Last week I was scheduled to teach a class while Wes was at Huntsman for his weekly infusion. My niece Stephanie (a busy and beautiful college freshman who has been our neighbor for the past few months) agreed to babysit our kids.
She came a little before four. We exchanged a quick, "Thank you!!!!"/"No problem!!!!" and I dashed.
I came back a little before five. There was another quick exchange: "Thanks so much!"/"Seriously, any time!" and she dashed.
And then I looked around. My kids were playing with blocks on an otherwise toy-free floor. I had not left the floor toy-free. And wait...where were the crumbs? That familiar sprinkling all over my carpet?
"Lucy, did Stephanie vacuum?"
"Yes!"
Yes.
She had also neatly piled our scattered papers, gathered our strewn laundry into a basket, arranged our unmade beds, folded our crumpled clothes... You get the idea. I cried a little as I walked through the transformed rooms. She didn't have to do those things. And it made me think: I want to help like that.
Tonight, in the midst of a bustling cafeteria, a sweet friend saw me and my two little'ns eating dinner together. She put her arm around me and quietly inquired if Wes was having a rough night. He was. I cry a little when I remember her simple kindness. And I think: I want to notice like that.
Last Sunday, a busy, beloved doctor+mother of six caught me after Relief Society and whispered, "I'm making cream of potato soup this week. When can I bring some by?"
I teared up when I told Wes that someone was bringing us dinner on Friday night. And I thought: I want to give like that.
I want to extend myself like the friend who e-mailed me recently with her phone number. In case I wanted to call.
I want to be unconcerned with credit like the people who left Halloween Krispy Kreme doughnuts on our doorstep last Friday (you should have seen Lucy's face. It might have been the best night of her life.)
I want to pray like all of the people whose faith has worked miracles in our behalf.
I want to love like so many of you love.
I met a stranger in the night whose lamp had ceased to shine
I paused and let him light his lamp from mine
A tempest sprang up later on and shook the world about
When the wind ceased to blow, my lamp was out
Back came to me that stranger, his lamp was glowing fine
He held the precious flame and lighted mine
Lon Woodrum, “Lamps.”
I want to light lamps.
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18 comments:
From someone who has benefited in so many ways from your love and kindness, I want you to know you are someone "like that." You are much closer to being the girl you want to be than I think you realize. So thank you for the countless times you have been there for so many others, even in your time of need.
You are. You do.
It seems so simple to do those things but, for some reason it's sometimes hard. After reading this post, I thought, "Lori is that girl." I know we all have improvements to make. But, to me and many others you are exactly that!
Lori, you have lit many lamps, mine included. Those whose lamps you've lit are finally being able to light yours!
You always amaze and inspire me! Thank you.
Lori we love you! Your sweetness and goodness inspires me to do better daily.
You my dear little sister taught us all the meaning of lighting lamps. I'm glad you have so many wonderful friends who are looking out for you and loving you.
Tears are running down my face. That's the girl I mean to be as well. And... like many others have already said... you ARE that girl.
Love you!
Like so many others have already said, you ARE like this. You DO light lamps. I have found myself thinking (on more than one occasion, mind you) that I want to be like YOU. Lori, you will never cease to amaze me. You deserve every bit of love the world is willing to give you.
(Also, I think you should know that this post made me cry. So lovely.)
Nothing to say....Deep, meaningful thoughts, and Tears... Tears... Can't seem to stop the Tears along with sincere prayers... Love you
Did we get our blogs mixed up? Didn't I write this one about wanting to be a girl like YOU? I think so...now just to give you validation...you go out there and improve and let the rest of us know how it goes :)
Still coming for the 7th???? Please please come.
Lori, I want to cry right now thinking of all of the very kind things you did for me while we were neighbors, hardly receiving anything in return. If anyone is like those things, I think it's you.
You ARE that girl! Like many have said and are probably thinking, "I want to be more like Lori." Want to still come and play sometime. Let me know what works.
I agree with you totally Lori. There are so many good examples of people around us that I want to be more like. I also have a babysitter who leaves our house cleaner than she found it. It amazes me that you have these feelings, because it shows me that I guess no one really is perfect, even "Lori Superwoman" has some things she wants to improve. And that's why we are here, to gain those amazing qualities. I'm glad that you are being blessed by others...I want to be one of those people on someone's list, and I hope you know that you are on so many people's. You are amazing and thank you for sharing. :)
Amen. Amen. Amen. I totally look up to you, Lori. You are an amazing woman and as close to perfect as I've ever seen (not to offend anyone else reading this!) =)
Wow. This post was meant for me tonight. :) My first thought when I read about your niece was, I need to find a babysitter like that! But it is so much better to be that type of babysitter or friend. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Thank you for the phone call and lighting the lamp for us always. We love you so much.
Lori,
Most of my interactions with you involve me reading your thoughts and posts about your life.And yet you have had an enormous impact on my life. As I think about the girl that I want to be it is a mix of all the women that have had a role in making me who I am; guiding me, inspiring me, teaching me. You are one of them. You are truly beautiful. I look at pictures of your family and you are physically beautiful with that light up the room smile of yours and the grace that even the cameras capture. But I can honestly say that I have seen more of your inside that I have of your outside. I have met you maybe three times in my life. You have lite my lamp more than once. You are so talented and your testimony shines so brightly From your eyes, your smile, and the words that you type. My favorite quote "Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the realization that there is something more important than fear." You exemplify that kind of faith. Keep reaching for that star but realize that you are a star for so many others to reach towards.
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