For me as a child I grew up in a strong LDS household; with a loving father, mother and a wonderful older brother. The four of us were unstoppable. My childhood was a Fairy-tale.
Growing up, my Dad worked for an Airline company called South-West. With that job we had many opportunities to travel with little to no cost at all. My favorite memories with this deal is coming home from school to my Mom telling me that Dad scored tickets to Disneyland and we would be leaving shortly. haha. Oh the many memories I have at Disneyland with my amazing family of four. Also, I remember that we got to travel to countless LDS Temples; wither it be to go to the open house or to just walk around and feel the peaceful feeling that is there. What an amazing experience that was for me and always made me look forward to the day when I could go inside.
My fairy-tale life got hit when I was eleven and half years old and life as I knew it changed more than I could imagine. I remember it was February 26 the day after my Mom's birthday. It was the morning of the big bake sell for my little cooking club.
(We were called S.H.A.R.K.S. a letter for each of us in the service club, we cooked for those in our community that were in need wither it be they had a baby or just needed some cheering. Anyway we had a bake sell that morning to raise money so that we could continue to help those in need)
My Dad came into my room bright and early to wake me up, we prayed together and went out to help my mom with some light breakfast as a family we ate and talked. Then before to long the honk of the car came and it was time for me to go. I hugged my mom and told her to hug my brother for me. My dad walked me to the door and I hugged him so tight I was quite the "daddy's girl" he told me I loved me and I said it right back. As I ran out the door he called me and said "Ri, you will always be my little princess" without thinking to much a came back hugged him again and said I can't wait to see you when I get back. He gave me that awesome cheesy smile of his and off I went.
Less then two hours later I got a call that I needed to get home as soon as possible. Knowing this wasn't a good sign I began to panic. The family friends that were driving me home were acting weird, that of course didn't help the situation. As we pulled up my street there were a ton of cars, I ran into the house and everyone was there crying...... I ran through the crowd and found my mom. She took me back to her room and as strong as he could as me to bare my testimony to her and then told me that my daddy her husband had been called back to Heaven today.... Will tears streaming down my face we cried together but knew we needed to be strong.
My mom is my hero!!!! She was so strong and still is to this day. I don't know how she did it all on her own. Three jobs and raising us kids through the crazy teenage years..... I admire her and I am grateful for the time we had to spend together. When my brother was on his mission my mom and I got super close. She is my best friend, defiantly more than a mom.
My brother is awesome! Being 16 and a half going through the stage when you need your dad the most and he lost his, he still chose to go on a mission. He was a great missionary and I loved the time we have had together! He is my best friend.
Through the thick and thin we have made it through with the help of our Savior and our amazing friends and family too. I am grateful for the plan of Salvation and for the life and journey I have ahead of me.
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