February Memories: The Opportunity

My mom was really good at serving others but this experience is more about HOW she served rather than what she actually did.  We had a dear older couple in our ward, the Brinkerhoffs,  and they were really wonderful people.  I am not sure of all the details but as they aged, their health got very bad. Nina was blind and had lots of other trials.   More than anything else, they wanted to stay in their own home together, but the possibility was not looking promising.  I don't think they had family nearby and their needs were becoming greater.  There was something that had to be done several times each day (I think it was a blood test?), so my mom and her friends got together and organized forces.  They came up with a schedule where they would each go in and help this couple out with the test.  And that is just what they did!  I don't know how long it lasted but it was for a while, at least several months, maybe years.

But here is the important part....my mom seemed to find such JOY in this service.  She definitely saw the whole thing as a great opportunity.  I never heard her complain about it or act like it was an inconvenience.  I am sure it was very inconvenient at times. Instead, she always talked about the Brinkerhoffs with such love.  She felt that she learned so much from being around them and from being in their home.  Sometimes we would run errands, and she would say she needed to be back at a certain time for her responsibility.  But most of the time, she never said anything...she just went and did it.  I bet she didn't have any idea how much that example has impacted me in later years.  When I think of her service, I am reminded that often as we serve others, we are the ones who benefit the most.  I know that she certainly felt that way about this opportunity, and it is a great reminder to me as I serve my family and others.

(This picture was taken just a few days before I left on my mission when I went with my mom to say goodbye to this wonderful couple.)