hands of heaven

an interesting night is what i'd call it... i'm full of emotion even as i sit down to write. a while back, my friend's sister lost a baby, at that time i wanted to do something, anything, just to help. not knowing what i could possibly do for a family i had never met, i was inclined to purchase a small round locket and have the child's initials engraved onto the front. tonight i was able to meet her, she had the locket around her neck and it was beautiful on her. i felt touched to know that as i listened to the promptings i had that night, reading my e-mail, that maybe i had been able to help just a little, after all. if that wasn't enough to set my emotions into high gear, we were able to watch "the hands of heaven," a short film chronicling the friendship of four lds women. (it was partly inspired by the words of the late prophet, president hinckley's wife, marjorie hinckley that women need other women, that older women need the strength of younger women and that maybe the younger women may need the guidance of the older women. well, that was a terrible paraphrase, if you have the real quote, let me know where to find it!) the film was a collection of photographs taken by one of the four women set to beautiful music and narration. it was incredibly touching to be invited into their group of friends, to see how the strength of their faith and friendship helped each other through divorce, death of an infant, a near drowning of a child and infertility issues. my heart was opened and for a split second i could feel maybe a tiny bit of what these women had been through. even maybe a tiny bit of what my friend's sister has been through. watching this with her, and two of the women portrayed in the film, i found myself thanking heavenly father for being able to experience the emotions that were swelling inside my heart. i feel as if i have another turn in my life's path. one that will teach me more about empathy, listening to the promptings of the spirit and reaching out in friendship to those women with whom i am surrounded. the message i received was that even with the ugly, beautiful things do follow the hard times, and hearts can heal through faith, courage and friendships. the locket happens to be in the shape of a circle, a circle is a representation of eternity as it has no end and no beginning. each time i think of that small locket with my friend's sister i will be reminded of how their family has touched my heart forever. so, thank you lesli, stephanie and catherine, it was a beautiful night and i am happy to have spent it with friends!
p.s. for those looking for the film, it is on dvd and available to be purchased from deseret book