Gag Me With A Spoon

By Kaci Goodrich Uipi

I don't have many friends. Shocking, right? One of the toughest things for me to do right now is to be happy for somebody else. I mean, my life sucks, so why shouldn't everyone else's?

I get on Facebook and I see pictures of people's sewing projects. Yuck. Gag me with a spoon. I see conversations about activities to which I'm not invited. Gross. And here comes the worse one of all--baby pictures. Disgusting. I mean, I know I posted baby pictures of Joshua on FB, but that was after he passed away. Yes, I'm sure that I myself, will want to show the world pictures of my next adorable baby, but for now, it would be nice if people kept their happy lives to themselves.

Call me what you like--grumpy, grouchy or the grinch. Actually--it's a Ms. Grinch to you.

Lessons Learned

By Kaci Goodrich Uipi

Treat others with kindness. Don't judge. Don't take life for granted. Remember that everyone you meet is facing a hard battle. Love everyone. Remember that life is short. Put your faith in God. Don't ever give up. Put others first. Be patient. Don't lose sight of what is most important.

These are just a few of life's simple lessons that are learned when a loved one dies. But there's got to be something more. Something I'm missing. Or is this it?

You know when you have those a-ha moments? When those moments come to me, I'm usually meditating, such as writing in my journal, praying, or sitting quietly. I think, "wow, this is some good stuff that I don't want to forget!" But as I start jotting it down, I quickly realize how simple and everyday that wisdom really is.

I've come to the conclusion that it's really the Holy Ghost who is teaching. And in that particular moment, is able to strongly penetrate my soul in a way that allows my mind and heart to know and remember what my spirit has known all along.

Death

By Kaci Goodrich Uipi

Death is an interesting thing. For the most part--it scares me. I will always wonder in which way I will die--will it be painful, or will it be peaceful? I will hope, and pray, that it will be as calm as possible. However, I can't take away the agency of another person, nor can I control Mother Nature--and all that she has to offer.

The process of the spirit leaving the physical body is another mystery to me. When exactly it happens, and how, I will probably never know in this life, well--until it happens to me that is.

Watching someone else die is something that most people don't get to experience, and I know I should be grateful for that blessing. Joshua died in a peaceful manner--as peaceful as it could have been, I suppose.

I sometimes imagine that his spirit might have left his little body much sooner than I think it did, or at least before the doctor actually pronounced him "dead". The night before he died, there was a sign that kept appearing to me. I believe that it was telling me of the things to come--or who knows--maybe of the things that had already come to pass.

This can all be summed up in one word: Faith. Faith in God and in his plan. Faith to believe that life does not end in the grave. Faith to endure--and faith to believe that we will see all those who have passed on again some day.