Beautiful Reminders

Today I spent part of the day at my sister-in-law Stacy's house.  While we were visiting, she took me into her laundry room to show me a project that she had started for the kids, but had never finished. As she was looking through some boxes, she found this sweet little note that she had written down months eariler.  It read...

Found Darylin's keys and stopped to return them on my way to church. After I went into the house and they were in their bedroom with the door closed, I decided to leave. I was giving Ashlynn the message about the keys, when there was a knock at the door. In came Riley and Brinley, I asked why they had come in, instead of waiting in the car. Riley said, "Because I need to give David and Darylin a hug." I asked why and he said, "Because I was told too, they need it". Then he walked back and tried to open their door. They asked who it was and he said, "Riley Kempton". I realized they were not available right then and told Riley we would come back later. When we got to church and the sacrament was starting, I asked Riley why he had felt that he needed to give David and Darylin a hug so bad. He said because he needed to make Dylan happy. I asked, "Why would that make Dylan so happy?" He said, "Because when your best friend goes to heaven, he needs you to make sure his parents are happy."

This was such a wonderful reminder of how close Dylan was right after he passed. I believe that he did prompt Riley to come in and give us a hug. Dylan showed us in so many beautiful ways that he was aware of our sorrow and wanted to comfort us.  I miss feeling him so close, like it was right after his death and even months after. I know he still comes to see us, but not as often now. I am so thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who allowed our son to stay with us for a while to comfort us and also sent others to help carry us, when we had no strength.

Happy Mother's Day

Today has been a wonderful Mother's Day! Last year was so hard for me and I was very sad most of the day. I remember sitting on the bench on my front porch crying my eyes out, and my sweet neighbor across the street saw me and came over to comfort me. She told me that I was a strong woman and said, "You can do this!" It meant so much to me that she had so much faith in me.
I woke up unusually early this morning. As soon as I opened  my eyes the first thought that came to me was of Dylan. In my minds eye, I pictured him floating above me and reaching down to give me a kiss on the cheek. The words, "I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day" also filled my mind. It was just a few brief moments, but that was all I needed! I have learned not to discredit those precious tender mercies that come. How thankful I am for the sweet visit from my angel son! It made my Mother's Day that much more special.

Tender Mercies

I've decided to start recording the little tender mercies I recieve. I must admitted I do wish I would have done this a long time ago. There have been sooo many that I did not write down and that I have forgotten now. Right after Dylan passed they came on a daily basis, sometimes several times a day, but now they come less frequently. Yesterday I was in the bathroom doing something, I can't remember exactly what, but Hayden peeked around the bathroom door and just out of the blue flashed me the sign for I love you in sign language. He just held up his fingers and smiled at me. It surprised me so much because he has never done that before.  It instantly reminded me of Dylan and the sweet picture of him showing I love you in sign language. I remember being at the funeral home in the parking lot getting things ready for the funeral and talking to Stacy. She was getting ready to get in her car to leave and stopped and flashed me the sign...just like Dylan did. Later she told me that she felt like Dylan had whispered in her ear to do that so that I would know he loved me. I think that's what he told Hayden yesterday. I know that he loves me and wants to find ways to still show me.