I haven’t posted for over eighteen months. I just wanted to thank everyone for your love, support and prayers. Even though we are doing pretty well, we continue to strive to grieve with God’s guidance.

One of Jordan’s (Ashton’s older brother) classmates (and her family) attended church meetings recently; she was visiting her parents. As I was putting away chairs in the cultural hall, she came to me and said something like, “I just wanted you to know that, when I heard Ashton had died, my heart was broken for you and your family. I lived a long way away, but I thought of you and prayed for you. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to tell you that in person. I just remember Ashton as Jordan’s little brother. He was quiet, but really funny!” Then she said, “Here’s a hug for Ashton”, and then gave me a long hug.

I don’t know why that was so meaningful for me…but it was…even nine years after Ashton’s death. I really appreciated her allowing God’s comfort to be expressed through her. I thought of what one of our friends said when Ashton died: “A village weeps.” Well…more than a village wept!

I also thought of Alma’s invitation to the people at the waters of Mormon to be “…willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light…and…to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort…”

I am so grateful that God helps me carry my burdens, both directly Himself and through sending other ministering angels to help Him. Some of those angels are earthly; others come from the spirit world.