Letter #82 "Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow" ~Dan Rather

Dear Marsha,

Thank you for being so strong. I cannot begin to imagine the long days, sleepless nights and

stress you have had to endure this past year. I am in awe of your courage. Thank you for keeping your humor through this long journey. Thank you for getting up each morning and keeping faith. Thank you for being such a great mom. Your kids love

you so much. We all do.

Thank you for teaching me that butt cracks aren't cute. I remember a particular cabin trip very well. I was in my low rise-hip hugging pants stage (aka lots of crack). I was wearing my scrubs in the kitchen and both you and Craig told me that "crack is wack". I didn't quite understand that phrase but, after a plumber joke, I finally got the hint. I remember I was mad at you and thought, "ugh, that is like SO rude. my pants are totally fine." (note the sassy teenager voice) After that trip, I started to notice that my crack was out in the open a little too much. Needless to say, my low rise days were over.

So, you are probably wondering why I just told you that story... I told it because you taught me three very important lessons that I have continued to carry with me throughout my life.

1. You taught me that butt crack is most definitely NOT cute.

2. You taught/teased me into a tougher skin.

3. You taught me that I can (and should) laugh at myself often.

Thank you for being such a wonderful person. You can always make me laugh. Family parties just aren't the same without Marsha and her witty remarks. Thank you for loving me (even though I despise BYU). I love you and your family so much. Please never stop smiling. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget you and neither will Heavenly Father.

I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of you and the kids. He loves you so much and will always be there. Even when the world seems far away and that you might be alone, you are not. He is there. He loves you.

I love you forever and I am grateful to have you in my life.

Letter #81~ "And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death." D&C 101:29

Dear Heavenly Father,

Yesterday my uncle Craig left his broken body to be with you. He had cancer. Please be with him. Craig is a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and uncle. I try not to be sad about Craig. He was in a lot of pain. Now he is free.

Thank you for your tender mercies. Thank you for the time we were all able to be with him. Thank you for allowing his cancer to go into remission so he could see his beautiful daughter go through the temple and marry her sweetheart.

I know that because my brother Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and was resurrected, I will see Craig again. I know that this life is not the end. Thank you.

I find sweet comfort in Thy hymns. I know these words are true and have real meaning. I love you. Tell Craig we all love him and we will always remember him. Give him a nice big hug from me.

(Click for Mormon Tabernacle Choir YouTube video)

O my Father, thou that dwellest

In the high and glorious place,

When shall I regain thy presence,

And again behold thy face?

In thy holy habitation,

Did my spirit once reside?

In my first primeval childhood,

Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose

Thou hast placed me here on earth,

And withheld the recollection

Of my former friends and birth,

Yet ofttimes a secret something

Whispered, “You’re a stranger here;”

And I felt that I had wandered

From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,

Through thy Spirit from on high;

But until the key of knowledge

Was restored, I knew not why.

In the heavens are parents single?

No; the thought makes reason stare!

Truth is reason, truth eternal

Tells me I’ve a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?

Then, at length, when I’ve completed

All you sent me forth to do,

With your mutual approbation

Let me come and dwell with you.