Parents

Yesterday my in-laws left after living here in Arizona for over two months.

I don't think I can even begin to thank them for what they did.

I can't imagine how hard it is to lose a child at any age. It is not the natural course of things. Parents should get to die first.

Over Jacob's illness both sets of our parents have sacrificed much to help us, take care of us, comfort us, encourage us, and carry us through the rigors of his disease. They were the ones we called first in the middle of the night. They lifted us and carried us and bore with us every step of the way.

It was not always easy.

But they never gave up and were consistently there to help and encourage us and our children.

Jacob and I had discussed how, if and when his condition deteriorated and he was going to die, we would ask his parents to come and help us. He is their son and they'd expressed that they would like to be here when that time came.

They were able to rent a small furnished apartment just down the street from our home, but were here from sun up to sun down helping in any way we needed.

I don't think I can even begin to list what they did. Just think of all of the tasks it takes to care for four young children and manage a household under normal circumstances, with the added burden of losing a beloved child, and you will begin to understand the great service they gave to us.

I will love them forever. I can never repay them, but hope they know that their sacrifice will stand until the end of time as a testament to their callings as mother and father, grandmother and grandfather.

President Faust stated, "To be a good father and mother requires that parents defer many of their own needs and desires in favor of the needs of their children. As a consequence of this sacrifice, conscientious parents develop a nobility of character and learn to put into practice the selfless truths taught by the Savior Himself."

I am grateful for our two sets of parents and all that they have done, and will continue to do, in helping, blessing, encouraging and loving our family. And I am grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who will mercifully bless the lives of our children through these four amazing individuals.