots of your family.
Have family prayer.
Have professional photographs of your family taken regularly.
Take family vacations.
Let your children try anything they want.
Help your children excel in what they do best.
Attend the Temple often.
Have confidentiality.
Don’t gossip.
Give service to others.
Teach your children to work.
Make your children responsible for their actions.
Teach your children the value of money.
Do your Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching.
Serve faithfully in the Church.
Have food storage and use it.
Grow a garden.
Bottle your own food.
Be frugal.
Shop at thrift stores.
Love your family.
Make your own Halloween costumes.
Go camping.
Have Family Home Evening.
Don’t drive new cars.
Work hard.
Love your husband.
Love and take care of your extended family.
Learn to play the piano.
Be creative.
Read the scriptures.
Cook from scratch.
Have fun.
Peanuts are protein.
Put lotion on your kids after their baths to keep their skin soft.
Have family council.
Wear hand-me-downs.
Have a sense of humor even (or especially) if you are the Bishop.
Put Vaseline on your babies’ chapped face when they are asleep.
Never push your child down the stairs (hehe).
Live the Gospel.
Be a friend to everyone.
