Last Thursday

Thursday afternoon was nice and sunny. I've been wanting to get out walking and thought it would be a great idea to walk Todd to school. When Ken got home for lunch I convinced him to eat a quick bite and walk with us. He did. After dropping Todd of at preschool we decided to continue our walk just a few blocks further back to Ken's work. I would just pick him up from work later that night.

After dropping Ken off at work I stopped to talk to an old neighbor for a few minutes. As I stood there talking I noticed the weather was changing and decided I better hurry home. Within just a few minuted the sky darken, the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up. I was only about 6 blocks from my house, but I feared it was going to be a very uncomfortable ride for my two little ones that were dressed more for a spring day rather than a winter storm. I hurried home as fast I could, even jogging some, but before I could reach home the rain had started. By the time we reached our house I had a very cold, sad, crying baby. I felt so bad for him. Mckenna was a little better protected from the wind and rain, but I had nothing to bundle Daric with.

A few times on my way home I thought about the Pioneers. I was racing to make it home to my warm comfortable house that was only blocks away, yet I felt a sense of panic trying to protect my children from the wind and cold. I knew my destination was close, they had no end in sight, and they had no shelter from the cold. For a moment my heart ached imagining how very difficult that must have been for them to see their children suffer and not have the means to protect them from the bitter cold.




This is what the afternoon ended up like....

This day reminded me of another day last year that was very similar.

I had gone to one of my favorite stores (Saver's) on a sunny afternoon. I payed no attention to the time or the weather. As I left the store I found that the sunny afternoon have turned into a winter blizzard and my kids were just getting out of school. The snow was coming down so hard it was difficult to see in front of you. I was a few minutes away and by the time I could reach them they would be nearly home. Again, I felt awful that my four little people were stuck out in that horrible weather. I knew they must be cold and miserable.

By the time I made it home they were just two houses away. Two of the kids were bawling from the cold. We all made it in the house at the same time and I surveyed the situation. I noticed that Kaylie (one of the one's crying) was wearing only a light sweater. In an effort to curb my guilt I busted into a lecture about proper winter clothing. I told Kaylie that she better never go to school in just a sweater in the middle of winter ever again!

As she tried to choke back her tears she replied...I didn't mom, I gave my coat to Tyler. She had taken off her heavier jacket to give to her brother who had left his coat in the car that morning and had nothing to wear home. With tears in my eyes I hugged her to me and thanked her for being such a kind, unselfish sister. I apologized for my scolding. As I held her my heart was full and I couldn't have been more proud. She sacrificed her comfort to shield and protect her brother who had nothing. I have often thought back to her perfect example that day, and it continues to give me warm fuzzies.