Something occurred to me today. Like a light bulb going off. My niece has told me several times that she thinks my love language is service. It kind of clicked for me today. She is totally right. That my love language is service. I have always loved to do things for other people. I know my kids do as well. Anyone who knew Laney knew that she loved to make things for her friends. For the people that she loved. Maybe their love language is also service. Maybe by doing little acts of service for them and others I can show them that I love them.

Yesterday, Ally made a survivalist bracelet for me to give to a friend that was struggling. When I gave it to him today, he loved it. It totally made his day that a little girl whom he didn’t even know would do something like that for him. Love language again.

I have always loved the poem that President Thomas S. Monson has shared with us many times about the children who loved mom best. I think it says best how my love language works.

               Which Loved Best

“I love you mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting work his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

“I love you, mother,” said rosy Nell;
“I love you better than tongue can tell;”
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, mother,” said little Fran;
“today I’ll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”
So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

“I love you, mother,” again they said -
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

by Joy Allison

What is your love language? What is the love language of your kids? Our friends? Our spouses? If we make an effort to find out their love language and show them we love them by remembering that, it will go much further than words.

~CTR

In so many ways this week has been a rough one. One of my friends and neighbors passed away as a result of a motorcycle accident. His funeral was yesterday. The entire week brought right back to the forefront our losing Laney. Every emotion, every question, brought right back. Just like that.

In his talk at the funeral yesterday, my bishop (lay ecclesiastical leader) said that we should not use past tense when we talk about our loved ones who have passed away. Because they are simply still on the same path that they were meant to be on all along. That they are just gone from our view. That they still exist. I love how he put that because it is exactly how we feel.

Heavenly Father’s plan that we can be together with our families forever is so amazing. But…it is so incredibly true. It actually keeps me going. Knowing that we will be with Laney again. That she is still around us. One of her favorite church songs, and ironically mine as well is Come Thou Fount. This is my favorite version, so I thought I would share it with you. I listen to it almost everyday.

~CTR

Sometimes life is just plain hard. This week has been a rough one, and it is only Tuesday! I mentioned before how Laney was always at the ballpark running the show every night of the week. She made up the schedules and the team bags. She even wrote the rules. She was so amazing at her job and made everything run so smooth. Seamless.

Last night, my younger girls had their first softball game. It had been my first time down at the park since Laney’s accident. It was immensely difficult to watch HER life go on without her. I spent half the time crying my eyes out. The other half of the time I was upset that they couldn’t seem to run the games as well as Laney. She always did a great job just teaching the girls. Teasing with the men in the adult leagues, and making sure everyone knew what they were doing.

Laney was amazing at what she did. Everything she touched or tried she was good at. I loved that about her. I don’t think they will ever have anyone quite like Laney again. But I have known that all along.

~CTR