11/7/07
How often do we think about the impact we make on the lives of those around us, or the impact that those around us make on our lives? Until yesterday, I never really thought about it. Some time ago, I discovered a diary here on OD with the diarist name encouragement (opens in new window). It’s a wonderful diary. Every day or so (sometimes more on the ‘or so’) there’s an uplifting thought posted. Most often it’s in someway connected to God or Jesus Christ. I suspect the person posting the entries isn’t Mormon as I am, but nonetheless, the entries really make me stop and look at my own life. Yesterday’s (Nov 6, 2007) entry was on the Road of Life. That particular entry is here (again, opens in new window.)
As a whole, it really got me thinking, but the section that really struck me consists of stanzas 7 and 8 when it talks of being given gifts, and then giving them away again because they’re too heavy to carry. It got me thinking about the commandment we’re given to share our talents with others and not hide them from the world. But then as I continued to think about it, I began to realize it also applies to those who touch our lives and who’s lives we touch. Truly, how often do we stop to think about the impact we have on others? How often do we stop and express our gratitude to all those who have left their mark on our lives by sharing their time and talents with us? I just want to share some of the people who have left their mark on my life.
Though I wasn’t even a blip on my mom’s radar (nor was my dad, for that matter), the missionaries that knocked on my mom’s door and taught her when she was 22 left their mark on my life. I wasn’t born until 9 years later, but they still left a mark. I’ve wondered from time to time if those missionaries ever wonder or can even imagine the lives they changed. In teaching my mother the gospel, in effect they taught me the gospel. Counting just me and my mother, how many people have we in turn touched? If you were to create a family tree of sorts, with the missionaries at the bottom, followed closely by my mother and then branching out to me and my brothers, then branching out further to the people we touched and so forth, how big would that tree be, I wonder? It’s only been around30 years since my mom joined the church, but really, how big would that tree be?
Then there was the guidance counselor in Taiwan at TAS. I had a lot of problems adjusting to school (in addition to the culture shock of moving to Taiwan!). Things were so bad they debated pulling me out of kindergarten and holding me back a year. However, the guidance counselor had one last suggestion – finding me a friend. The counselor did find me a friend – she found me Allison. We became best friends and I made it through kindergarten and I was off to the races from there. But I wonder how things might have been different had my parents pulled me out – had I not met Allison.
There was a husband and wife in one of our old wards that made a huge difference in my life. She was a counselor in Young Women’s when I graduated from Primary – in fact she was the second counselor. As Young Women’s was small at the time, it meant she taught my class during the third hour and she was the one I talked with when I was called to be the Beehive Class President. Later she was released as the second counselor and called to be the Young Women’s President. I have so many wonderful memories of Combined YM/YW (Young Men/Young Women – once a month, the young men and young women have a combined activity together) – some of which were parties at her apartment. Her husband was in the bishopric as well, and together they really made an impact on my life. My last year or so in that ward (Jan ’99 – July ’00) there were several temples being dedicated within driving distance (some farther than others). By that time, this sister was the Young Women’s president and she decided that she wanted to make sure each of the young women has the opportunity to attend an open house for one of these temples. I and another young woman made the trip to Louisville, KY during the Open House for that temple, which was held from March 4, 2000 through March 12, 2000. I believe it was a Saturday we went. I’ve never forgotten even a single moment of that trip. I spent the night before at that couple’s apartment (as we were leaving REALLY REALLY early in the morning) and I remember not knowing exactly how I’d feel or what the temple would look like inside. I’d been inside a temple before, but had only seen limited areas. Even though the temple hadn’t been dedicated yet, the spirit inside was….I don’t think there’s a word for it. Amazing, spiritual, awe-inspiring…even those three together don’t seem to cover it. It’s only been in the last year that I’ve really realized the impact that trip has had on my life.
Finally, the last person that really sticks out in my mind as having made a huge difference in my life is the woman who decided first that I was going to join the ward choir, and then decided I wasn’t going to be an alto anymore. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared that story before so I won’t again, except to say she made a huge difference in my life and where I am today.
When I think about the people mentioned above (and the ones not mentioned) who’ve made a difference in my life, I can only hope I’ve made a difference in someone’s life. I can only hope that I’ve given of my gifts.