Today has felt very surreal for me. I found out on Monday that my friend, Connie Hogan, was very sick with the stomach flu. Wednesday night, just down the street from us, were several police cars and an ambulance.
As I was heading out the door to go to our Relief Society activity, I stopped by Connie's house to see if she was being taken to the hospital, and what the police cars and ambulance were all about, and if there was anything I could do to help. One of our neighbors, and the Hogans really good friend, was there with them and told me that Connie had passed away just an hour or so earlier. That moment will be forever etched in my mind.
My head is still having a hard time wrapping around this news. We weren't super close friends, but Connie is one of those people that just works her way into your heart, and I grew to love her so much. She's one of the smartest people I know, and she knows something about everything. With a super testimony of the Gospel, a beautiful smile and attitude, and an infectious laugh.
And it's hard to let go.
I've lost cousins and grandparents, and have known people throughout high school that have passed away, but I've never had a friend that I cared so deeply about pass away. This is really hard for me. And, I never thought that my first funeral as the RS President would be for a friend.
So, that's why today has been surreal. I keep thinking that I'll drive down the road and see Connie coming around the corner after picking up one of her six kids from some activity or another. Or see her at Scouts. She was B's scout leader right now. And Scott's last year. So, they're feeling her loss as well.
Because of my calling in the church, I have received numerous phone calls and fb messages with offers of help and wanting to know what was needed. But, it's hard to be strong when all I want to do is break down and cry. But, my mom reminded me to look to the Savior and He will help me be strong at those exact times when I need to be.
Case in point - B and one of the Hogan boys is in the same class at school and church. They're best friends, and since that first day when Zach came over to play with the "new neighbors" (us), they've been almost inseparable. B told me that at school all of their classmates made cards for Zach to give to him when he comes back to school. I asked B if he wanted to do something for the Hogan family, and he said that he did, but didn't know what he could do.
But, I knew. Because as I was heading out to run some errands and escape fb for a little bit, I looked over at the Hogan's home and saw some leaves in the front yard. Not a lot, but enough that my boys could go rake. And, I had the thought come to my mind that my boys could do a small act of service for the Hogan's (really the only thing a 6, 9, & 10 year old can do) by raking up their leaves. And I know that thought came from a loving Heavenly Father.
And, when I mentioned that idea B loved it. So, we packed up our rakes and some bags, and the boys went and raked up their leaves. I was so happy and touched watching my boys do an act of service for somebody else - and to do it willingly. At that moment, I was able to be strong for my boys and teach them about acts of service. And in the next several days as the funeral is being planned, as well as the luncheon afterward, I know my Savior will help me to be strong.
Because He promised to lift and guide me during the difficult times in this calling.
So, to a wonderful friend . . . Connie Hogan, thank you for your example to me, your words of advice, the laughter, sharing the frustrations over our boys, and, ultimately, for working your way into my heart.
I'll never forget.
As I was heading out the door to go to our Relief Society activity, I stopped by Connie's house to see if she was being taken to the hospital, and what the police cars and ambulance were all about, and if there was anything I could do to help. One of our neighbors, and the Hogans really good friend, was there with them and told me that Connie had passed away just an hour or so earlier. That moment will be forever etched in my mind.
My head is still having a hard time wrapping around this news. We weren't super close friends, but Connie is one of those people that just works her way into your heart, and I grew to love her so much. She's one of the smartest people I know, and she knows something about everything. With a super testimony of the Gospel, a beautiful smile and attitude, and an infectious laugh.
And it's hard to let go.
I've lost cousins and grandparents, and have known people throughout high school that have passed away, but I've never had a friend that I cared so deeply about pass away. This is really hard for me. And, I never thought that my first funeral as the RS President would be for a friend.
So, that's why today has been surreal. I keep thinking that I'll drive down the road and see Connie coming around the corner after picking up one of her six kids from some activity or another. Or see her at Scouts. She was B's scout leader right now. And Scott's last year. So, they're feeling her loss as well.
Because of my calling in the church, I have received numerous phone calls and fb messages with offers of help and wanting to know what was needed. But, it's hard to be strong when all I want to do is break down and cry. But, my mom reminded me to look to the Savior and He will help me be strong at those exact times when I need to be.
Case in point - B and one of the Hogan boys is in the same class at school and church. They're best friends, and since that first day when Zach came over to play with the "new neighbors" (us), they've been almost inseparable. B told me that at school all of their classmates made cards for Zach to give to him when he comes back to school. I asked B if he wanted to do something for the Hogan family, and he said that he did, but didn't know what he could do.
But, I knew. Because as I was heading out to run some errands and escape fb for a little bit, I looked over at the Hogan's home and saw some leaves in the front yard. Not a lot, but enough that my boys could go rake. And, I had the thought come to my mind that my boys could do a small act of service for the Hogan's (really the only thing a 6, 9, & 10 year old can do) by raking up their leaves. And I know that thought came from a loving Heavenly Father.
And, when I mentioned that idea B loved it. So, we packed up our rakes and some bags, and the boys went and raked up their leaves. I was so happy and touched watching my boys do an act of service for somebody else - and to do it willingly. At that moment, I was able to be strong for my boys and teach them about acts of service. And in the next several days as the funeral is being planned, as well as the luncheon afterward, I know my Savior will help me to be strong.
Because He promised to lift and guide me during the difficult times in this calling.
So, to a wonderful friend . . . Connie Hogan, thank you for your example to me, your words of advice, the laughter, sharing the frustrations over our boys, and, ultimately, for working your way into my heart.
I'll never forget.
1 comment:
Oh Renee, I am so sorry! I will have you in my prayers, you are a strong wonderful woman and I know the Lord will bless you and the Hogan family.
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